Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release #17-005
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Scott Gastel/Gloria Chin (212)839-4850

New York City Department Of Transportation Launches Citywide Transit Plan Workshops Throughout the Five Boroughs

Beginning in February, DOT will conduct public workshops across the City to identify various transit needs and to take a deep look at the state of mobility in New York City

The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) today announced a series of public workshops in February and March to interact with the public to discuss the future of public transportation, identify current and future needs, make short and long-term recommendations, and develop a vision for new transit options and improvements in the five boroughs. The workshops are part of NYC DOT’s Citywide Transit Plan, which addresses the equity and sustainability goals of OneNYC and the framework presented last year in the NYCDOT Strategic Plan 2016: Safe*Green*Smart*Equitable as well as NYC’s Roadmap to 80x50.

“We thank the Council for their partnership on the Citywide Transit Plan, which is in line with Mayor de Blasio's goals for an equitable and sustainable future for our City,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “As we engage with and listen closely to communities in every borough over the next two months, we will be able to thoroughly assess their transit needs. We encourage New Yorkers to bring their ambitious goals for transit in their communities to these sessions. We look forward to hearing from you.”

DOT’s Citywide Transit Plan, which builds on a Citywide Bus Rapid Transit plan we required in 2015, will be an important step towards strengthening and improving the efficiency of our City’s public transportation network. All New Yorkers, regardless of their income or socioeconomic background, should have access to safe and reliable rapid transit services across the five boroughs,” said New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “The New York City Council is proud to support the efforts of the DOT to make all public transit options more inclusive.”

“This comprehensive study, spurred by City Council legislation, will be a tremendous benefit to city residents as we set the course for the future of our transit systems,” said Council Transportation Chair Ydanis Rodriguez. “Building a road map--or in this case, a transit map--to plan out our needs and opportunities, will be a crucial part of sustaining our city and supporting our many residents. I am glad DOT has begun this undertaking and we look forward to engaging with them on this process.”

“As NYC continues to grow, we need thoughtful planning and improvements to our transportation infrastructure in order to meet our shared goals of safety, equity and sustainability,” said Council Member Brad Lander. “I want to thank Commissioner Polly Trottenberg and the NYC Department of Transportation for their leadership on the Citywide Transit Plan and for fulfilling the intent of Intro 0211-2014 in its development of a citywide plan informed by local communities, to ensure equitable access to transportation for all New Yorkers. I look forward to working with DOT alongside transportation advocates to engage communities in this important work.”

The Citywide Transit Plan will serve core DOT goals such as improving public transportation connections and service to neighborhoods underserved by public transit, providing low-income New Yorkers with access to safe, convenient and reliable rapid transit services, and better connecting transit, pedestrian, and bicycle networks. In response to the NYC Council legislation, the Citywide Transit Plan will also include an in depth analysis of the Select Bus Service (SBS) system to date and plans for future expansion.

Specific goals of the plan and the workshops will be to:

  • Identify key corridors underserved by the existing transit system, locations possibly in need of congestion mitigation and transit reorganization efforts, as well as emerging ridership markers expected to grow over the next several decades.
  • Evaluate potential transit modes – such as bus rapid transit (BRT), light rail or subway – that might work best on such corridors.
  • Identify how improvements in pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure can broaden transit markets and improve access to schools, employment and recreation.
  • Determine where performance can be improved through investments such as bus lanes, traffic signal priority, and off-board/all-door fare payment
  • Consider how emerging mobility options could enhance access in low density markets

The public workshop series launches in February in Flatbush and will wrap up in March in St. George, Staten Island. The full schedule follows:

  • Brooklyn: Tuesday, February 7, 2017
    • 6:00-8:00 P.M.
    • Brooklyn College Student Center
    • Campus Road & East 27th Street Brooklyn, NY 11210

  • Queens: Monday, February 13, 2017
    • 6:30-8:30 P.M
    • I.S. 77
    • 976 Seneca Avenue Queens, NY 11385

  • Bronx: Wednesday, February 15, 2017
    • 6:00-8:00 P.M.
    • Fordham University Campbell Hall
    • 441 East Fordham Road Bronx, NY 10458

  • Queens: Wednesday, February 22, 2017
    • 6:00-8:00 P.M.
    • Elmhurst Hospital Center
    • 79-01 Broadway Queens, NY 11373

  • Staten Island: Monday, February 27, 2017
    • 5:30-7:30 P.M.
    • St. George Library Center
    • 5 Central Avenue Staten Island, NY 10301

  • Manhattan: Tuesday, March 7, 2017
    • 6:00-8:00 P.M.
    • Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building
    • 163 W. 125th Street, 2nd Floor New York, NY 10027

For more information about the work of DOT, please visit transitplan.nyc

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