Issue Position: Transportation

Issue Position

Reclaiming Our Transportation System

Transportation is one of the most important quality of life issues facing our city. Subway and bus riders, drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians are all impacted by the choices their representatives in Albany and City Hall make about transit issues. Unfortunately, too many of those decisions are made from the top down, without any say from those of us who have to live with the results. With a State Senate controlled by upstate interests, New York City's share of state transportation money has been repeatedly slashed in recent years and could face further cutbacks in critical funding.

Keeping the MTA Accountable

For too long our State Legislature, which oversees the MTA, has not done enough to bring meaningful oversight to one of our most important public authorities. We need to aggressively reform and modernize the MTA, including making any legislative changes necessary to make it a functioning and accountable agency once and for all.

One solution is to give voters a stronger voice. While the MTA's decisions have a significant impact on the lives of New Yorkers, constituents have almost no say in how funds are spent or priorities determined. The result: simultaneous service cuts and fare hikes that leave riders behind. There is no reason for residents in Brooklyn to lose vital bus and train services while billions of dollars are allocated for expensive and capital projects on Metro-North and the LIRR.

It's time for riders to have their own representation on the MTA Board of Directors. New York City deserves a fair say, with at least one voting member from each borough.

Riders also deserve a comprehensive and enforceable passenger bill of rights to guarantee a safer and more accessible transit system and one that respects riders by clearly communicating service changes. While a proposal currently being considered in the State Senate is a good start, mechanisms must be created to ensure these rights are more than words on paper.

Making Our Streets Safer for Pedestrians

In 2011, more than 130 pedestrians in New York City were killed in traffic accidents, including 47 senior citizens. More pedestrians have been killed in Brooklyn over the last few years than in any other borough. This is unacceptable. Fortunately, there are effective measures to reduce such tragedies and improve safety without burdening drivers.

Neighborhoods across New York and in other cities have substantially reduced accidents by establishing targeted "slow zones," in which speeds are lowered in particularly dangerous areas. These zones have reduced traffic accidents by 40% in some areas without affecting overall traffic patterns. What about those who speed through slow zones? At least 14 states have had success in reducing crashes by installing speeding cameras in targeted areas. These devices have the endorsement of the NYPD, the DOT, and the Department of Health. With the right leadership and community input, we can finally start using proven tools like these to make our neighborhoods safer.

Bringing Fairness to Transit Funding

We need to find a permanent revenue source for our public transit system and not let the fate of our subways and buses be subject to the politics of budget games in Albany. A good start is the commuter tax, because people who live in other parts of the state but use NYC services should contribute to supporting those services. A commuter tax today could raise at least $1.4 billion for mass transit, roads, and bridges in NYC. Unfortunately, without these taxes in place, city residents foot the bill for the transportation infrastructure that they share with upstate and Long Island commuters.

Using Bike Lanes Sensibly

Like so many local residents, I enjoy biking through the neighborhood. Bike lanes help keep motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists safe, and that's important. But it's equally important that the Department of Transportation works with the community, which is best-equipped for the job anyway, to find the best place for bike lanes on our streets.

Source