Blood on the Asphalt, Silence in City Hall

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 Cooney warned that the pause means less expansion, less accessibility, dirtier buses, older trains, and outdated signals.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 24 - Governor Hochul’s halt on congestion pricing guts $12 billion in MTA contracts. Thousands of jobs vanish. Local companies lose out. Lawmakers in affected districts stay silent or cheer. Trains and buses face deep cuts. Riders, workers, and streets pay the price.

On July 24, 2024, Governor Hochul’s official pause on congestion pricing triggered a $12 billion loss in MTA contracts, according to a Reinvent Albany report. The move slashes funding for the 2020-24 MTA capital plan, which was to be partly paid by congestion pricing. The report highlights that many companies losing contracts are in districts represented by lawmakers who either support the pause or have stayed silent. Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick called congestion pricing 'simply another tax' and demanded repeal. Assemblyman Gary Pretlow praised the pause, saying it allows time to address 'communities' concerns.' Frank Russo, president of Ozone Park Lumber, warned, 'You can't just say, 'We're not going to buy supplies and equipment.'' Rachael Fauss of Reinvent Albany said, 'Congestion pricing is an economic booster.' The pause means less money for transit, fewer jobs, and more risk for vulnerable road users who rely on safe, reliable public transportation.

• Hochul’s Congestion Pricing ‘Pause’ Will Cost Area Companies Billions, Streetsblog NYC, 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 16 - A Nissan SUV crashed into a parked Chevy on Victory Boulevard, splitting the Chevy’s rear and crumpling the Nissan’s front. A 57-year-old woman, belted and conscious, suffered severe head bleeding. Police cited driver inattention as the cause.

According to the police report, a Nissan SUV struck a parked Chevy on Victory Boulevard near Forest Avenue. The impact split the Chevy’s rear and crumpled the Nissan’s front. The report states that a 57-year-old woman, who was wearing a seatbelt and remained conscious, suffered severe bleeding from the head. The collision occurred at 16:14. Police explicitly cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as the contributing factor in the crash. The Chevy was stationary and unoccupied at the time of impact. The report does not list any victim behaviors as contributing factors. The focus remains on the danger posed by driver distraction, which led directly to the violent collision and the resulting injury.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4742206 - 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

Jun 24 - New Yorkers packed the MTA Board meeting. They slammed the Governor’s pause on congestion pricing. The move guts $15 billion from transit upgrades. Projects for elevators and ramps stall. Disabled riders, seniors, and veterans lose out. Politicians split. Riders left stranded.

On June 24, 2024, the MTA Board heard public testimony and political debate on the fallout from Governor Hochul’s indefinite pause of congestion pricing, which was set to begin June 30. The meeting focused on the loss of funding for transit accessibility. The matter, described as 'New Yorkers decry loss of congestion pricing money for accessible transit to MTA Board,' drew sharp criticism from disability advocates and riders. State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, representing District 23, praised the Governor’s pause, calling congestion pricing 'the wrong plan for my constituents.' The pause leaves a $15 billion hole in the MTA’s capital budget, halting upgrades like elevators and ramps at dozens of stations. Advocates warned that without this funding, disabled New Yorkers, seniors, and veterans remain shut out of the subway. The MTA faces a federal mandate to make 95% of stations accessible by 2055, but these projects now stall. Riders demanded action. Politicians offered little hope.

• New Yorkers decry loss of congestion pricing money for accessible transit to MTA Board, amny.com, Published 2024-06-24

Jun 19 - A 28-year-old cyclist crashed into the rear of a parked Toyota on Forest Avenue. Ejected, his head struck pavement. Blood pooled as he lay conscious, staring skyward. The police report cites driver inexperience. No helmet was worn.

According to the police report, a 28-year-old man riding a bike on Forest Avenue near Brighton Avenue collided with the rear of a parked Toyota sedan. The cyclist was ejected from his bike, suffering a severe head injury with heavy bleeding. The report states the cyclist was conscious at the scene. 'Driver Inexperience' is listed as the primary contributing factor in the crash. The narrative details, 'Head split open on the pavement. Blood pooled. He lay conscious, staring up at the sky.' The report also notes that the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this is mentioned after the driver error. The sedan was parked and unoccupied at the time of the collision. The incident underscores the dangers present when inexperience meets the unforgiving city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734245 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 19 - Two sedans crashed on Delafield Avenue. One driver suffered neck injury and shock. Police cited traffic control disregard. Both cars hit front bumpers. System failed to protect the injured.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Delafield Avenue, Staten Island, at 9:50 a.m. Both drivers were licensed women traveling straight. Impact struck the left and right front bumpers. One driver, age 32, suffered a neck injury and was in shock. She was not ejected and wore a lap belt and harness. The police report lists 'Traffic Control Disregarded' as the contributing factor, pointing to a failure to obey signals or signs. No other contributing factors were noted. The report does not blame the injured driver or mention any victim error.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4734243 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-09-19

Jun 18 - DOT wants a two-way busway on Tremont Avenue. Cars and taxis must turn off. Buses crawl at 4.5 mph here. Most travelers ride the bus. Council members urge careful planning. Committee backs the plan. DOT will study traffic and consult the community.

On June 18, 2024, the Department of Transportation proposed an 11-block, 0.6-mile two-way busway on Tremont Avenue in the Bronx. The plan, discussed in the Municipal Services Committee, would force cars and taxis to turn off, leaving the lane for buses, trucks, and emergency vehicles. The matter summary notes, 'The Bx36 bus, which travels this corridor, is among the slowest in the Bronx, with speeds dropping to as low as 4.5 miles per hour.' Council Members Pierina Sanchez and Oswald Feliz, who represent the area, expressed cautious optimism and called for community engagement. Committee Chair Lucia Deng reported, 'There was zero pushback on the concept of busways or bus lanes.' The committee even pushed for a longer route. DOT will conduct further analysis and present detailed plans to local boards in the fall. No formal safety assessment for vulnerable road users was provided.

• City Proposes Short Busway For Clogged Cross-Bronx Roadway, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-18

Jun 15 - After congestion pricing’s defeat, Assemblyman Gary Pretlow pushes casinos to fill the MTA’s budget gap. An editorial slams the plan, calling it reckless and corrupt. The piece urges Governor Hochul to hold the line. Riders and streets remain at risk.

On June 15, 2024, an editorial criticized a push by Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (District 89) to use casino licenses as a quick fix for lost MTA revenue after congestion pricing failed. The editorial, titled 'After congestion toll win, Gov. Hochul must say ‘No’ to casino-crutch revenue plan,' warns that casino funding is unreliable and prone to corruption. Pretlow, along with state Sen. Joe Addabo, is vocal about expediting casino approvals. The editorial quotes, 'The MTA may need cash, but ramming through casino deals... has got to be among the worst ideas yet.' It urges Governor Hochul to reject the casino plan, praising her past opposition to congestion pricing rollbacks. No direct safety analysis was provided, but the editorial highlights systemic risk: without stable transit funding, vulnerable road users face greater danger from increased car traffic and unreliable public transit.

• After congestion toll win, Gov. Hochul must say ‘No’ to casino-crutch revenue plan, nypost.com, Published 2024-06-15

Jun 10 - Angry Brooklynites rallied at Broadway Junction. They blasted Governor Hochul for halting congestion pricing. Signs demanded clean air and fast trains. Council Member Lincoln Restler called it betrayal. Protesters warned: more cars, less transit, and vulnerable riders left behind.

On June 10, 2024, Council Member Lincoln Restler joined a protest in District 33 against Governor Kathy Hochul’s indefinite delay of congestion pricing. The rally, organized by Riders Alliance, gathered outside Broadway Junction. Protesters held signs reading, 'Don’t cancel @ 11th hour' and 'clean air, fast trains. Fund the MTA.' The matter, titled 'Brooklynites fume over congestion pricing delay: Kathy Hochul has betrayed us,' saw Restler declare, 'Kathy Hochul has betrayed us.' He called for more frequent buses, reliable trains, and less car dependence. Demonstrators warned that the delay defunds the MTA, threatens service for those without cars, and puts Black, Brown, and low-income communities at risk. State Sen. Jabari Brisport urged Hochul to reinstate the plan. No safety analyst assessment was provided.

• Brooklynites fume over congestion pricing delay: ‘Kathy Hochul has betrayed us’, brooklynpaper.com, Published 2024-06-10

Jun 9 - Anger filled Broadway Junction. Protesters called out Governor Hochul for halting congestion pricing. Councilmember Lincoln Restler said the city was betrayed. Riders demanded better buses, trains, and less car traffic. Without funding, vulnerable New Yorkers face longer waits and dangerous streets.

On June 9, 2024, Councilmember Lincoln Restler (District 33) joined a protest at Broadway Junction against the indefinite delay of New York’s congestion pricing plan. The event, organized by Riders Alliance, followed Governor Kathy Hochul’s last-minute decision to halt the Manhattan toll plan. The protest drew bus and subway riders, who chanted for immediate action and held signs demanding clean air and reliable transit. Restler declared, 'Kathy Hochul has betrayed us,' and called for more frequent bus service, better trains, and less dependence on cars and trucks. The demonstrators warned that without congestion pricing, the MTA faces a funding crisis. This threatens repairs and improvements, especially in Black, Brown, and low-income neighborhoods, and risks worsening traffic and delays for emergency services. The protest highlights the systemic danger: when transit funding is gutted, vulnerable road users pay the price.

• Brooklyn protesters fume over congestion pricing delay: ‘Kathy Hochul has betrayed us’, amny.com, Published 2024-06-09

Jun 7 - Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Assembly passes A 7652. Schenectady gets school speed cameras. Law aims to slow drivers near kids. Cameras expire in 2028. Vote split. Streets may get safer for children on foot.

Bill A 7652, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady,' passed the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The measure, sponsored by Assemblymembers Phil Steck and Angelo Santabarbara, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2028. The Assembly vote saw strong support but also opposition. Steck and Santabarbara led the push. The bill's text is blunt: 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Schenectady.' No formal safety analyst note was provided, but speed cameras have a record of reducing driver speed and protecting children walking to school.

• File A 7652, Open States, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Albany lawmakers left town. Hochul froze congestion pricing. The MTA lost $1 billion. Projects for safer, more accessible transit now hang in limbo. Riders, walkers, and cyclists face a bleaker future. No fix. No plan. Only confusion and risk.

On June 7, 2024, state leaders adjourned without resolving the MTA’s $1 billion funding gap. The crisis followed Governor Hochul’s abrupt halt of congestion pricing, a move that stripped the MTA of critical capital. The MTA warned, "Modernization and improvement projects like electric buses, accessible stations and new signals will likely need to be deprioritized." State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie both expressed uncertainty. The matter, titled "State of Confusion: Albany Pols Adjourn, Hochul Gets Delusional, MTA Plans Capital Cuts in Wild Final Day," leaves transit upgrades stalled. Stewart-Cousins was mentioned but took no direct action. With no new funding, the MTA’s ability to deliver safer, more reliable service for vulnerable New Yorkers is now in jeopardy.

• State of Confusion: Albany Pols Adjourn, Hochul Gets Delusional, MTA Plans Capital Cuts in Wild Final Day, streetsblog.org, Published 2024-06-07

Jun 7 - Senate backs S 9752. Mt. Vernon gets green light for up to 20 school speed zones. Law aims to slow cars near kids. Most senators vote yes. A few say no. Streets may change. Danger remains for the young.

Senate Bill S 9752, sponsored by Jamaal Bailey, authorizes Mt. Vernon to launch a school speed zone demonstration program, with up to twenty zones allowed. The bill passed the Senate on June 7, 2024, during a committee vote. The matter title reads: 'Authorizes the city of Mt. Vernon to establish a school speed zone demonstration program; authorizes installation in no more than twenty school speed zones in such city.' Bailey and a majority of senators voted yes, while a handful opposed. The bill targets speeding near schools, a known threat to children and other vulnerable road users. No formal safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 9752, Open States, Published 2024-06-07