MAYOR DE BLASIO AND SPEAKER JOHNSON ANNOUNCE FAIR FARES OPEN ENROLLMENT TO BEGIN JANUARY 2020

The City will also launch an ad campaign on subways, bus shelters, and online to ensure eligible New Yorkers are aware of and able to access the first-of-its-kind program

  Mayor de Blasio and City Council Speaker Johnson announced that open enrollment for the City’s Fair Fares initiative will begin on January 27. Open enrollment means that all eligible New Yorkers at or below the Federal Poverty line who don’t have discounted transportation from the MTA or the City will be able to apply for reduced-fare MetroCards via an online platform, further expanding to hundreds of thousands of additional New Yorkers. Currently, Fair Fares is only open to certain NYCHA residents, CUNY Students, veteran students or New Yorkers receiving Cash Assistance or SNAP benefits from the City’s Human Resources Administration (HRA).

“We're a city that puts working people first, and no New Yorker should have to choose between taking mass transit and putting food on the table," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “With the expansion of the Fair Fares program, we’ve connected nearly 100,000 New Yorkers to a half-priced MetroCard, getting us one step closer to our goal of being a just and equitable city for all.”

“We know how hard it can be to make ends meet in New York and that’s why we want everyone to know about the expansion of the Fair Fares program, which gives half-priced MetroCards to residents who meet the poverty threshold. With the launch of open enrollment and this dedicated outreach effort, we hope to assist as many New Yorkers as we can in the new year. Thank you to the all of the advocates who have partnered with us on this important endeavor. Together, we can make New York a more fair and just city,” said City Council Speaker Corey Johnson.

This next phase in the Fair Fares initiative builds on the City’s progress connecting New Yorkers in need to this vital resource in the program’s first year. In the first phase of Fair Fares, nearly 100,000 New Yorkers enrolled in the program, representing a more-than 50 percent take-up rate after targeting more than 180,000 New Yorkers.

Following the launch of the online platform in April, which introduced the option to sign up for Fair Fares through the City’s Access HRA application, participation increased dramatically, with nearly all of current enrollees opting in digitally, including through the mobile and web applications. In March of this year, to provide eligible New Yorkers with even more options, the City launched the pay-per-ride option, enabling those in need to obtain single fares.

This month, the City will also launch a comprehensive multi-million dollar campaign to ensure eligible New Yorkers across the five boroughs are aware of and able to access the program, including advertising on the subways, in buses and bus shelters, and online, as well as in local businesses, and community and ethnic newspapers in 11 languages. Together with the Council, the City will work with local community-based organizations to spread the word through on-the-ground outreach. Ahead of open enrollment, the Department of Social Services continues to conduct outreach to New Yorkers eligible in the first phase, including sending notifications, making telephone calls, and alerting HRA clients via their digital Access HRA accounts.

Currently, eligible New Yorkers can opt-in by going to www.nyc.gov/fairfares and following the link to enroll now. They can also visit the nearest Fair Fares NYC location or call 311 for assistance enrolling.

In January, the City will transition to a new online platform, open to all New Yorkers living at or below the poverty line. Visit www.nyc.gov/fairfares today and stay tuned for more information on how you can apply when the program opens on January 27.

“Access to public transportation is fundamental to the health and well-being of New Yorkers,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Raul Perea-Henze. “With the Fair Fares program, New Yorkers in need can reach jobs, health and social services, and recreational activities, and stay connected with family and friends. This next phase of the Fair Fares program will empower more New Yorkers with access to opportunities that support healthy communities.” 

“New Yorkers should not have to choose between a MetroCard or their next meal and therefore we are launching the next phase of Fair Fares to open up enrollment for residents of our City with income below the federal poverty level,” said Department of Social Services Commissioner Steven Banks. “In less than a year of the initial phase of Fair Fares, we have connected approximately 100,000 New Yorkers to this vital transportation assistance, providing lifelines to families and individuals struggling to make ends meet. We are committed to continuing our work with the Speaker and the City Council to address income inequality by helping New Yorkers pay for the cost of public transportation.”

“All New Yorkers should be afforded the dignity to use public transportation to meet their basic needs, regardless of socio-economic status,” said HRA Administrator Grace Bonilla. “Today’s announcement guarantees that even more individuals will benefit from our transformative Fair Fares initiative, making life easier for thousands of hard-working New Yorkers who rely upon mass transit every day. We are proud to work alongside City Council, Community Service Society, the Riders Alliance, and other advocacy groups in our joint mission of making New York City fairer and more equitable for all.”  

“Few things are as essential to survive in our city as a MetroCard, your ticket to work, to classes, to health care, and home to your kids at night.  Now hundreds of thousands of additional low-income New Yorkers will be able to better afford bus and subway rides, thanks to the full rollout of Fair Fares announced today by Mayor Bill de Blasio and Speaker Corey Johnson,” said David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society. “We look forward to a robust public outreach effort, on par with other successful landmark city initiatives, like preK, that are providing the means for upward mobility to those working hard to get ahead.”

Bronx Metro-North Study Update: Study Next Steps and MTA Capital Budget

MTA Submits for Full Capital Funding MTA continues to target the end of 2023 for new rail service planned for Hunts Point, Co-op City, Morris Park, and Parkchester/Van Nest. As a clear sign of their continued commitment to the project, the MTA's latest capital budget (which will be subject to a final vote) released in September 2019 exceeded the previous allocation and called for full funding of the four new Metro-North stations in the Bronx. This means that these neighborhoods will see expanded service within only a few years.  Study Progress While the MTA continues to target the end of 2023 for new rail service, our team of City agencies (NYC Departments of City Planning, Transportation, & the NYC Economic Development Corporation) have been working to ensure that neighborhood planning keeps pace with the project and that the areas around the Co-op City, Morris Park, Parkchester/Van Nest and Hunts Point communities and station areas are ready for new service. The Metro-North Study Team has also been coordinating with Metro-North through the design process to thoughtfully integrate the new stations into the surrounding neighborhoods.  To date, we have had many conversations and held public events, including: Fall 2018: Public workshops in Parkchester/Van Nest and Morris Park, where participants engaged in activities and offered feedback on preferences and needs in the areas around the new stations Winter 2019: Public open houses to share draft recommendations for the Parkchester/Van Nest and Morris Park station areas Summer 2019: Public workshops in Hunts Point and Co-op City If you missed the events, you can access summaries and materials on this page. Next Steps We appreciate your engagement in the planning process and thoughtful feedback so far. Over the next few months, we will continue our work compiling and addressing your comments, and coordinating between the state and city agencies involved in the project. Stay tuned for future announcements of public meetings to be held in the Spring of 2020 when we look forward to sharing updated recommendations and continuing to work with you to plan for new service in the new year and new decade! If you have questions in the meantime, please email the study team at bronxmetronorth@planning.nyc.gov. Find Out More

Wave Hill events January 9‒January 16

Thu, January 9

Wave Hill House closed for Renovations

Historic Wave Hill House is closed through Friday, January 10, for renovations.

Wave Hill House

Fri, January 10

Wave Hill House closed for Renovations

Historic Wave Hill House is closed through today for renovations.

Wave Hill House

Sat, January 11

Family Art Project: Cyclical Calendars and Fractal Phenology 

Get intentional about how you want to spend your year. Create goals for yourself that mimic nature’s natural processes. Look to the moon, seedlings that bloom and seasonal cycles to chart your own growth. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sun, January 12

Winter Birding

The Hudson River valley hosts an impressive diversity of bird species, even during the winter months. Explore Wave Hill’s tranquil gardens and woodlands with naturalist Gabriel Willow to observe birds in their winter habitats. Birders of all levels welcome. Ages 10 and older welcome with an adult. Severe weather cancels. NYC Audubon members enjoy two-for-one admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 9:30AM

Sun, January 12

Family Art Project: Cyclical Calendars and Fractal Phenology 

Get intentional about how you want to spend your year. Create goals for yourself that mimic nature’s natural processes. Look to the moon, seedlings that bloom and seasonal cycles to chart your own growth. Free with admission to the grounds.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

Sun, January 12

Concert: Bruce Molsky’s Mountain Drifters

Bruce Molsky is one of the most revered ambassadors for America’s old-time mountain music. For decades, he’s been a globetrotting performer and educator, a recording artist with an expansive discography including seven solo albums, well more than a dozen collaborations and two Grammy-nominations. Concerts begin at 2PM and last approximately one hour with no intermission. Ticket prices (including admission to the grounds): Adults: $30 at the door/$14 at the door for children ages 8-18. Purchase your tickets in advance and save $2 per ticket. Wave Hill Members save 10%. Order tickets online at wavehill.org or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. Learn more at wavehill.org.

Wave Hill House, 2PM

Sun, January 12

Garden and Conservatory Highlights Walk

Join a Wave Hill Garden Guide for a public tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

Meet at Perkins Visitor Center, 2PM

Mon, January 13

Wave Hill is closed.

Tue, January 14

Art Workshop series begins: Photography and Text  *SOLD OUT*

Whether in a newspaper, monograph, museum exhibit, or home album, photographs often appear with a caption or other textual accompaniment. Explore the uses and effects of the written word in photography through slide lectures, class discussions and critiques of student work, with writer and photographer Benjamin Swett. Dress warmly for outdoor photography in the serene winter gardens and trails of Wave Hill. $155; Wave Hill Members save 10%. Registration required, online at wavehill.org or at the Perkins Visitor Center, starting November 13. This three-session series continues January 21 and 28.

Wave Hill House, 10AM–1PM

                         

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River  and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

HOURS – Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM–4:30PM, November 1–March 14. Closes 5:30PM, starting March 15.

ADMISSION – $10 adults, $6 students and seniors 65+, $4 children 6–18. Free Saturday and Tuesday mornings until noon. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6.

PROGRAM FEES – Programs are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

  

DIRECTIONS – Getting here is easy! Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, as well as the W. 242nd Street stop on the #1 subway line. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and our front gate. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/.

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.

Comptroller Stringer Audit Finds Widespread Misuse of Funds at 47th Street BID

Comptroller Stringer Audit Finds Widespread Misuse of Funds at 47th Street BID

Audit revealed the 47th Street Business Improvement District (BID) improperly spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on security services outside the district and did not adequately monitor expenses

BID’s former Executive Director collected a salary $25-38K higher than heads of similarly sized BIDs and used BID funds totaling $87k for unauthorized payments and personal expenses

Comptroller Stringer recommends the 47th Street BID maintain and monitor detailed documentation on salaries, contracts, invoices, and purchases

 New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer released a new audit of the 47th Street Business Improvement District (BID), also known as the “Diamond District,” which found that the not-for-profit organization engaged in gross financial mismanagement by improperly spending BID funds and potentially misreporting its financial activities. Since 1997, the City, under the purview of the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS), has contracted with the 47th Street BID to deliver services for the area of 47th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues (the District) including security, marketing, maintenance, and administration funded by property assessments levied on property owners within the BID, which the City collects and disburses to the BID.

Comptroller Stringer’s audit found that the BID Board and management improperly used BID funds, contrary to its contractual obligations with SBS, including, most notably by spending $210,835 on security services in Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) for a building located outside of the District, and paying between $25,242 and $38,664 more for the salary of its former Executive Director than other similarly sized BIDs in New York City. The audit also revealed that the BID’s former Executive Director processed unauthorized raises, commissions, and benefits payments for himself and the former Executive Assistant, totaling $68,318, and paid for nearly $19,000 in personal expenses in FY17 with BID funds.

“New York City’s Business Improvement Districts are charged with bolstering our commercial corridors, beautifying our streets and connecting residents and visitors with the small local businesses that fuel our economy,” said New York City Comptroller Scott M. Stringer. “Instead, this audit of the 47th Street BID revealed blatant misuse of funds, and potentially a violation of the public trust. I urge the 47th Street BID to heed the recommendations in the report and implement best practices for greater oversight, accountability, and transparency New Yorkers deserve.”

Comptroller Stringer’s audit of the 47th Street BID found that the BID grossly misspent BID funds in the following ways during Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17):

• The BID’s former Executive Director processed unauthorized raises, commissions, and benefits payments for himself and the former Executive Assistant, totaling $68,318, and paid for personal expenses totaling $18,686 with BID funds, including for taxis ($10,127), cell phone service ($6,390), and meals ($2,169) onto the BID’s debit card.

• The former Executive Director also made inadequately supported payments totaling $70,500 to an outside consultant—his son—who was also married to the former Executive Assistant.

• The BID improperly spent $210,835 on security services that did not principally benefit properties located within the BID.

• The BID failed to document that it had conducted a competitive procurement process for purchases of goods and services that totaled $263,970; nor did it justify and obtain approval from the BID Board for procuring those goods and services on a non-competitive basis, as its own procedures require.

• The BID did not execute written contracts or obtain invoices adequately detailing the scope of services provided to the businesses in the District for expenditures totaling at least $133,237.

Comptroller Stringer’s audit further found deficiencies in governance and contract performance at the 47th Street BID, such as the following:

• The BID had no written conflict of interest policy and failed to comply with its own by-laws regarding Board composition and meeting minutes.

• The BID did not post required information on its website about its Board, management, finances, programs, and services, and the businesses served in the District.

• The BID Board improperly included members who do not own or lease and occupy space in the District.

Comptroller Stringer’s audit included a series of recommendations to the 47th Street BID to ensure the not-for-profit organization maintained adequate financial records and engaged in ethical practices. The recommendations included:

• The BID should stop providing security services that do not principally benefit properties within the 47th Street BID as required by its contract with SBS.

• The BID should seek reimbursement for the cost of security services it improperly incurred, including but not limited to the $210,835 it spent in FY17 to provide security services through the New York City Police Department (NYPD) paid detail program to a building located outside the BID.

• The BID should monitor and review salaries, bonuses, and other financial transactions to ensure they are approved before being paid out.

• The BID should maintain copies of vendor contracts and invoices documenting services, payment terms, and authorization.

To read Comptroller Stringer’s audit of the 47th Street BID, click here.

Happy Holidays from the South Bronx - Third Avenue Business Improvement District

LIVE.     WORK.     SHOP.     THRIVE.

VISION ZERO: DE BLASIO ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES NEW CRACKDOWN ON DANGEROUS DRIVING DURING THE HOLIDAYS AND LOWER SPEED LIMIT ON TWO OF BROOKLYN’S BUSIEST STREETS

Expanded enforcement during holidays; new 25 MPH speed limit along Third and Hamilton Avenues in Brooklyn 

 Today, de Blasio Administration officials came together in Queens to announce increased traffic enforcement during the holiday season, and that the City will lower the speed limit from 30 MPH to 25 MPH along Third and Hamilton Avenues in Brooklyn starting next month. The period around Christmas and New Year’s Day, the darkest days of the year, has also generally been among the deadliest of the year on city streets. Officials also issued an update on traffic fatality trends for 2019: despite setbacks, this year is on track to conclude as the second-safest in New York City’s recorded history.

“While we’ve made tremendous progress over the past six years with Vision Zero, there is still undoubtedly more work to do to make our streets safer,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “The recent traffic fatalities have made us even more determined to keep Vision Zero moving forward. We’re increasing our traffic enforcement efforts and lowering the speed limit on two of Brooklyn’s busiest streets to ensure that all New Yorkers arrive home safely for the holidays.”

“Any life lost is a tragedy, and while we continue to build off the progress from Vision Zero, this year’s challenges reminded us of the work still to be done,” said Deputy Mayor Laura Anglin. “During this final week of 2019, which has historically proven to be one of the most dangerous times of the year, we will be cracking down on dangerous drivers so that everyone can get home to their families for the holidays.”

The Administration, in response to the recent 6 traffic fatalities, announced expanded enforcement efforts, both via the NYPD and through automated enforcement.

Dusk and Darkness, cont’d: The period between Christmas and New Year’s Day, among the darkest weeks of the year, is also usually among the deadliest of the year for pedestrians.  In 2018, five people – including four pedestrians—were killed from December 23 to 31. This coming week, as part of its Dusk and Darkness campaign, NYPD will be expanding their enforcement efforts to ensure the streets are safe for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.

Expanded Truck Enforcement: With increasing number of crashes in 2019 involving cyclists and pedestrians being struck by trucks, the NYPD has increased enforcement against commercial trucks to ensure these vehicles are following all traffic laws.

A Safer 25 MPH speed limit on Third Avenue and Hamilton Avenue in Brooklyn: Following 6 fatalities in 2019, DOT will lower the speed limit from 30 MPH to 25 MPH along Third Avenue from Prospect Ave to 62^nd St (2.3 miles), and Hamilton Ave from Luquer St to 18^th St (1.9 miles), in January 2020.

More life-saving speed cameras: After a new and stronger speed camera law was enacted in Albany and took effect on July 11^th, DOT has continued its unprecedented expansion of cameras.  As 2019 ends, DOT has 364 camera zones now in operation, up from 140 at the beginning of 2019, and will expand cameras at a pace of 60 zones per month in the coming year. The agency is on pace to meet the Mayor’s goal of reaching each of the law’s maximum 750 school zones by next summer.

“We had a difficult and challenging year under Vision Zero, and as 2019 comes to a close, we want to make sure that this holiday season is a joyous and safe one for all New Yorkers,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “We have grieved at the loss of life on our streets this year, particularly along Third Avenue, which has seen six fatalities this year as opposed to two in 2018. The Mayor has asked DOT and NYPD to take aggressive action on this corridor with its challenging mix of residential and industrial uses and heavy traffic on and off the Gowanus Expressway. We believe that lowering the speed limit along Third and Hamilton Avenues, coupled with strong enforcement, will help calm traffic in the burgeoning neighborhoods of Gowanus, Red Hook and Sunset Park.  In 2020, DOT will also install additional roadway engineering and capital improvements to help make this challenging corridor even safer.”

“As the start of 2020 approaches, the NYPD renews its commitment to protecting all New Yorkers from dangerous driving behaviors,” said NYPD Chief of Transportation William Morris. “The vision of New York as a city where all members of the community, and particularly bicyclists and pedestrians, can use roads safely without the threat of death or injury remains as compelling as ever.  We will continue to work closely with our Vision Zero partners to ensure the successful implementation of the Green Wave Plan.”

Administration officials today also noted the notable Vision Zero trends of 2019:

Traffic fatalities increased for first time since Vision Zero began in 2014, but 2019 will likely be New York City’s second safest year: As of December 22, traffic fatalities are now at 215, more than the 203 recorded in all of 2018, New York City’s safest-ever year – with a year-to-year rise in fatalities of below 10 percent.  Under current trends, 2019 is likely to end as the second-safest year in the City’s recorded history.  Six of the seven safest years for traffic fatalities have occurred since New York City became the first American city to institute Vision Zero in 2014.

Pedestrian deaths in NYC continue to hold steady, but more SUVs/light trucks on the road create challenges: After a dramatic decline in pedestrian fatalities two years ago (when fatalities fell from 148 in 2016 to 108 in 2017), NYC pedestrian fatalities have remained at about the same level: 117 as of December 22 compared to 115 in all of 2018.  Nationally, pedestrian fatalities have risen every year for the last decade, a change that has been partially attributed to the increased share of SUVs/light trucks, which are deadlier to pedestrians and cyclists in crashes.  This year, DOT released new data showing that the share of deadly crashes involving SUVs/light trucks rose from 40% in 2013-17 to 46% since the start of 2018.

Cyclist deaths were up, but motorcyclist deaths were down: After a record-low year for bicycle fatalities in 2018 (10 fatalities), bicycling deaths in New York City increased in 2019 by the largest margin of any travel mode.  To date this year, 28 cyclists have been killed, the most of any year since 1999.  Meanwhile, motorcyclist fatalities have declined from 40 last year to 25 so far this year.

Sharp increase in Brooklyn cyclist fatalities: Of the 28 cyclist deaths in 2019, 17 happened in Brooklyn.  In 2018, Brooklyn saw only 2 cyclist fatalities.

Borough breakdown: safest-year ever in the Bronx: The Bronx saw the safest year in its recorded history, with 27 fatalities thus far in 2019, compared to 38 last year. (Its previous record low was 32 in 2007.) Staten Island, which had its safest-ever year last year (with 7 fatalities) has seen its second-safest year in 2019 with 8 fatalities thus far.  In Manhattan and Queens, fatality trends were largely unchanged, with only Brooklyn seeing a notable increase.

Agency officials also pointed today to a number of major initiatives undertaken by Vision Zero Task Force agencies in 2019:

Major projects for pedestrians: Noting the increased fatalities of the last few weeks, DOT has committed to studying and addressing immediate safety fixes along corridors and at intersections where those traffic fatalities occurred. Other streets have been identified for major safety upgrades in the next year are Northern Boulevard and Queens Boulevard, both identified for safety upgrades in the updated Borough Pedestrian Safety Action Plans, released by the Mayor last February. Meanwhile, the new Glacier Rock Pedestrian Space in Long Island City is among dozens of projects that DOT undertook in 2019 that offer safety benefits to pedestrians. Other major successful projects in 2019, some in partnership with NYPD, included new-shared streets in downtown Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan; the expansion of pedestrian space along 8^th Avenue in Midtown and the increased pedestrian space around Rockefeller Center for the holiday season. 

Green Wave, making cycling safer: In July, in response to the upturn in cyclist fatalities, the de Blasio Administration released its Green Wave plan to dramatically expand cycling infrastructure.  DOT crews had installed 21.4 miles of new protected bike lanes (PBLs) for 2019, including the Administration’s 100th PBL mile along Fountain Avenue in East New York, Brooklyn. Under the Green Wave and with the enactment of the Safe Streets Master Plan, DOT expects to install 60 additional miles of protected bike lanes by the end of 2021 (30 miles in each of the next two years) – increasing the size of New York City’s on-street protected bike lane network by 60%.  Among major protected bike lane projects completed in 2019: Central Park West, 11^th Avenue, 52^nd and 55^th Streets in Manhattan; 4^th Avenue and 7^th Avenue in Brooklyn; and Willis Avenue in the Bronx.  For the first time during UN General Assembly week in September, the NYPD and DOT also partnered to maintain uninterrupted PBL access along First and Second Avenues.

Better Buses: As part of the Administration’s Better Buses plan, DOT made street improvements that improve bus speeds, but those changes have also been shown to increase safety for all street users.  Among the major projects undertaken in 2019 were Manhattan’s 14^th Street busway, as well as Brooklyn’s Church Avenue and Fresh Pond Road in Queens, congested streets where new bus lanes were added.

Safe Fleet Transition Plan: DCAS is purchasing vehicles with improved safety features, including automatic braking, back-up cameras, driver alerts, designs that improve driver visibility, heated mirrors, and other technologies that monitor speeding and instances of reckless driving. DCAS also leads the country in installing side-guards, barriers that prevent vehicles and cyclists from sliding under large trucks during side-impact collisions. To date, 2,700 vehicles have been equipped with side-guards and more are being added every day.

TLC: The TLC connected drivers and bicyclists in its first Bike Ride and Discussion event this June. Drivers rode on Citi Bikes through Brooklyn with cyclist advocates, followed by a discussion of the experience, challenges they encountered, and safe ways to share the road. In addition, the TLC distributed over 32,000 "Look for Cyclist" stickers to driver centers across the city. Our annual Honor Roll this year recognized 433 drivers, of which 101 were repeat honorees. Over 11,000 drivers received Vision Zero education in 2019, and the TLC has held a total of 661 driver outreach meetings since 2014.  The TLC also increased its enforcement in 2019 around unsafe driving behaviors, such as illegal street hails, speeding, failure to yield, and stop sign violations.

Commercial Waste Collection Reform: In past years, progress on Vision Zero has been hindered by the continued high number of fatalities caused by collisions with private carting trucks -- including eight such deaths in 2019.  The plan enacted by the City Council in 2019 will dramatically reduce the number of vehicle-miles traveled by these trucks, and also gives the Business Integrity Commission (BIC) new regulatory powers -- including requirements for safer driving practices among carting drivers.

New Mayoral Vision Zero website: This week, the Mayor’s Office of Operations has unveiled a new and improved website that will help track and measure progress of Vision Zero initiatives.  Please see ww.nyc.gov/visionzero.

  

“This year we have seen an increase in pedestrian and cyclist deaths across the City. We have also made many strides to make our streets safer for all New Yorkers. We have drastically increased speed cameras around school zones as well as the number of protected bike lane miles across the City,” said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Chairman of the Transportation Committee. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: We left in the comment from the City Council Traffic & Transportation Chair, because he and the city council have been ineffective going against drivers while not educating pedestrians to also be careful as was done in previous administrations. Cameras do not take bad drivers off the road, police officers do.

Drivers have to watch out for not only other vehicles, but pedestrians darting out from anywhere (even from behind large parked trucks) expecting the driver to see them and then stop so they can cross the street anywhere. Then there are the bike and E-Bikes riders who ignore traffic signals or signs, some with no lights or reflectors at night.