Issue Position: Transportation

Issue Position

The MTA says we have a public transportation system - but we believe that the "system" is often in disarray for citizens in our community. What we have in Southeast Queens and the Rockaways does not best serve the more than 50 percent of citizens here that depend on public transportation. I believe that we should extend the Q77 bus further into Rosedale, add more buses to the Q9 and Q7 lines, from South Ozone Park to Jamaica, and have clearer protocol about what the process is for stop signs, road repairs and street signage. We need to advocate for new bus routes from Far Rockaway to John F. Kennedy Airport - currently, every other area of the district can get to JFK much easier than The Rockaways - and also push for more job opportunities for young people to be employed at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

We also support legislation that would create an Atlantic Ticket discount program for Rockaway residents initially proposed in 2016. The Freedom Ticket program allows LIRR riders to transfer the commuter rail service and the city's bus and subway system creating fare partiry for transportation deserts like Southeast Queens. We would advocate the addition of these programs for all of the district.

Finally, we need better access to The Rockaway Ferry shuttle, one fare for all. I support legislation that would improve Access-A-Ride for citizens in our district with disabilities, including Assembly Bill A9780 which would expand an on-demand program making it easier for seniors to schedule rides.

Our district relies on public transportation, and this public transit doesn't connect our people to their jobs in efficient and equitable ways. This has to be changed immediately and I will lead that change.

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