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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 280-05
July 20, 2005

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG SIGNS LEGISLATION MAKING FERRIES ACCESSIBLE TO ALL NEW YORKERS

Remarks by Mayor Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Laws

“The first bill before me is Introductory number 398-A, sponsored by Council Members López, Avella, Fidler, Foster, Gerson, Jackson, Katz, Liu, Monserrate, Nelson, Perkins, Quinn, Recchia, Seabrook, Sears, Weprin, Addabbo, Baez, Clarke, Comrie, Felder, Gennaro, Jennings, Martinez, McMahon, Reyna, Rivera, Sanders, Stewart, Yassky, DeBlasio, Brewer, Moskowitz, Koppell, Reed, Vallone, Dilan, Vann, Gioia, Boyland, Gonzalez, Palma, Gentile, Barron, Oddo, Lanza, Speaker Miller and Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum.  This bill establishes accessibility standards for commuter ferries operating in New York City.

“New York City’s geography is unique.  The City has the benefit of an extensive network of waterways and its passenger ferries are an integral parts of the City’s transportation system. Ferry service must be accessible to all New Yorkers, including people with disabilities.  Unfortunately, absent a Federal mandate, ferries have not been uniformly accessible to disabled persons in New York City.

“Intro. 398-A establishes requirements that would ensure that ferries that operate in the City’s waterways, as well as the docks, piers, slips and terminals that receive and unload passengers, are accessible for disabled persons.

“I would like to thank the City Council for shepherding this bill through the legislative process.  I would also like to thank Department of Transportation Commissioner Iris Weinshall, the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities Executive Director Matthew Sapolin and the agency staff who worked on this bill, for their hard work and dedication to this issue.”







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