Bronx Assemblyman Luis R. Sepúlveda Endorses Move NY Fair Plan

Office of Assemblyman Luis Sepúlveda

District Office: 1973 Westchester Ave, Bronx NY ∙ Phone:718-931-8620

Eastern Bronx Residents to Benefit from

Faster, Safer, Fairer Transportation Options

   Bronx Assemblyman Luis R. Sepúlveda (87th District) joined the growing chorus of City and State elected officials who have endorsed the Move NY Fair Plan as the blueprint for sustainably and fairly funding the New York metropolitan region’s transportation infrastructure. Developed by transportation guru, “Gridlock” Sam Schwartz, the plan would generate $1.5 billion annually ($15 billion when bonded) and help plug the hole in the MTA’s yet unfunded $14 billion budget gap for its 2015-2019 Capital Program.

“Representing a district surrounded by three major highways and the busiest intersection in America I have seen my constituents suffer from the long lines of traffic and congestion that plague my district,” saidAssemblyman Luis R. Sepúlveda. “Asthma rates around these highways are higher than anywhere else in the city and people are faced with toll and fare hikes every year. By increasing access and expanding options of public transportation as planned with the Move NY Fair Plan we can decrease vehicle traffic on our already over capacity roads and improve the health and well being of our residents.”

The Move NY Fair Plan offers positive benefits to the Assemblyman’s district:  anew Metro-North Penn Access line with four stations in the East Bronx, including a stop at Parkchester; reduced fares on MetroNorth within the city and discounted fares on all Express Bus Service – both of which will allow for more affordable options to get around the city more quickly and efficiently. In addition, many of the 2010 service cuts will be restored, bringing buses back to the communities who need them most. For those who rely on a car to get around, the plan sets aside $375 million annually to go to keeping our roads and bridges in good repair.

“Assemblyman Sepúlveda is emblematic of the leadership New Yorkers need in State government to fight for the future of our transportation system,” says Alex Matthiessen, Move NY’s Campaign Director and President of Blue Marble Project. “He has done his due diligence in reviewing the Move NY Fair Plan and concluded – as many do once they see the benefits – Move NY will make travel in and around the city faster, safer, and fairer. We look forward to working with him and other elected officials to make Move NY a reality.”

Specific benefits to Bronx residents include:

·         100% of tolled Bronx bridges will see reduced tolls

o   45% EZ-Pass Toll Reduction on Triboro/RFK, Whitestone, & Throgs Neck

o   39% EZ-Pass Toll Reduction on the Henry Hudson

·         No tolls on Harlem River bridges

·         Metro-North “City Ticket” extended to 7 days a week, with fare within city limits slashed to $6 peak/$4 off-peak

·         More Express Bus service

·         Express Bus fares reduced from $6.50 to $5.50

·         More frequent and less crowded subway trains

·         New Metro-North “Penn Access” line with four new stations in the East Bronx

·         Expanded ferry service

·         Continued extension of Second Avenue subway into Northern Manhattan and the Bronx

Information regarding the Move NY Fair Plan, including the finalized version of the plan itself, can be found at www.iHeartMoveNY.org.