Ulrika Bengtsson is on her way to work. She says getting there is easy and convenient thanks to the new NYC Ferry service between Soundview and Manhattan.

“We love the ferry. It has totally changed our lives. We actually moved here because of the ferry. We used to live in Manhattan before. We decided that when the commute got a little bit easier, that this was a good move for us,” said Bengtsson.

The city-subsidized service launched last August, the only NYC Ferry route in the Bronx. For $2.75, commuters can travel from the Soundview-Clason Point neighborhoods to Wall Street in about 45 minutes. Some regular riders say it has slashed their commutes in half.

“Having the ferry and having the set schedule and making it very convenient to download on your phone and get tickets. It was the best. It’s awesome,” said Jane Davis.

Many riders apparently feel the same way. The route carried 680,000 people during its first year, shattering estimates of just over $400,000 riders. But the gain of commuters has created pain for some Soundview residents who say ferry riders are hogging parking in the neighborhood.

“It’s good for them, and I can see their time for transportation in the morning is short, but how about us? The people that have been here 20, 30, 40, 50 years and a lot of people are thinking of moving out,” said Henry Pelayo, CB 9 Treasurer.

The city says most ferry-riders are locals who walk or use the expanded bus service to get there. They are aware of the parking issue and are working closely with elected officials to identify other potential parking areas, but none have been found within walking distance of the ferry landing.

Some members of the local community board say this vacant baseball field is the perfect choice for a parking lot because its right next to the ferry terminal and it’s not being used. They also say they’ve made the suggestion to the city.

“Like everything, you have to start somewhere and then development from there. Make improvements and adjustments,” said Bengtsson.

She agrees that one of those improvements should be a parking lot.