Governor Cuomo Announces State Police Columbus Day Weekend Traffic Enforcement

 

Troopers will focus on Speeding and Impaired Motorists in North Country, Capital Region, Central New York and Hudson Valley

Statewide Distracted Driving Enforcement Campaign to Run October 8 through October 12 

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the New York State Police will conduct special traffic enforcement efforts for the upcoming Columbus Day Weekend to crackdown on speeding and impaired motorists. The Columbus Day campaign will begin on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020 and run through Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. Troopers expect increased traffic volume during the period due to the holiday weekend and fall tourism, which poses additional risks on our roadways. This enforcement detail will take place in the North Country, Syracuse region, Capital Region and the Catskills.

The targeted Columbus Day Weekend enforcement coincides with the statewide "U Drive. U Text. U Pay." mobilization to keep distracted drivers off the road. During this high-visibility campaign, State Police and local law enforcement from across the state will be cracking down on distracted driving throughout the holiday weekend.

"A fall foliage sightseeing trip is a great way for families to enjoy a safe and social distanced excursion, and our Troopers will be out patrolling to prevent needless tragedies caused by those who choose to speed or drive while impaired," Governor Cuomo said. "New York has zero tolerance for impaired and distracted drivers. I am urging all motorists to drive responsibly and save lives."

Superintendent Keith M. Corlett said, "We want drivers to understand that speeding and distracted driving can bring tragic consequences. Our Troopers will be highly visible during this traffic enforcement period to ensure that drivers are following the posted speed limits and removing reckless drivers from the road. We encourage drivers to do their part by obeying traffic laws, staying alert and designating a sober driver if they have been drinking. Together, we can keep our roadways safe for those who travel them." 

Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Governor's Traffic Safety Commission Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder said, "This weekend is a great time to see the changing fall colors in New York State but one thing that should never change is being a safe driver. Distracted driving, speeding and impaired driving are preventable and needlessly put everyone on the road in danger. This weekend and whenever you travel, please follow the speed limit, put your phone away and always drive sober. If you're celebrating, have a plan to get home safely."

Motorists who are traveling this weekend can also expect a number of sobriety checkpoints and additional DWI patrols. Law enforcement will also be looking for motorists who are using their phones and other electronic devices while behind the wheel. Drivers should also remember to "move over" for stopped emergency and hazard vehicles stopped on the side of the road. 

Troopers will be using both marked State Police vehicles and Concealed Identity Traffic Enforcement (CITE) vehicles as part of this crackdown in order to more easily identify motorists who are violating the law. CITE vehicles allow the Trooper to better observe driving violations.  These vehicles blend in with everyday traffic but are unmistakable as emergency vehicles once the emergency lighting is activated. 

The State Police are reminding all motorists to be safe, don't drink and drive, stay off your mobile phones while driving, drive the speed limit, and buckle up all occupants. The main goal of this initiative is to deter unsafe driving behaviors and raise awareness of the importance of traffic safety.

During the 2019 "U Drive. U Text. U Pay." mobilization, which is supportedby the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee, more than 5,000 tickets were issued for distracted driving and more than 46,000 tickets were issued for other serious traffic violations such as impaired driving and speeding.

Tickets issued during last year's "U Drive. U Text. U Pay." enforcement campaign:

Violations	Number of Tickets
Distracted Driving	5,184
Impaired	1,298
Move Over Law	398
Seat Belt	1,768
Speeding	9,194
Other Violation	34,288
Total	52,130

To help deter motorists from talking on a cell phone without a hands-free device, texting, or using an electronic device while driving, New York State has set strict penalties. The penalties can range from $50 to $450 in fines, 5 driver violation points, and suspension or revocation of license.

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - OCTOBER 9, 2020

 

"Red Zone" Focus Areas in Four Counties, with 2.8 Percent of State Population, Have Had 19.7 Percent of All Positive Cases in New York State over Past 3 Weeks

Over Past 3 Weeks, "Red Zone" Focus Areas in Four Counties Positivity is 6.4 Percent; New York State Positivity Without Red Zones Included is 0.91 Percent

6 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday

SLA and State Police Task Force Visits 635 Establishments; Observes 7 Establishments Not in Compliance

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor detailed testing results from areas where the state is seeing upticks in cases over the past weeks. In "Red Zone" focus areas in four counties, the positivity rate over the past three weeks has been 6.4 percent, compared to the rest of the state at 0.91 percent. These "Red Zone" focus areas are home to 2.8 percent of state's population, yet have been where 19.7 percent of all positive cases statewide have come from over the past three weeks.

"Our response to these clusters shows just how advanced our testing system is. We do more tests per day than most states do per week. When you do 140,000 tests, you get data that is so granular that you can track it to the block," Governor Cuomo said. "Whenever there is a cluster, we have attacked it, so this situation is nothing new. Our numbers statewide remain positive, but we must work together to protect our progress: It's going to take all of us to keep washing our hands, wearing our masks, remaining socially distant, getting our flu shots and staying New York Tough."

In addition to monitoring the testing results from areas designated as "Red Zones," New York State also tracks testing results on a ZIP code level in areas where there are hot spot, cluster situations. Within the top 20 ZIP codes in counties with recent outbreaks - Brooklyn, Queens, and Rockland and Orange Counties - the average rate of positive test results reported yesterday was 5.4 percent. The rate of positive tests for the remainder of New York State, not counting these 20 ZIP codes, was 0.90 percent. These 20 ZIP codes contained 25 percent of all positive cases in New York State yesterday, but represent only 6.6 percent of the state's population. In these ZIPs, 7,307 test results were reported to New York State yesterday, yielding 398 positives. In the remainder of the state, 131,993 tests were conducted yielding 1,194 positives.

Yesterday, the State Liquor Authority and State Police Task Force visited 635 establishments in New York City and Long Island and observed 7establishments that were not in compliance with state requirements. A county breakdown of yesterday's observed violations is below:

• Queens - 1
• Nassau - 5
• Suffolk - 1

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Patient Hospitalization - 779 (+25)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 122
• Hospital Counties - 38
• Number ICU - 168 (-4)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 78 (+11)
• Total Discharges - 77,432 (+81)
• Deaths - 6
• Total Deaths - 25,561

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES $450 MILLION IN LABOR SAVINGS

 

Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced that the City has reached an arbitration agreement with the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) that will result in $450 million in savings in fiscal year 2021. The agreement includes partial payment of lump sum payments which were scheduled to be paid this month, and a commitment the City will not layoff teachers through at least June 30, 2021. The Adopted Budget announced in June included $1 billion in labor savings for FY21 and these savings will account for nearly half of that commitment. The City still needs a minimum of $5 billion in federal or state relief in order to avoid drastic action such as layoffs for FY22.

 

“The City faces the gravest fiscal crisis since 9/11, but we will build on our record of strong financial management by making the tough decisions and sacrifices we need to keep the City running,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This agreement allows us to avoid laying off the teachers who’ve done so much for New York City’s schools and students. But make no mistake, the need for the Federal and State governments to step up and provide us with aid is as pressing as ever.”

 

The agreement includes:

 

Partial payment: Half of scheduled payment (approx. $450 million) to be paid in October 2020, remaining half to be paid in July 2021.

 

Commitment on layoffs: No layoffs of teachers through June 30, 2021. If the City receives State and Federal assistance of $5 billion or more, the no-layoff pledge is extended to June 30, 2022.

 

Facing an economic downturn driven by COVID-19, the de Blasio Administration has built on its record of strong fiscal management to ensure a robust recovery for New York City:

Increased annual budget reserves to record levels: Along with the City Council, City Hall amassed a record level of $6 billion in budget reserves before the pandemic hit, which were key to savings lives as COVID hit.
Historic cuts and savings in Adopted Budget: The Administration had $7 billion in reserves and savings to balance this year’s budget due to careful planning and savings.
Hiring freeze and vacancy reduction savings: City Hall generated over $600 million citywide in FY20 and FY21 since June 2019 and reduced budgeted headcount by over 5,300 in FY21.
Workforce actions: Furloughs of all managerial and non-represented City employees generated $22 million in savings. On top of other actions, this helped us cut this fiscal year’s Mayor’s Office budget by 12%.
Debt service savings: Achieved $604 million in debt service savings since June 2019 and can achieve hundreds of millions more depending on City Comptroller action.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

While the mayor mentions a $450 Million Dollar savings in Fiscal Year 2021, the mayor fails to mention that Fiscal Year 2021 began on July 1, 2020, and closes out on June 30, 2021, Thus the mayor is pushing half of this payment back one year into Fiscal Year 2022, which the city could be in worse shape than it is currently in. The mayor will be laying off all other city workers except teachers by this agreement. That means all other none UFT personal can be laid off from schools including administrators of any school. 

Good going Mayor de Blasio, would you like to play some poker with me. 

The Bronx Tourism Council - Tour de Bronx 2020

 

OFFICIAL NEWS FROM THE BRONX TOURISM COUNCIL OCTOBER 9, 2020 WEBSITE           VISITOR GUIDE           GO BX POD            OCTOBER 10 to NOVEMBER 8 Choose from 3 different routes Ride at your own pace ... in your own time ... with your own crew! Click here for more information Leonard Jerome of JEROME AVENUE in The Bronx, also had a very famous grandson who played a pivotal role in World War II. Who was he? CLICK HERE and Listen to Episode 7 of Go Bronx Pod today.

Queens Pharmacy Operator Charged With Obstruction Of Justice For Sending Powder Cocaine To DEA Investigator’s Home

 

 Audrey Strauss, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Raymond P. Donovan, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), and Dermot Shea, the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), announced today that DIMITRIOS LYMBERATOS, the operator of a Queens pharmacy, has been charged with obstruction of justice for arranging for a package containing white powder, later identified as cocaine, to be sent to the home address of a DEA Diversion Investigator who was investigating LYMBERATOS’s pharmacy.  LYMBERATOS surrendered to the DEA this morning and will be presented before United States Magistrate Judge Barbara Moses in Manhattan federal court later today.

Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “When Dimitrios Lymberatos learned his pharmacy was under investigation by the DEA, he allegedly took sinister action against a Diversion Investigator assigned to his case.  Lymberatos allegedly sought to interfere with the investigation through intimidation, by sending cocaine to the Investigator’s home, potentially causing physical harm.  Lymberatos’s misguided message was received loud and clear – and he now faces the possibility of a lengthy prison term for his potentially harmful attempt to obstruct law enforcement.”

DEA Special Agent in Charge Raymond P. Donovan said:  “Today’s arrest is another example to the public that DEA Registrants can set out to do harm with ill intent.  One of our own Diversion Investigators was allegedly targeted simply for doing their job, and as such, Mr. Lymberatos’s alleged actions as a pharmacist and licensed professional were completely unconscionable.  Thankfully, due to the diligent work of our Tactical Diversion Squads, he will be brought to justice.” 

NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said:  “I want to commend the officers, detectives, federal agents, and prosecutors who worked together to investigate the dangerous acts alleged in these charges.”

According to the allegations in the Complaint unsealed today[1]:

LYMBERATOS is the operator of a pharmacy in Queens, New York.  Beginning in or about November 2019, the DEA, led by a DEA Diversion Investigator, conducted an overt regulatory investigation into the pharmacy, which had the effect of delaying the issuance of the pharmacy’s registration to dispense controlled substances.  LYMBERATOS responded to the investigation of his pharmacy by taking steps to obstruct the investigation, including hiring a private investigator to obtain the Diversion Investigator’s home address, and then causing to be mailed to the Diversion Investigator’s home a greeting card containing a white powdery substance, which law enforcement later determined to be cocaine.  Upon receiving the package with white powder, the Diversion Investigator immediately notified law enforcement, which responded to the scene, and the Diversion Investigator was taken to the hospital for toxicology screening.  LYMBERATOS caused the package to be sent to the Diversion Investigator in order to interfere with and obstruct the pending investigation into his pharmacy by threatening the Diversion Investigator, deliberately causing the Diversion Investigator to fear for her physical safety, and seeking to create trouble for the Diversion Investigator by causing her to come into possession of an illegal controlled substance. 

LYMBERATOS, 34, of Queens, New York, is charged with one count of obstruction of justice and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice.  Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.  The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. 

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA’s New York Tactical Diversion Squad, which comprises agents and officers from the DEA, the New York City Police Department, the New York State Police, New York State Department of Financial Services, New York National Guard, New York City Department of Investigation, and New York State Department of Health Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement.  Ms. Strauss also praised the outstanding work of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) New York Strike Force Tactical Diversion Squad.  The OCDETF New York Strike Force is a crime-fighting unit comprising federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.  The Strike Force is affiliated with the DEA’s New York Division and includes agents and officers of the DEA, New York City Police Department, New York State Police, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Marshals Service, New York National Guard, Clarkstown Police Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Port Washington Police Department, and New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

 [1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint and the description of the Complaint set forth herein constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.

Attorney General James Charges Bronx Clinic Owner With Stealing More Than $4 Million From New York Taxpayers

 

Leslie Montgomery Allegedly Offered Fraudulent Affordable Housing to Scam Low-Income New Yorkers Into Revealing Their Personal Identifying Information 

  Attorney General Letitia James today announced charges against Leslie Montgomery, 49, of the Bronx and her healthcare clinic, Healthy Living Community Center (Healthy Living), for defrauding the New York State Medicaid program by submitting false claims to Medicaid and to MetroPlus, a Medicaid-funded managed care organization (MCO), for customized back braces. Montgomery and Healthy Living allegedly pocketed more than $4 million from the illegal scheme that involved tricking New Yorkers into divulging personal information under the false pretense of applying for affordable housing. Montgomery is charged in the New York City Criminal Court, Bronx County, with Grand Larceny in the First Degree and Identity Theft in the First Degree.

“Using affordable housing as a pretense for Medicaid theft is reprehensible,” said Attorney General James. “My office will do everything in our power to stop New Yorkers in need of housing assistance from being left in the lurch and having their information be unwittingly used for theft from New York taxpayers.”

The Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (“MFCU”) alleges that Montgomery regularly advertised online a housing assistance program as a ruse to lure Medicaid recipients to Healthy Living, where they had to divulge their personal Medicaid information in order to “qualify for the program.” There was no legitimate housing assistance program, prosecutors contend, and there was no housing provided to those individuals who responded to the advertisements. 

Instead, Montgomery allegedly stole their personal information to submit false claims to Medicaid for highly specialized, custom-molded back braces. Almost every single Healthy Living recipient had back braces billed in their name. None, allegedly, received custom-molded back braces. In some instances, Montgomery provided a $20 “off-the-shelf” back brace mailed directly from Amazon to the recipient. Other times, she provided nothing at all, yet she billed Medicaid between $750 and $1,550 per back brace. 

Relying on the accuracy of claims submitted by Montgomery and Healthy Living, the Office of Attorney General (OAG) alleges that Medicaid-funded MCOs, such as MetroPlus, paid more than $4 million to Montgomery, directly and through Health Living. 

In papers filed today, Montgomery was charged with Grand Larceny in the First Degree, a Class B felony, and Identity Theft in the First Degree, a Class D felony. Grand Larceny in the First Degree carries a maximum sentence of incarceration of twenty-five years. 

Montgomery was arraigned earlier today in New York City Criminal Court, Bronx County before the Honorable Jeffrey Zimmerman where she was released under the conditions that she surrenders her passport, waives extradition, and restricts travel to within New York state. 

The charges against the defendant are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty in a court of law. The Attorney General would like to thank the New York State Department of Health, Office of the Medicaid Inspector General, and the MCO MetroPlus for their assistance and cooperation in this investigation.  

MFCU’s investigation was led by Investigator Shavaun Clawson with the assistance of Supervising Investigator James Briscoe, under the supervision of Deputy Chief Investigator Kenneth Morgan. The underlying financial audit was completed by Senior Auditor Investigator Ying Tuo with the assistance of NYC Regional Deputy Chief Auditor Jonathan Romano and NYC Regional Chief Auditor Thomasina Smith. Also assisting in the investigation were Legal Assistants Nicholas Matthews and Victoria Sepe and Data Scientist Si Lok Chao.

Reporting Medicaid Provider Fraud: The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of the Office of the New York State Attorney General enforces laws that protect the public fisc by addressing Medicaid provider fraud and that protect nursing home residents from abuse and neglect. If an individual believes they have information about Medicaid provider fraud or about an incident of abuse or neglect of a nursing home resident, they can file a confidential complaint online on the OAG website at https://ag.ny.gov/nursinghomes, or by calling the MFCU hotline at 212-417-5397. If the situation is an emergency, please call 911.

MFCU receives 75 percent of its funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant award totaling $60,071,905 for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2019-20, of which $45,053,932 is federally funded. The remaining 25 percent of the approved grant, totaling $15,017,973 for FY 2019-20, is funded by New York state. Through MFCU’s recoveries in law enforcement actions, MFCU regularly returns more to the state than it receives in state funding.

RECOVERY AGENDA: NEW YORK CITY DELIVERS ON ‘BETTER BUSES’ PROMISE, ADDS BIKE IMPROVEMENTS IN SOUTH BRONX

 

149^th Street bus priority project includes Transit Signal Priority and serves 55,000 passengers daily; new bus-lane enforcement cameras also installed; 60-day warning period for drivers starting today

 

Bronx celebrates almost 100,000 Citi Bike rides since spring at 100 stations

 Mayor Bill de Blasio announced major bus and bike improvements in the Bronx today, furthering his record-setting Better Buses Restart plan and continuing to deliver on his recovery agenda to make New York City the world’s capital for healthy outdoor living. Bus improvements along 149^th Street, which will serve 55,000 daily passengers, include 2.7 miles of offset bus lanes from Southern Boulevard to River Avenue. The Mayor and Lyft also announced that Bronx cyclists have logged nearly 100,000 Citi Bike trips to and from over 100 newly installed docks since installation began this spring.

 

The 149^th Street corridor carries four bus routes (Bx2, Bx4, Bx17, and Bx19) that connect to ten subway lines across the Bronx and Manhattan, as well as major destinations such as Hostos Community College, Lincoln Medical Center, and The Hub. 149^th Street, where Transit-Signal Priority (TSP) and bus-lane enforcement cameras are now active, is the fourth bus-priority project completed since the Mayor announced the Better Buses Restart plan this June.

 

“The Bronx deserves faster and more reliable transit options. From faster buses to more bike infrastructure, we’re determined to use this crisis to deliver it,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “College students at Hostos, health care heroes at Lincoln, and New Yorkers who want access to everything the Bronx has to offer now have better and healthier ways to move around – and we’re excited to continue expanding transit options in the future.”

 

“These needed transit improvements will impact tens of thousands in the South Bronx and make it easier for New Yorkers to get to work or school while reducing congestion,” said Deputy Mayor Laura Anglin. “As we continue to recover from this terrible pandemic we will rebuild this city through some of the hard lessons we learned – and a key part of that includes expanding safe and reliable public transit options.”

 

“As New York City continues to emerge from the most difficult days of COVID-19, our commitment to giving New Yorkers a variety of safe and reliable transportation options remain. Buses and bikes have played a critical role in keeping us moving — both in communities hit hard from the pandemic and by essential front-line workers,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “Better bike and bus options are especially important on critical east-west arteries like 149^th Street. We thank our partners at Lyft and the MTA, and look forward to our continued work with them in getting these transformational changes implemented and expanded throughout the city.”

 

"We know that the key to effective bus service is well enforced bus priority," said Craig Cipriano, MTA Bus Company President and NYC Transit SVP for Buses. "Buses in the 149 Street corridor are among the slowest in the city, but that won't be the case anymore. Opening new bus lanes is one of the most exciting parts of my job and I commend DOT for being great partners as tens of thousands of Bronx riders are about to experience the power of bus priority."

 

“NYC Health + Hospitals celebrates the launch of the 149th Street Better Buses Restart bus lane project, which supports public health and significantly enhances transportation for our patients and employees," said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Dr. Mitchell Katz. "I want to thank Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg, MTA President Sarah Feinberg, and Lyft, for their commitment to a re-envisioned 149th Street."

 

149^th Street Bus Priority:

Priority bus improvements include the installation of red painted offset bus lanes, pedestrian islands, turn bays, and loading zones. Together, these tools work to relieve major issues such as congestion, slow bus speeds, double parking, and unsafe weaving and merging. Previous congestion on 149^th Street resulted in buses moving at walking speed or slower most of the day, about 4 mph, causing backups across the entire route, sending buses off schedule or causing them to arrive two or three at a time.

 

Transit Signal Priority (TSP) and Bus-Lane Cameras: 

Agency officials announced that Transit Signal Priority had been activated along the 149th Street corridor, further helping improve travel times: under TSP, communication between the buses and traffic signals holds green lights longer and shortens the time buses spend at red lights. DOT has worked with MTA to install this technology at over 1,350 intersections throughout the city, with the pace increasing in 2020: since the beginning of the year, over 460 intersections on 14 different corridors have received this treatment, exceeding DOT’s Better Buses goal of 300 intersections per year and 1,200 intersections by the end of 2020.

 

Bus lane enforcement cameras have been installed along 149^th Street. Starting today, drivers will receive bus-lane violation warnings for the next 60 days. Under a state law passed last year, bus-lane camera violations begin at $50 and can escalate to as high as $250 for the fifth violation in a one-year period.

 

Better Buses Restart:

DOT continues to deliver on the mayor’s record-setting Better Buses Restart plan, which aims to increase bus speeds and reliability along major corridors in all five boroughs. The agency has also continued implementing bus priority projects throughout the city, including Jay Street in Brooklyn, 14^th Street extension in Manhattan and Hylan Boulevard on Staten Island, totaling 9.1 miles to date, already nearly matching DOT’s 2019 total of 10.7 miles of bus lanes. 

 

Citi Bike in the Bronx:

In 2019, at Bronx Borough Hall, New York City announced Citi Bike’s expansion of its docks into all of Manhattan, deeper into Queens and Brooklyn, and into the Bronx for the first time. To date, the borough now has 110 stations, stretching from the South Bronx up to the Cross Bronx Expressway, and University Avenue to Southern Boulevard.  So far this year, cyclists have already logged nearly 100,000 trips to and from the Bronx.  DOT continues to work with Citi Bike’s parent company, Lyft, on the Phase 3 expansion expected to cover most of the borough within three years.

 

“The expansion of alternative transportation and increasing public transportation in all areas of The Bronx has been an essential focus during my tenure, including working to connect our borough to the Citi Bike network,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “The announcement of bike and bus improvements along 149th street is an important milestone for our borough as we make sure our residents have access to safe ways of getting around The Bronx, particularly healthcare workers who are on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis. I want to thank the New York City Department of Transportation and MTA for their partnership, as well as Lyft for continuing to invest in The Bronx. I look forward to working with elected officials and community members as this program forges ahead with Citi Bike’s expansion in The Bronx."