Another Child Dead. Leaders Shrug. How Many More Before They Act?

Hundreds will rally for subway elevators on September 8. Advocates blame Gov. Hochul’s congestion pricing pause for stalling $2 billion in accessibility upgrades. Riders and organizers will canvass stations, demanding funding and warning of deep cuts to ADA projects citywide.

On August 30, 2024, advocates announced a citywide protest and canvassing event for subway accessibility, set for September 8. The action responds to Governor Hochul’s indefinite pause on congestion pricing, which threatens $2 billion in elevator projects at 23 stations. Organizers cite the MTA’s legal mandate to make 95 percent of the subway accessible by 2055 and warn of a 30 percent cut to ADA spending without congestion pricing funds. Jeff Peters of the Center for Independence of the Disabled NY said, 'Congestion pricing would be used for just this situation.' Danna Dennis of Riders Alliance and Jessica Murray of Elevator Action Group joined calls for action. The protest highlights the direct link between transit funding and safe, accessible passage for all New Yorkers.

• They Want YOU: Massive Protest for Subway Elevators on Sept. 8, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-30

New York will close 71 streets to cars outside schools this fall. The city adds more car-free zones for kids. Streets once deadly will now be safer for walking, play, and learning. The move targets neighborhoods hit hardest by crashes.

On August 29, 2024, the Department of Transportation announced a record 71 school streets will close to cars this fall. The expansion, not tied to a specific council bill, builds on the Open Streets program, made permanent in 2021. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodríguez said, 'We have created a new framework to give this space back to our school children.' Councilwoman Vickie Paladino celebrated the new open street at PS 129, calling it a win for safe pick-up, drop-off, and play. Funding comes from the Public Space Equity Program, with $30 million focused on under-resourced areas. Street Lab will provide programming and street furniture. The program responds to past investigations showing higher crash and injury rates outside schools, especially in poorer neighborhoods. The city will directly fund management and operations starting in 2025, aiming to make these safety gains permanent.

• More Safe School Streets Coming To NYC This Fall, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-29

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

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

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

A Yamaha motorcycle struck a turning Lexus on North Gannon Avenue. The unlicensed rider, helmeted, was ejected and left bleeding, body shattered. The sedan’s side caved in. Speed too high. Silence followed the scream. Staten Island’s roads bear the scars.

According to the police report, a Yamaha motorcycle traveling west on North Gannon Avenue collided with the left side doors of a Lexus sedan as it made a right turn near Mountainview Avenue. The report states the motorcycle was operated by an unlicensed male rider, age 35, who was wearing a helmet. The contributing factor listed is 'Unsafe Speed.' The narrative describes the rider being ejected from the motorcycle, suffering severe bleeding and injuries to his entire body. The sedan’s side was heavily damaged. The crash occurred at 18:23. The police report makes clear that excessive speed was a primary factor, with the motorcycle slamming into the turning vehicle. No contributing factors are attributed to the sedan driver. The report does not cite any victim behavior as contributing to the crash, focusing solely on speed and licensing violations.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747510 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

On Victory Boulevard, a sedan with bad brakes hit a parked car. The driver, 84, took chest injuries. Police blame defective brakes. One man hurt. Metal twisted. Streets stayed dangerous.

According to the police report, two sedans collided on Victory Boulevard in Staten Island. One sedan, traveling west, struck a parked car, hitting its right side doors with its front bumper. The driver, an 84-year-old man, suffered chest injuries and internal complaints but remained conscious. Police list 'Brakes Defective' as a contributing factor, pointing to vehicle malfunction as the cause. No other driver errors or victim actions appear in the report. The crash left one person injured, showing again how mechanical failure puts lives at risk on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4747801 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Seven Staten Island leaders want Norman Brown off the MTA board. Brown questioned new railcars for the borough after lawmakers opposed congestion pricing. Officials call his stance bureaucratic ignorance. The fight spotlights power struggles over transit and rider needs.

On August 3, 2024, seven Staten Island officials, including Council Minority Leader Joseph Borelli (District 51), called for the removal of MTA board member Norman Brown. Their letter to Governor Hochul followed Brown’s June comments suggesting Staten Island lose its promised 75 new R211S railcars because local lawmakers opposed congestion pricing. The letter, signed by Assemblymen Sam Pirozzolo, Michael Tannousis, Michael Reilly, Borough President Vito Fossella, State Senator Andrew Lanza, Councilman David Carr, and Borelli, called Brown’s remarks 'a masterclass in bureaucratic ignorance.' Brown said he would welcome removal. The new railcars would replace aging trains from the 1970s. The matter exposes deep rifts over transit funding and priorities, with Staten Island riders caught in the crossfire.

• Staten Island pols urge Hochul to yank MTA board member who recommended stripping borough of new railcars, nypost.com, Published 2024-08-03

Seven Staten Island leaders want Norman Brown off the MTA board. Brown questioned new railcars for the borough after lawmakers opposed congestion pricing. Officials call his stance bureaucratic ignorance. The fight spotlights power struggles over transit and rider needs.

On August 3, 2024, seven Staten Island officials, including Council Minority Leader Joseph Borelli (District 51), called for the removal of MTA board member Norman Brown. Their letter to Governor Hochul followed Brown’s June comments suggesting Staten Island lose its promised 75 new R211S railcars because local lawmakers opposed congestion pricing. The letter, signed by Assemblymen Sam Pirozzolo, Michael Tannousis, Michael Reilly, Borough President Vito Fossella, State Senator Andrew Lanza, Councilman David Carr, and Borelli, called Brown’s remarks 'a masterclass in bureaucratic ignorance.' Brown said he would welcome removal. The new railcars would replace aging trains from the 1970s. The matter exposes deep rifts over transit funding and priorities, with Staten Island riders caught in the crossfire.

• Staten Island pols urge Hochul to yank MTA board member who recommended stripping borough of new railcars, nypost.com, Published 2024-08-03

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

A 69-year-old woman lost consciousness while making a left turn on Bradley Avenue. Her sedan struck a parked SUV head-on. She suffered a concussion and was unconscious at the scene, restrained by a lap belt and harness, according to the police report.

According to the police report, a 69-year-old female driver lost consciousness while making a left turn on Bradley Avenue around 16:57. The sedan she was driving collided with a parked station wagon/SUV, impacting the right front quarter panel of her vehicle and the center front end of the SUV. The driver was not ejected and was restrained by a lap belt and harness. She sustained a concussion and was unconscious at the scene. The report lists 'Lost Consciousness' as a contributing factor to the crash, indicating a critical driver medical event caused the collision. No other driver errors or victim behaviors were cited. The parked SUV was unoccupied at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4744359 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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

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

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

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

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

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

A pick-up truck rear-ended a stopped sedan on North Gannon Avenue. The sedan driver, a woman, suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police blamed driver distraction. The crash shows the risk to those who wait in traffic.

According to the police report, a pick-up truck heading southwest on North Gannon Avenue struck the rear of a sedan stopped in traffic. The sedan's driver, a 43-year-old woman, was injured with whiplash and trauma to her entire body. She was conscious and wore a lap belt and harness. The report lists driver inattention and distraction as the cause. The pick-up truck driver failed to maintain focus, leading to the rear-end collision. No contributing factors were attributed to the sedan driver. This crash highlights the danger distracted drivers pose to people stopped on city streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4736509 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

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