Res. No. 1514

Resolution calling on the MTA to add an additional member to the New York City Transit’s Paratransit Advisory Committee (PAC) who would represent pregnant women and families. 

By Council Members Constantinides, Cohen, Gentile, Rodriguez, Salamanca, Koo, Menchaca, Cornegy, Johnson, Koslowitz, Richards, Rosenthal and Ulrich

Whereas, Some pregnant women and families find it difficult to take public transportation in New York City; and

Whereas, When traveling on a New York City bus, strollers are required to be folded which can make matters difficult for families to travel with young children; and

Whereas, Further, although the AutoGate is an automatic entry and exit to the subway, it can only be opened by either a special metrocard or a station attendant, however, some New York City subway stations do not have an attendant which means that the AutoGate cannot be opened for a family traveling with a stroller; and

Whereas, In addition to the factors that impact familes, some women find it difficult to use New York City’s public transportation system while pregnant; and

Whereas, Changes in a woman’s body during pregnancy affect a woman’s stability and posture and pregnancy can cause dizziness, headaches, and backaches; and

Whereas, Many pregnant commuters find it difficult to obtain a seat on a bus or a train because sometimes people refuse to give them a seat; and

Whereas, In order to better accommodate pregnant women who take public transportation, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has launched a pilot program from May through September of 2017, as part of their ‘Courtesy Counts’ campaign; and

Whereas, The MTA is giving out free buttons that say, “baby on board” and “please offer me a seat” to help make it easier for pregnant women and people with disabilities to obtain a seat on public transit; and

Whereas, The campaign is meant to incentivize people to give up their seat without having an awkward interaction, such as  mistakenly implying someone is pregnant or has a disability; and

Whereas, The MTA’s program is modeled after a program that began in London in 2005, when they created a button program for pregnant women and then later for people with disabilities; and

             Whereas, According to the MTA, Transport for London, London’s government body representing local transportation, has distributed approximately 130,000 buttons every year since 2005; and

            Whereas, While the MTA is taking steps to make the commuting experience more hospitable for pregnant women and people with disabilities, it would be beneficial to have a dedicated representative on the New York City Transit’s Paratransit Advisory Committee (PAC) who could advocate for the needs of pregnant women and families; and

Whereas, PAC is an advisory body created to serve as a liaison between the accessibility community and the MTA’s Paratransit Division; and

Whereas, The Paratransit Division of the MTA seeks PAC’s comments on proposed changes in service, policies and procedures; and

Whereas, In order to be a member of the PAC, an individual must either be an Access-A-Ride customer or a representative of a disability organization from the five boroughs; and

Whereas, PAC is currently limited to fifteen members; and

Whereas, The MTA could add at least one additional position to PAC to represent pregnant women and families and to advocate for their needs on public transportation; now, therefore be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the MTA to add an additional member to the New York City Transit’s Paratransit Advisory Committee (PAC) who would represent pregnant women and families. 

ER

6/1/17

LS 10900