File #: Res 0973-2005    Version: * Name: MTA to maintain weekend express service from Brooklyn to Midtown Manhattan beyond the scheduled June 30, 2005 termination date.
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Committee: Committee on Transportation
On agenda: 5/25/2005
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to maintain weekend express service from Brooklyn to Midtown Manhattan beyond the scheduled June 30, 2005 termination date.
Sponsors: Vincent J. Gentile, Charles Barron, Leroy G. Comrie, Jr., Lewis A. Fidler, Sara M. Gonzalez, Michael C. Nelson, Annabel Palma, Larry B. Seabrook, David I. Weprin
Council Member Sponsors: 9
Attachments: 1. Committee Report, 2. Hearing Transcript, 3. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 6/30/05
Date Ver.Prime SponsorAction ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsMultimedia
6/30/2005*Vincent J. Gentile City Council Approved, by CouncilPass Action details Meeting details Not available
6/27/2005*Vincent J. Gentile Committee on Transportation Hearing Held by Committee  Action details Meeting details Not available
6/27/2005*Vincent J. Gentile Committee on Transportation Approved by CommitteePass Action details Meeting details Not available
5/25/2005*Vincent J. Gentile City Council Referred to Comm by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available
5/25/2005*Vincent J. Gentile City Council Introduced by Council  Action details Meeting details Not available

Res. No. 973

Resolution calling upon the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to maintain weekend express service from Brooklyn to Midtown Manhattan beyond the scheduled June 30, 2005 termination date.

 

By Council Members Gentile, Barron, Comrie, Fidler, Gonzalez, Nelson, Palma, Seabrook and Weprin

 

 

Whereas, The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) established weekend express bus service over the last three years reportedly, in part, to compensate for decreased subway service due to the Manhattan Bridge construction; and

Whereas, The MTA is planning to terminate weekend express bus service in Brooklyn after June 30, 2005 because no additional funding has been approved for continuing this service; and

                     Whereas, The MTA has argued that weekend express bus service to Brooklyn is no longer necessary due to enhancements made to subway service; and  

Whereas, While the MTA contends that weekend express bus service to Brooklyn would be duplicative because the trip to and from Manhattan has been “expedited” along the subway lines, there are reasons why the express bus service is not duplicative; and

Whereas, Many of the Brooklyn weekend express bus riders are senior

citizens or disabled persons who use the buses because there are no subway stations in the area with an elevator or escalator; and

Whereas, In many cases these riders would have to traverse several dozen steps to reach the platform, which is difficult for an elderly person or a disabled person, especially in the rain or snow; and

Whereas, It is difficult for a wheelchair-bound MTA rider in several areas in Brooklyn to access a subway, while weekend express buses are wheelchair accessible; and

Whereas, Many people also work on the weekends and rely on these buses to get to and from their jobs in Manhattan, including those traveling late at night and who do not feel comfortable taking the subway or taking long walks to and from the subway at these late hours; and 

Whereas, Just as the City encourages tourists from around the world to visit the various attractions in Manhattan to foster the City’s economic growth, the City should preserve and not discourage access to these sites for our seniors and disabled persons who reside outside Manhattan; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, that the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to maintain weekend express service from Brooklyn to Midtown Manhattan beyond the scheduled June 30, 2005 termination date.

 

 

RR

LS 2975

5/20/05