Staten Island Streets Bleed—Leaders Stall, Kids Die

A Mazda SUV turned left on Forest Avenue, its front end smashing into a 68-year-old man crossing in the marked walk. He fell, struck his head, and died alone in the cold morning. The driver failed to yield and paid no attention.

According to the police report, a 68-year-old man was crossing Forest Avenue at Raymond Place in the marked crosswalk when a Mazda SUV, traveling north and making a left turn, struck him with its center front end. The report states the pedestrian suffered a fatal head injury and died at the scene. The driver’s actions are cited as 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction.' The narrative notes the man was crossing in the marked walk, emphasizing his lawful presence in the intersection. No contributing factors are listed for the pedestrian. The crash occurred in the early morning, leaving the victim unconscious and alone. The report centers the driver’s failure to yield and inattention as the primary causes of this fatal collision.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4784160 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Tony Simone pushes a bill to force the MTA to install platform barriers citywide. He cites a near-fatal shove in his district. The plan uses congestion pricing funds. The goal: stop deadly falls and attacks. Riders demand safety. Simone wants action, not talk.

Bill number pending. On January 6, 2025, Council Member Tony Simone announced a legislative push to require the MTA to install platform screen doors and gates system-wide within five years. The bill, still in proposal stage, will move through the relevant council committee. Simone’s proposal comes after a spate of subway violence, including a recent shove onto tracks in his district. The bill summary states: 'My legislation will require the MTA to install platform screen doors and gates system-wide within five years.' Simone urges the use of congestion pricing revenue for these safety upgrades, arguing, 'No priority is higher on any rider's mind, including mine, than safety on the system.' Simone is the primary sponsor. The measure aims to prevent fatal and dangerous falls and shoves, focusing on protecting riders from harm.

• Spate of violence in NYC subways prompts call for more train platform barriers, amny.com, Published 2025-01-06

Lawmakers face a $33 billion MTA budget gap. The new Manhattan congestion toll hits drivers, but it is not enough. Senate leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins objects to the unfunded plan. More taxes and fees loom. Riders wait. Streets stay dangerous.

On January 6, 2025, the MTA’s $33 billion budget shortfall dominated debate. The matter, titled "MTA eyes new taxes, fees to plug $33B budget hole — even after NYC’s $9 congestion toll!", landed in the spotlight after the new toll failed to close the gap. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, district 35, formally objected to the unfunded capital plan with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. Their joint letter blocked the plan’s January 1 start, forcing negotiations. Governor Hochul, who backs the $68 billion plan, promised no income tax hikes but left other taxes and fees on the table. Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger called for transparency. The MTA’s future—and the safety of those who rely on it—hangs in the balance. No direct safety analysis for vulnerable road users was provided.

• MTA eyes new taxes, fees to plug $33B budget hole — even after NYC’s $9 congestion toll!, nypost.com, Published 2025-01-06

A sedan rear-ended a stopped SUV on Staten Island Expressway. Both drivers hurt. Police cite improper lane use and failure to keep right. Impact left bruises and whiplash. System failed to protect.

According to the police report, a sedan traveling west struck the left rear bumper of a stopped SUV on the Staten Island Expressway at 4:49 AM. Both drivers were injured. The 31-year-old male sedan driver suffered contusions to his knee, lower leg, and foot. The 64-year-old female SUV driver sustained neck whiplash. Both were conscious and wore lap belts and harnesses. The report lists 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' and 'Failure to Keep Right' as driver errors. 'View Obstructed/Limited' was also cited for both drivers. The crash highlights systemic dangers when drivers fail to keep right and misuse lanes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783466 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Governor Hochul halted Manhattan’s congestion pricing days before launch. Years of planning and billions for transit hung in the balance. The MTA froze upgrades. Hochul revived the toll months later, but trust and funding took the hit. Riders and streets paid the price.

Bill: Congestion pricing for Manhattan’s Central Business District. Status: Paused by Governor Hochul on June 5, 2024, revived at a lower $9 base in November. No council committee; this was a state action. Hochul’s last-minute reversal stalled the June 30 launch, freezing MTA modernization and risking a $15 billion shortfall. The matter: 'Governor Hochul called off congestion pricing’s scheduled June 30 launch date, despite years of planning and preparation and the MTA’s reliance on the expected revenue.' Hochul defended her pause, then reversed course after the election. Former Governor Cuomo and Hochul both failed to deliver the toll on time. Lawsuits and political delays threaten the future of New York’s transit system. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• 2024 in Review: The Year Congestion Pricing Almost Finally Happened (Again), Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-30

Lyft raised Citi Bike e-bike fees again. This marks the third hike in a year. Per-minute rates climb for both members and non-members. Unlock fees go up. Annual membership holds steady. Riders grumble. The city’s price caps hold. Expansion plans continue.

On December 29, 2024, Lyft announced its third Citi Bike fare increase since the start of the year. The company, which operates the bike-share system under a city contract, will raise e-bike rates from 24 to 25 cents per minute for members and from 36 to 38 cents for non-members. Non-member unlock fees rise to $4.99. Annual membership remains at $219.99. The Adams administration negotiated price caps in 2023; Lyft’s new rates stay below those limits. The matter summary notes, 'Lyft's latest increases still fall below those caps—even as they earned mild jeers from regular users.' No council members are directly involved, as this is a company action, not legislation. The fare hikes frustrate riders, but the city’s price controls and system expansion to new neighborhoods continue.

• Lyft Hikes Citi Bike Fees For Third Time Since Start of 2024, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-29

An 18-year-old male pedestrian crossing Port Richmond Ave was struck by an SUV traveling north. The impact injured his entire body, causing shock and pain. Slippery pavement contributed to the crash, complicating vehicle control and response.

According to the police report, an 18-year-old male pedestrian was injured after being hit by a 2020 Hyundai SUV traveling north on Port Richmond Ave at 19:15. The pedestrian was crossing outside a signal or crosswalk when the collision occurred. The vehicle struck the pedestrian with its right front bumper, sustaining damage to that area. The report cites slippery pavement as a contributing factor, indicating hazardous road conditions that likely impaired the driver's ability to maintain control. No driver license issues were noted, but the environmental condition played a role in the crash. The pedestrian suffered injuries to his entire body, experienced shock, and complained of pain or nausea. The report does not list any pedestrian behaviors as contributing factors, focusing instead on the vehicle's interaction with the pedestrian and the slippery road surface.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782464 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Two sedans crashed head-to-back on Manor Road. Both drivers injured. Police cite inattention and improper turning. Metal twisted. No pedestrians involved.

According to the police report, two sedans traveling north on Manor Road collided, with one striking the other from behind. The 31-year-old female driver suffered abdominal and pelvic bruising. The 46-year-old male driver sustained whiplash. Both wore lap belts and harnesses and remained conscious after the crash. Police list 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Turning Improperly' as contributing factors. No actions by the injured drivers contributed to the crash beyond these errors. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782498 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Mayor Adams missed legal targets for bus and bike lanes. DOT built only a fraction of what the law demands. Commutes drag for the city’s poorest. Council and advocates slam the mayor. Streets stay dangerous. Promises broken. Riders and walkers pay the price.

On December 27, 2024, the Adams administration again failed to meet the 2019 Streets Plan’s legal requirements. The Department of Transportation installed just five miles of protected bus lanes and 22 miles of protected bike lanes—far below the law’s 30 and 50 mile minimums. This marks the third straight year of missed targets. The City Council, led by Speaker Adrienne Adams, is considering legislation for stricter tracking. Speaker Adams called the benchmarks 'critical for street safety,' and her spokesperson Mara Davis criticized DOT for 'consistently fall[ing] short of complying with the law.' Advocates like Philip Miatkowski and Danny Pearlstein condemned the mayor’s neglect. The poorest New Yorkers wait longer for slow buses. Streets remain unsafe. The law is ignored. Vulnerable road users suffer.

• Worst Mayor Ever for Bus Riders? Adams’s ‘Streets Plan’ Failure Means Longer Commutes for the Poorest New Yorkers, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-27

Mayor Adams broke the law. His team built too few bus lanes and bike paths. Commutes drag. Riders and cyclists pay the price. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams called out DOT’s failure. The city’s poorest wait longer. Streets stay dangerous. Promises broken.

On December 27, 2024, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (District 28) condemned the Adams administration for failing to meet the 2019 Streets Plan’s legal requirements. The Department of Transportation installed only about five miles of protected bus lanes and 22 miles of protected bike lanes—far below the mandated 30 and 50 miles. The matter, titled 'Worst Mayor Ever for Bus Riders? Adams's Streets Plan Failure Means Longer Commutes for the Poorest New Yorkers,' highlights how DOT’s underperformance has slowed bus speeds and left vulnerable road users exposed. Speaker Adams, through spokesperson Mara Davis, called the Streets Plan benchmarks 'critical for street safety' and criticized DOT for 'consistently fall[ing] short of complying with the law.' Pending legislation seeks more transparency. The city’s neglect leaves riders and cyclists in danger, with no relief in sight.

• Worst Mayor Ever for Bus Riders? Adams's 'Streets Plan' Failure Means Longer Commutes for the Poorest New Yorkers, streetsblog.org, Published 2024-12-27

Two men suffered whiplash injuries in a Staten Island crash involving two sedans. The impact struck the left front bumpers as both vehicles traveled straight. Unsafe speed by one driver contributed to the violent collision and injuries.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Tompkins Avenue in Staten Island at midnight. Both vehicles were traveling straight ahead when the collision occurred at their left front bumpers. The driver of one sedan, an 18-year-old male, was cited for unsafe speed, a key contributing factor to the crash. The driver was wearing a lap belt and harness and sustained whiplash injuries. A 44-year-old male passenger in the other sedan also suffered whiplash and a head injury. Neither occupant was ejected from their vehicles. The report lists no contributing factors related to the victims. The crash demonstrates the dangers posed by excessive speed in multi-vehicle collisions, resulting in serious injuries to vehicle occupants.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782492 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan tore down Goethals Road North, smashing into an SUV mid-turn. Steel twisted. A 30-year-old man took the impact headfirst, blood streaking the dash. He stayed conscious. The road stayed cold. Speed left its mark.

A violent crash unfolded on Goethals Road North near Western Avenue as a speeding sedan collided with a station wagon/SUV that was making a right turn, according to the police report. The report states, 'A speeding sedan slammed an SUV mid-turn. Steel crumpled.' The impact left a 30-year-old male occupant with severe head lacerations; he remained conscious at the scene. The police report lists 'Unsafe Speed' as the primary contributing factor. The sedan was traveling straight ahead, while the SUV was turning, and the crash resulted in significant damage to both vehicles. The injured man was not wearing a seatbelt, but the report does not cite this as a contributing factor to the crash itself. The focus remains on the excessive speed of the sedan, which led to the violent collision and serious injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782462 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Albany leaders blocked the MTA’s $65 billion rescue. Trains and buses will keep running on borrowed time. Upgrades stall. Riders wait. The city’s lifeline frays. Vulnerable New Yorkers—walkers, cyclists, straphangers—face more risk as the system crumbles.

""Millions of riders are depending on Albany leaders to put together a capital program that fixes and upgrades the subway from all of the deferred maintenance of past decades and to anticipate all of the new challenges associated with climate change from extreme heat to rising seas to heavy rainfall."" -- Charles Fall

On December 24, 2024, state legislative leaders, including Andrea Stewart-Cousins of District 35, rejected the MTA’s $65.4 billion capital plan. The plan, reviewed by the Capital Plan Review Board, aimed to restore and upgrade New York’s aging mass transit. Stewart-Cousins and Carl Heastie cited a $33 billion funding gap, stating, 'The proposed program currently faces a significant funding deficit... which is a specific concern that needs to be addressed before we can approve the program.' The rejection halts contracts for new train cars and electrical upgrades. The MTA now has ten days to respond. This move follows delays from Governor Hochul’s congestion pricing pause. Advocates warn that without funding, the system risks breakdowns and fare hikes. Riders, especially those without cars, are left exposed as the city’s transit backbone weakens.

• NY legislative leaders reject MTA's $65B plan to fix mass transit infrastructure, gothamist.com, Published 2024-12-24

2024 saw bold moves and setbacks for street safety. Congestion pricing staggered forward. Pedestrian braking tech became law. Atlanta banned right-on-red. Cities poured millions into transit. Yet, the death toll from cars barely budged. Streets remain dangerous. The fight continues.

This is a year-in-review, not a single bill, but it covers major 2024 policy actions. Streetsblog’s December 23, 2024 recap highlights the struggle to end car carnage. The piece notes, 'America's first-ever congestion pricing program had been paused at the 11th hour... brought back in November, though in a sadly diminished form.' USDOT approved a rule for automatic pedestrian emergency braking in new cars. Atlanta passed a right-on-red ban. St. Louis invested $300 million in sustainable transport. Canadian leaders pushed for high car registration fees to fund transit. No single council member is named; instead, the review tracks national and local leaders’ actions. The article underscores that, despite new laws and investments, systemic danger remains. Streetsblog’s coverage centers the ongoing risks to pedestrians and cyclists, showing that progress is slow and incomplete.

• Streetsblog Year in Review: The Biggest Sustainable Transport News of 2024, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-23

Two sedans collided on Richmond Terrace in Staten Island. The female driver suffered shoulder and upper arm injuries with whiplash. Police cite steering failure and driver distraction as causes. Both vehicles sustained left-side damage in the impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:20 on Richmond Terrace, Staten Island, involving two sedans traveling in opposite directions. The female driver, age 35, was injured with upper arm and shoulder trauma and complained of whiplash. The report identifies 'Steering Failure' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors for the injured driver. The collision impact was on the left front bumper of one vehicle and the left side doors of the other. Both vehicles sustained damage consistent with the described points of impact. The injured driver was wearing a lap belt and was not ejected from the vehicle. The male driver of the other sedan was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the crash. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors, focusing on vehicle control failure and driver distraction as the primary causes.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4782493 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 28-year-old man crossing Manor Road away from an intersection was struck by a northbound sedan. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, leaving the pedestrian with bruises and lower leg injuries. The vehicle showed no damage despite the impact.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old male pedestrian was injured while crossing Manor Road in Staten Island at 12:46 PM. The pedestrian was not at an intersection or crosswalk when the collision occurred. The driver, operating a 2023 Infiniti sedan traveling northbound and going straight ahead, impacted the pedestrian with the right front bumper. The report explicitly cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The pedestrian suffered contusions and injuries to the knee, lower leg, and foot but remained conscious. The vehicle sustained no damage. No pedestrian behaviors were listed as contributing factors. This crash highlights the dangers posed by distracted driving even when pedestrians are outside marked crossings.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780353 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

MTA greenlights $1.27 billion for new subway cars. Fares will jump to $3 per ride. Council Member Holden calls the hikes and congestion tolls a scam. Riders face higher costs as the agency touts safety and reliability. Critics see waste, not progress.

On December 18, 2024, the MTA approved a $1.27 billion purchase of 435 new subway cars and a fare hike to $3 per ride. The move comes weeks before new congestion tolls hit Manhattan. The matter, titled 'MTA plans fare hike as it OKs $1.27B train car purchase weeks before new congestion toll: ‘Keep the grift alive’,' drew fire from Council Member Robert F. Holden (District 30), who called the fare and toll hikes a 'scam' and accused the MTA of mismanagement. Holden’s comments echo broader council criticism of the MTA’s spending and question the effectiveness of congestion pricing. MTA officials defend the investment, citing improved reliability and safety with the new R211 cars. No independent safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users. The bill’s status is an approved agency action, not a council vote.

• MTA plans fare hike as it OKs $1.27B train car purchase weeks before new congestion toll: ‘Keep the grift alive’, nypost.com, Published 2024-12-18

Governor Hochul offered New Jersey over $100 million to settle the congestion pricing lawsuit. Governor Murphy rejected the deal. Transit riders face higher fares and unreliable service. The legal fight drags on. Streets stay dangerous. Cars keep winning.

On December 18, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul announced that New Jersey rejected a 'very generous' settlement offer to end its lawsuit against New York’s congestion pricing plan. The matter, reported by Streetsblog NYC, centers on New York’s offer of over $100 million for New Jersey Transit, potentially as an annual payment from congestion toll revenue. Hochul said, 'We've made multiple offers to settle this lawsuit. Very generous offers.' New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy refused, risking further strain on NJ Transit, which recently raised fares 15 percent. Riders Alliance’s Betsy Plum called Murphy’s stance 'a stubbornness tax' paid by transit riders. Environmental advocates criticized Murphy for blocking improvements to public transportation. The congestion pricing program, set to be the nation’s first, remains tied up in court. No safety analyst has formally assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• NJ Refusing ‘Generous’ Congestion Pricing Lawsuit $ettlement, Hochul Says, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-18

MTA unveiled its final Queens bus overhaul. Seventeen new routes, more frequent service, but cuts on 29 lines. Rush routes aim to speed riders to trains. Public feedback starts January. MTA Board votes in winter. Rollout set for summer 2025.

The MTA announced its final Queens bus network redesign on December 18, 2024. The plan, now entering its last public feedback phase, will be reviewed by the MTA Board in early winter 2025 and implemented by late summer. The proposal includes over $30 million in new funding, 17 new local routes, and increased frequency for 17 lines, but also service reductions on 29 routes. The main highlight is the introduction of 'rush' routes to connect riders to rail faster. MTA Chair Janno Lieber said, 'Every change to a route has an impact on the schedule... and we did it.' Queens Borough President Donovan Richards voiced support, stating, 'I'm ready. We're ready.' The process began in 2019 and was shaped by extensive community input. No formal safety analysis was provided for vulnerable road users.

• The Queens Bus Redesign Is Finished. Probably, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-12-18

SUV slammed into stopped sedan on Tompkins Avenue. Driver distracted. SUV driver bruised, stayed conscious. Rear-end impact crushed metal. Sedan driver unhurt.

According to the police report, a northbound SUV crashed into the back of a stopped sedan at 484 Tompkins Avenue, Staten Island, at 14:24. The SUV driver, a 42-year-old man, suffered a back contusion but remained conscious and was not ejected. The sedan driver, also male, was not injured. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor. The SUV struck the sedan's center rear, causing front-end damage to the SUV and rear-end damage to the sedan. No other factors were cited in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4779623 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04