Vacca to Hold Budget Hearings in Transportation Committee

Here is news related to transportation issues in NYC. For those that were not at the recent Borough Presidents State of the Borough Address, there is an orchestrated push by our elected officials to secure additional funding for our neglected subway system in the Bronx as well as plans for a new Metro-North rail line. The proposed Metro-North line would connect Co-op City, Morris Park, Parkchester and other parts of the East Bronx to the South Bronx and then Manhattan. For more on transportation issues here is a press release by NYC Transportation Chair James Vacca.

Gregory

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Vacca to Hold Budget Hearings in Transportation Committee

MTA, DOT, TLC Budgets for FY2013 Under Scrutiny

As the federal transportation bill stalls in Washington, leaving funds for mass transit in the balance, Chairman James Vacca and members of the Council Transportation Committee will hold a series of hearings on the Mayor’s Fiscal 2013 Budgets for transportation and transit funding in NYC.

The MTA plans to implement a 7.5 percent fare and toll hike in January 2013, netting an expected $463 million. In addition, the Taxi and Limousine Commission expects to add more than $1 billion to the city’s coffers from the sale of 2,000 medallions as well as the first wave of the TLC’s new street hail licenses.

And despite the mild winter, the FY 2012 Mayor’s Management Report shows that the number of days it takes the Department of Transportation to fill a pothole has still not gone back to FY10 levels. The spike in FY11 was attributed to the active snow season that year, including the Christmas weekend storm.

WHO: Council Member James Vacca, Chair, Transportation Committee
Hilary Ring, Director of Government Affairs, MTA
Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, NYC Department of Transportation
Commissioner David Yassky, NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission

WHERE: 250 Broadway, 14th Floor Committee Room

WHEN: Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 10 a.m. (TLC); 10:45 (MTA); 11:45 (DOT)

Sen. José M. Serrano Safety Recommendations and List of Community Services in Response to Hurricane Irene

Here is additional information on resources, including shelters in Sen. José M. Serrano's 28th Assembly District, and various recommendations for precaution that should be considered seriously in preparation for hurricane Irene's arrival this weekend. Please do review and and take the necessary precautions necessary.

Gregory


PREPARING FOR HURRICANE IRENE

In preparation for Hurricane Irene, I urge all of you to take the necessary precautions to protect yourselves and your loved ones. Below you will find some helpful information and recommendations to ensure that you are adequately prepared should hurricane conditions occur.

Additionally, you may lose power and email access, so I suggest you print this email, along with the corresponding evacuation map, and any other information you need to ensure your safety. Please share this information with others, especially the elderly and sick who may not be getting the proper information, and help them stay informed.

Where to get Information
On the New York City Office of Emergency Management or www.nyc.gov/severeweather websites you can find out if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone by plugging in your address here. Or use your phone to call 311 for further information. This is the best source for up to the minute hurricane information for New York City residents.

You can also find a map of the NYC hurricane evacuation zones here. If you live in an ORANGE (Zone A) area, you should be prepared to evacuate. Mayor Bloomberg recently announced that there will be a mandatory evacuation for those in Zone A by Saturday at 5PM. It is important that you check this map as many residents of the 28th Senate District reside in Zone A.

This map also shows the locations of evacuation centers, which are marked with RED dots.

Below are the evacuation centers in the 28th District-(Bronx, East Harlem, Yorkville, & Roosevelt Island):

Bronx Community College, 80 W 181st Street, Bronx 10453
P.S. 145, 1000 Teller Avenue, Bronx 10456
P.S. 306, 40 W Tremont Ave., Bronx 10453
William H. Taft High School, 240 East 172nd Street, Bronx 10457
P.S. 5, 564 Jackson Ave, Bronx 10455
P.S. 17, 19 East 103rd Street, Manhattan
P.S. 188, 215 West 114th Street, Manhattan
Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue, Manhattan
Newcomers High School, 28-01 41st Avenue, Queens (This is only included due to its proximity to Roosevelt Island)

You can report power interruptions or service problems as well as view service restoration information online at www.conEd.com. Or you can call Con Edison 1-800-752-6633. (If possible, have your Con Edison account number available and report whether your neighbors also have lost power).

Trains, Buses, and Bridges are also likely to be taken out of service during the hurricane. The MTA will be shutting down service beginning on Saturday at 12 PM. If you are planning to relocate for the hurricane, you should do so sooner rather than later.

The Mayor has indicated that he will work closely with news organizations to get breaking updates to the public ASAP. Therefore, please stay close to a television or radio to get the latest info. Remember, a battery powered radio works during a blackout.

You may also call 311 for the latest updates.
What to Do
If you have a terrace or outdoor space, make sure to take everything inside. High winds are expected.

If you live by a construction site that has materials which do not appear to be safely secured to a stable structure, please call and notify 311.

If you see downed electrical wires, do NOT go near them or touch them. Instead, report any downed wires to Con Edison and your local police department immediately.

If you have a medical or other emergency, call 911.

Check twitter for additional updates at http://twitter.com/nycgov.
What to Have
Whether or not you are in an evacuation zone, you should make sure to have basic necessary supplies readily available.

Gather a "Go Bag" that includes: essential documents in waterproof bags/containers, extra cash, medications, flashlights, working batteries and other items you'll want to have in the event of an evacuation.

Other Items the Red Cross recommends you have on hand:
Water- at least a 3-day supply; one gallon per person per day
Food- at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
Extra batteries
First aid kit
Medications (7-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane)
Sanitation and personal hygiene items
Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information)
Cell phone with chargers
Family and emergency contact information
Extra cash
Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes, rain gear
Once again, please use the resources listed above to ensure your safety and the safety of those close to you. Be sure to follow http://twitter.com/nycgov, call 311, and listen to the radio for further updates. Please be prepared and be safe!

KOPPELL SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING IMMEDIATE CLEAN-UP OF #1 IRT LINE ELEVATED STATION AT 231st STREET & BROADWAY

Here are results from Oliver Koppell intervening to clean up the MTA station on 231st and Broadway. With cuts looming everywhere and our MTA chairman jumping ship, it's good to see our elected officials picking up the phone and forcing agencies to make sure our transportation system at the very least, hygienic.

Gregory
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KOPPELL SUCCESSFUL IN GETTING IMMEDIATE CLEAN-UP OF #1 IRT LINE ELEVATED STATION AT 231st STREET & BROADWAY

Council Member Oliver Koppell succeeded in getting the MTA to immediately clean-up the #1 IRT elevated station, northbound, at 231st Street and Broadway after a constituent called to his attention the mess that pigeons had created on the handrails, steps and throughout the station.

After being informed about the situation on August 1st, Koppell contacted the MTA’s train division and demanded that they clean the station promptly since the pigeon droppings are not only unsightly, they are also unsanitary. The MTA indicated that they would remove the filth the very same day and, if necessary, power wash it that night.

“I am gratified that the MTA responded quickly to my complaint. However, I was dismayed by the build-up of filth, which straphangers should not have to endure, and I have called for the MTA to monitor and clean the station on a more regular basis.”

Transportation Chair James Vacca Calls on Assembly to Pass ‘Transit Lockbox’ Bill

Here is another bill introduced by Councilman Vacca to protect our transit system.

Gregory
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Transportation Chair James Vacca Calls on Assembly to Pass ‘Transit Lockbox’ Bill

CITY HALL ― New York City Council Transportation Chair James Vacca today released the following statement calling on the New York State Assembly to pass A.6766C, which would prohibit the Governor from diverting dedicated transit tax revenue from the MTA and require the State Legislature, prior to reducing transit funding, to document the full impact on fares and service. The State Senate approved a companion bill, S.4257C, yesterday afternoon.

“I am calling on the State Assembly to do the right thing today and approve the “transit lockbox” bill unanimously approved by the State Senate yesterday. New Yorkers are still reeling from the devastating bus and subway cuts imposed last year after the State diverted over $140 million that was specifically set aside for the MTA. We lose credibility when we charge New Yorkers additional taxes and fees to support mass transit and then rob those funds for other purposes. The New York metropolitan region relies on its world-class transit system to remain attractive to residents and businesses, and our transit system relies on state support. The lockbox bill is essential to protecting straphangers from service cuts and fare hikes in the future.”