The Blood Stays—Until City Hall Moves

Aug 16 - MTA leaders blasted the city for killing Fordham Road bus lane upgrades. Paint and ticket blitzes failed. Bus speeds barely moved. Riders remain stuck in traffic. Cars clog lanes. Promised fixes scrapped. Advocates demand real action. The city stalls. Riders suffer.

On August 16, 2024, MTA officials sent a scathing letter to DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, criticizing the city’s decision to abandon plans to upgrade Fordham Road’s curbside bus lanes to offset bus lanes. The letter, signed by outgoing NYCT President Richard Davey and interim successor Demetrius Crichlow, called the city’s paint-and-enforcement approach a 'total bust.' The MTA cited new data showing bus speeds increased just 2–4 percent since October 2022—far below the 15 percent target. The matter summary reads: 'The Fordham Road project enjoys widespread support from transit advocacy groups, and Fordham Road bus riders, who have been enduring slow service for decades.' Council involvement is not specified, but the MTA’s letter and Riders Alliance’s Danny Pearlstein both demand stronger measures. The city’s inaction leaves Bronx bus riders stranded in slow traffic, with vulnerable road users paying the price for political compromise.

• FOIL’D: MTA Leadership Assailed DOT for Failing to Boost Fordham Road Bus Speeds, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-16

Aug 15 - City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

Aug 11 - Two sedans collided on Manhattan’s FDR Drive, injuring three men. The crash caused neck and arm injuries with whiplash complaints. Police cited improper passing or lane usage as the cause. All occupants were conscious and restrained by lap belts.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on FDR Drive near the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan at 8:15 p.m. Two sedans traveling north collided, with one vehicle impacting the center back end of the other. The report identifies "Passing or Lane Usage Improper" as the contributing factor, indicating driver error in maneuvering lanes. Three male occupants were injured: a 51-year-old driver with neck injuries and whiplash, a 35-year-old driver with elbow and arm injuries and whiplash, and a 30-year-old front passenger with neck injuries and whiplash. All were conscious and wearing lap belts at the time of the crash. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors. The collision highlights risks from improper lane changes on a busy highway.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747882 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 11 - A new report finds alternatives to congestion pricing fall short. They raise less money, miss traffic cuts, and skip air quality gains. The MTA faces a funding gap. Modernization stalls. Riders and streets lose. Council Member Weprin is mentioned.

On August 11, 2024, Council Member David Weprin (District 24) was mentioned in a report examining alternatives to congestion pricing for MTA funding. The Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC) found that 'various proposals to replace the mass transit money lost from pausing congestion pricing either don’t raise the same revenue or fail to achieve other benefits such as reduced traffic from the Manhattan toll.' The report, reviewed by Weprin, details that none of the eight alternatives—ranging from payroll taxes to casino revenue—would match congestion pricing’s $1 billion annual yield or its bondable value. Lisa Daglian, PCAC’s executive director, said these options either fall short on funding or burden working New Yorkers, while missing out on cleaner air and less traffic. The MTA has suspended billions in modernization work. The pause leaves vulnerable riders and city streets exposed.

• How do MTA funding alternatives compare to congestion pricing? Not well, says a new report, amny.com, Published 2024-08-11

Aug 10 - An e-scooter, fast and unyielding, hit an 11-year-old girl off the roadway on South Street. Her face split open. She stayed conscious, blood pooling on the sidewalk. The scooter kept going, untouched, leaving pain and silence behind.

According to the police report, an e-scooter traveling at unsafe speed struck an 11-year-old girl off the roadway near South Street and Maiden Lane in Manhattan. The report states the girl was not in the roadway at the time of impact. She suffered severe lacerations to her face but remained conscious. The narrative describes the scooter as 'fast and straight,' making contact with the child and then continuing on without stopping. The police report cites 'Unsafe Speed' and 'Aggressive Driving/Road Rage' as contributing factors. The e-scooter sustained no damage, and the driver did not remain at the scene. The report does not list any victim behavior as a contributing factor. The collision underscores the danger posed by high-speed vehicles, even off the main roadway, and the consequences of reckless operation.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4748096 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 5 - A motorcycle struck a parked SUV on FDR Drive late at night. The motorcyclist, partially ejected and wearing a helmet, suffered full-body injuries and shock. Police cite driver inattention and other vehicular factors as causes in this violent impact.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 22:56 on FDR Drive when a motorcycle traveling north struck a parked SUV. The SUV was stationary with its left rear bumper impacted at the center back end. The motorcyclist, also traveling north and slowing or stopping before impact, collided front center with the SUV. The motorcyclist, a 49-year-old male occupant wearing a helmet, was partially ejected and sustained injuries to his entire body, resulting in shock. The report lists 'Other Vehicular' and 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as contributing factors, highlighting driver errors on the motorcycle operator's part. No victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors. The crash underscores the dangers posed by inattentive driving around stationary vehicles.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4748814 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Aug 2 - Governor Hochul halted congestion pricing, claiming sole authority. She called on lawmakers to fix the MTA’s $15-billion gap. Critics say she overreaches. Transit advocates warn: without tolls, transit funding collapses. The law stands. The pause endangers New Yorkers who rely on safe streets.

On August 2, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul publicly defended her June 5 decision to 'pause' New York’s congestion pricing law. Speaking at a Colorado think tank, Hochul insisted, 'Pause is a pause until I say it's not a pause.' She urged the state legislature to address the $15-billion MTA funding shortfall, stating, 'The legislature has to come back and find a solution.' Congestion pricing, passed in 2019, was designed to fund transit and reduce deadly traffic. Critics, including transit advocates and policy experts, challenged Hochul’s authority and accuracy, noting her claims about economic hardship and London’s tolls were misleading. Hochul’s unilateral move leaves the law in limbo and threatens the future of safe, reliable transit for millions of New Yorkers. No council members were directly involved in this executive action.

• Crazy Talk: In New Speech, Hochul Declares Dictatorial Powers, But Also Begs Legislature for Bailout, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-02

Jul 26 - A sedan plowed into a stopped taxi near Broadway. The cabbie, trapped and bleeding, waited for help. Police cited driver distraction. The sedan driver had no license. Metal screamed. The street fell silent.

According to the police report, a sedan crashed into a stopped taxi near 160 Broadway in Manhattan. The taxi driver, a 39-year-old man, was trapped inside his vehicle with severe lacerations. The report states the sedan driver was unlicensed and lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor. The sedan struck the taxi's right rear bumper with its center front end. The narrative describes the cabbie lying trapped, blood slicking the seat, as the street held its breath. No evidence in the report suggests any error or contributing factor on the part of the taxi driver. The focus remains on the unlicensed, distracted sedan driver whose actions led directly to the crash and injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746073 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 24 - State Sen. Jeremy Cooney calls out Governor Hochul. He demands a 100-day plan to fill the $16.5 billion MTA gap left by her congestion pricing pause. Projects for safer, more accessible transit hang in the balance. Albany leaders mostly stay silent.

On July 24, 2024, State Sen. Jeremy Cooney, new chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, issued a public demand for Governor Hochul to deliver a '100-day plan' to replace the $16.5 billion MTA funding shortfall caused by her cancellation of congestion pricing. In his op-ed, Cooney wrote, 'the time for debating the merits of congestion pricing has passed,' urging the governor to convene finance, labor, and passenger representatives to find a solution. Cooney’s push comes as the MTA faces threats to station accessibility, signal upgrades, and new trains and buses. Other Albany leaders, including Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate President Andrea Stewart-Cousins, have offered little response. Senate Finance Chair Liz Krueger called Hochul’s move illegal. The bill or action is not numbered, but the committee involved is the Senate Transportation Committee. No direct safety analyst note was provided, but the loss of funding jeopardizes projects vital to vulnerable road users.

• Hochul Must Put Up or Shut Up on Congestion Pricing, New Senate Transportation Chair Says, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-24

Jul 24 - Senator Jeremy Cooney blasted Governor Hochul’s halt of congestion pricing. He called for a 100-day plan to fill the $16.5 billion MTA gap. The pause means fewer upgrades, dirtier buses, and stalled accessibility. Passengers and workers across New York pay the price.

On July 24, 2024, State Senator Jeremy Cooney, new chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, demanded action after Governor Hochul’s abrupt June 5 decision to pause congestion pricing. In an op-ed, Cooney wrote, “The time for debating the merits of congestion pricing has passed, what is most important is keeping our promise to the passengers and workers impacted across the state.” He urged Hochul to deliver a 100-day plan to replace the $16.5 billion MTA shortfall, either by alternative funding or reinstating tolls. Cooney warned that the pause means less expansion, less accessibility, dirtier buses, older trains, and outdated signals. The impact hits every region, but especially vulnerable transit riders who rely on safe, modern service.

• Hochul Must Put Up or Shut Up on Congestion Pricing, New Senate Transportation Chair Says, streetsblog.org, Published 2024-07-24

Jul 23 - Gov. Hochul’s pause on congestion pricing slams the brakes on 23 planned subway elevators. Disabled New Yorkers are stranded. The city’s promise of mobility is broken. Crowded stations stay deadly. Lawmakers offer no fix. Riders wait. Danger remains.

On July 23, 2024, advocates condemned Governor Hochul’s decision to pause congestion pricing, a move that halted funding for 23 new subway elevators. The action, detailed in 'Disabled NYer’s are Victims of Gov. Hochul’s Congestion Pricing Pause,' leaves tens of thousands without access. Michelle Alcaraz and Ray Ray, both disabled New Yorkers, are forced to travel far from home or avoid transit altogether. The MTA’s $16 billion in scheduled repairs, including crucial accessibility upgrades, is now in limbo. Joe Rappaport of the Brooklyn Center for the Independence of the Disabled called on the governor and legislature to restore funding, warning that the lack of elevators treats disabled riders as 'second-class citizens.' The pause keeps stations dangerous for parents, caregivers, and the disabled. Lawmakers have yet to offer a solution.

• Disabled NYer’s are Victims of Gov. Hochul’s Congestion Pricing Pause, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-23

Jul 20 - A 24-year-old woman crossing Broadway at Rector Street was hit by a northbound bike. She suffered a fractured knee and lower leg injury. Police cite failure to yield right-of-way and pedestrian confusion as contributing factors in the collision.

According to the police report, a 24-year-old female pedestrian was injured while crossing Broadway near Rector Street in Manhattan at 10 p.m. The pedestrian sustained a fracture and dislocation to her knee and lower leg. The collision involved a northbound bike traveling straight ahead, which struck the pedestrian at its center front end. The report identifies 'Failure to Yield Right-of-Way' by the bike operator and 'Pedestrian/Bicyclist/Other Pedestrian Error/Confusion' as contributing factors. The pedestrian was crossing without a signal or crosswalk, but the report emphasizes driver error and systemic danger rather than victim fault. The bike had no occupants other than the driver, and the impact caused damage to the bike's center front end.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4743196 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 18 - A southbound SUV struck the rear of a box truck on West Street. The truck driver suffered elbow and arm abrasions. Police cite driver inattention as the cause. Both vehicles sustained center-end damage. The truck driver was restrained and not ejected.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on West Street at 15:20 when a southbound SUV collided with the center back end of a box truck traveling in the same direction. The box truck driver, a 49-year-old man, was injured with abrasions to his elbow, lower arm, and hand. He was wearing a lap belt and harness and was not ejected from the vehicle. The report identifies driver inattention or distraction as the contributing factor to the collision. Both vehicles sustained damage at their center ends—the SUV at the front and the truck at the rear. The SUV driver held a valid New York license. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved, and no victim behaviors were noted as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742228 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 15 - A 70-year-old woman driving a sedan in Manhattan lost consciousness, causing a crash that injured her head. The vehicle struck an object with its right front bumper. The driver was not ejected but suffered shock and head injury.

According to the police report, a 70-year-old female driver operating a 2019 Subaru sedan traveling north on William Street in Manhattan lost consciousness while driving. This medical event, cited as the primary contributing factor, led to a collision impacting the vehicle's right front bumper. The driver sustained a head injury and was in shock but was not ejected from the vehicle. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as the key driver error, with no other contributing factors noted. The driver was licensed in New York and was going straight ahead before the crash. No pedestrian or cyclist involvement was reported, and no victim behaviors were cited as contributing factors.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4741732 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 9 - Sedans and an ambulance collided on FDR Drive. An 86-year-old woman in the front seat suffered head injuries and shock. Police cite driver inattention and close following as causes. Metal crumpled. Pain followed.

According to the police report, a chain-reaction crash on FDR Drive at 12:18 involved multiple sedans and an ambulance. The report lists 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as the main contributing factors. An 86-year-old female passenger, restrained by a lap belt and harness in the middle front seat, suffered head injuries and was in shock. She was not ejected but complained of pain and nausea. Vehicles were traveling northbound, with impacts to the center front and back ends, showing a rear-end collision sequence. The ambulance had damage to its left front bumper, while sedans showed damage to their center front and back ends. The report highlights driver inattention and close following as the causes, with no fault assigned to the injured passenger.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739298 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jul 5 - DOT aims to extend protected bike and bus lanes on Third Avenue in Harlem. The corridor is deadly—430 injuries in four years. Some want parking. Others want safety. The design is not final. DOT returns to the board in fall.

On July 5, 2024, the Department of Transportation proposed extending the 'complete street' redesign of Third Avenue from 96th to 128th Street in Harlem. The plan, discussed before the Community Board, would add a bus lane and a protected bike lane. DOT calls the corridor a Vision Zero Priority Corridor, citing 430 injuries from 2019 to 2023, including deaths and serious harm to cyclists and pedestrians. DOT's Rosy Doud said, 'We’re really seeing a need here to make some safety improvements.' Board member Kenneth Crouch supported protected lanes, while Chair Jose Altamirano pushed to limit parking loss. Delivery worker Naquan described drivers 'always trying to run me off the road.' The design is not final. DOT will return in the fall for further review.

• DOT Plans Third Avenue Complete Street Expansion in Harlem, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-05

Jul 2 - Albany stalls. The MTA faces a $15 billion hole. Lawmakers argue over reviving congestion pricing with a lower toll. Transit hangs in the balance. Streets stay clogged. Riders and walkers wait for answers. No fix. No funding. Danger lingers.

On July 2, 2024, state lawmakers, including Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (District 47), debated the future of congestion pricing and MTA funding. The matter, reported as 'MTA in dark over Gov. Hochul’s talks to revive congestion pricing with lower tolls,' highlights confusion and division. Hoylman-Sigal supports lowering the toll, saying, 'The goal should be mend it don’t end it.' He urges keeping the program alive to save mass transit. Sen. Liz Krueger is open to tweaks if goals are met. Assemblyman Gary Pretlow opposes any revival. The MTA faces a $15 billion shortfall after the program’s pause. Policy experts warn that lowering the toll could weaken congestion relief and transit funding. No clear plan exists. Vulnerable road users remain at risk as gridlock and uncertainty persist.

• MTA in dark over Gov. Hochul’s talks to revive congestion pricing with lower tolls: ‘I don’t know anything’, nypost.com, Published 2024-07-02

Jun 28 - City Council raised Fair Fares eligibility. Now, more low-income New Yorkers get half-price MetroCards. The move adds $10 million to the program. Over one million people now qualify. Councilmember Brannan calls it a step for equity. Advocates want more.

On June 28, 2024, the City Council expanded the Fair Fares MetroCard program, raising eligibility from 120% to 145% of the federal poverty line. The change, part of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, was championed by Council Finance Chair Justin Brannan. The bill increases access for individuals earning up to $21,837 and families of four earning $45,240. The council added $10 million in funding, bringing the total to over $100 million annually. Brannan and economist James Parrott wrote, 'By expanding the reach of Fair Fares, we can ensure that all New Yorkers—particularly those who are already struggling during a crisis of affordability—can fully participate in the economic, social, and cultural opportunities of our city.' The expansion boosts eligibility from 932,000 to just over 1 million people. Advocates and Speaker Adrienne Adams say it is a win, but still short of the 200% threshold they seek.

• First On amNY: Eligibility for city’s half-price MetroCard program boosted to 145% of federal poverty line in city budget: sources, amny.com, Published 2024-06-28

Jun 26 - Governor Hochul halted congestion pricing. The MTA slashed $16 billion in upgrades. Subway signals, elevators, new trains, and electric buses now wait. Riders face old, broken systems. Promised fixes vanish. Vulnerable New Yorkers lose safe, reliable transit. The crisis deepens.

On June 26, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul announced an 'indefinite pause' on congestion pricing, derailing the $40-billion 'Fast Forward' plan for subway and bus improvements. The MTA board approved the pause, forcing a $16 billion cut in capital spending. Projects delayed include modern signals, station accessibility, new trains, and electric buses. The plan, crafted by former NYC Transit President Andy Byford, aimed to fix decades of neglect. Byford said, 'The Fast Forward plan we created in 2018 is as necessary today as it was then.' MTA board member Norman Brown lamented, 'We're turning the clock back.' The pause leaves vulnerable riders—especially low-income New Yorkers—exposed to unreliable, unsafe transit. No new funding is secured. The system’s future hangs in the balance.

• Hochul’s Congestion Pricing ‘Pause’ Kicks Transit Fixes to the Next Crisis, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-26

Jun 24 - DOT will build nearly a mile of protected bike lanes on Seventh Avenue in Dyker Heights. The stretch is notorious for speeding, crashes, and one recent fatality. The plan adds sidewalk space, bus islands, and closes slip lanes. Some locals protest lost parking.

On June 24, 2024, the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) announced plans to install protected bike lanes on Seventh Avenue in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. The project, pitched as a school safety upgrade, will replace painted bike lanes with a two-way protected lane, add sidewalk extensions, and close two slip lanes. DOT cited 110 injury crashes and one fatality in four years along the corridor. The redesign also includes concrete bus boarding islands and pedestrian improvements near schools and hospitals. DOT staffer Alex Ussery said, 'We’ve received some concerns from the community and various elected officials specifically regarding safety around students.' Community board attendees voiced anger over the loss of 28 parking spots, but some residents and advocates praised the safety upgrades, calling them 'desperately needed.' Installation will begin this summer and finish in the fall. No council member directly sponsored or voted on this DOT action.

• Protected Bike Lanes Are (Finally) Coming To Car-Centric Dyker Heights, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-24