Rebeka Humbrecht | rhumbrecht@siadvance.com

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Everyone had a row to themselves on Tuesday morning's uncommonly empty 8:00 a.m. ferry commute.

The usual rush to grab the right seat was calm and quiet getting onto the Manhattan-bound Samuel I. Newhouse boat.

There were even less people on the return trip to Staten Island at 8:30 a.m.

With many offices and schools functioning remotely due to coronavirus, the beginning of the workweek has been particularly empty in the city.

Yesterday the Department of Transportation (DOT) told the Advance/SILive.com that ridership was down over 70% during the Monday morning commute. Despite the reduction in riders, DOT promises that, "the ferry will continue to operate normally for those who rely on it to get to work."

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Rebeka Humbrecht | rhumbrecht@siadvance.com

On the Manhattan-bound trip, there were only three people seated facing the Statue of Liberty. (Staten Island Advance/Rebeka Humbrecht)

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Rebeka Humbrecht | rhumbrecht@siadvance.com

Many commuters wore masks and other protective gear for their trip to or from Staten Island. (Staten Island Advance/Rebeka Humbrecht)

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Rebeka Humbrecht | rhumbrecht@siadvance.com

There was only a small crowd to board the usually-busy 8:00 a.m. ferry to Manhattan. (Staten Island Advance/Rebeka Humbrecht)

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Rebeka Humbrecht | rhumbrecht@siadvance.com

The food concessions aboard the boat were closed. Usually they are open whenever a boat is operating, according to siferry.com. (Staten Island Advance/Rebeka Humbrecht)

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Rebeka Humbrecht | rhumbrecht@siadvance.com

Four people were seating on the Statue-facing deck on the commute to Staten Island. (Staten Island Advance/Rebeka Humbrecht)

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Rebeka Humbrecht | rhumbrecht@siadvance.com

Many commuters wore masks and other protective gear for their trip to or from Staten Island. (Staten Island Advance/Rebeka Humbrecht)

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Rebeka Humbrecht | rhumbrecht@siadvance.com

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Rebeka Humbrecht | rhumbrecht@siadvance.com

Many commuters wore masks and other protective gear for their trip to or from Staten Island. (Staten Island Advance/Rebeka Humbrecht)

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Rebeka Humbrecht | rhumbrecht@siadvance.com

Those who did take the Manhattan-bound ferry sat apart and some wore protective gear. (Staten Island Advance/Rebeka Humbrecht)

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Rebeka Humbrecht | rhumbrecht@siadvance.com

There were no tourists or commuters peering out of the windows for a view of the Statue of Liberty or Manhattan on the Staten Island-bound 8:30 a.m. trip. (Staten Island Advance/Rebeka Humbrecht)

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Rebeka Humbrecht | rhumbrecht@siadvance.com

Many commuters wore masks and other protective gear for their trip to or from Staten Island. (Staten Island Advance/Rebeka Humbrecht)

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Rebeka Humbrecht | rhumbrecht@siadvance.com

The usually-crowded windows facing the Statue of Liberty had only one viewer on the Manhattan-bound trip. (Staten Island Advance/Rebeka Humbrecht)

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Rebeka Humbrecht | rhumbrecht@siadvance.com

The windows are lowered to create open spaces that allow passengers to spread out, according to DOT. (Staten Island Advance/Rebeka Humbrecht)

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Rebeka Humbrecht | rhumbrecht@siadvance.com

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Rebeka Humbrecht | rhumbrecht@siadvance.com

A small crowd gathered around the door for the 8:30 a.m. Staten Island bound ferry. (Staten Island Advance/Rebeka Humbrecht)

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Rebeka Humbrecht | rhumbrecht@siadvance.com

The Verrazzano-facing deck only seated a few people on the Manhattan-bound ferry. (Staten Island Advance/Rebeka Humbrecht)

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Rebeka Humbrecht | rhumbrecht@siadvance.com

Those who did take the ferry sat apart and some wore protective gear. (Staten Island Advance/Rebeka Humbrecht)

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