Good morning, I’m Lisa Daglian, Executive Director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, PCAC.
I was excited to be at Grand Central yesterday to see the changes being unveiled. As a daily 7 line user, it’s great to see that behemoth station more open and rider friendly. And as Grand Central Partnership head Fred Cerullo said, ‘access to everything is access to everything’ and that’s what we’re getting.
The Capital Plan Amendment you’ll be voting on today will add to that accessibility by bringing two additional subways stations into ADA compliance – for a total of 69. We’re looking forward to the day we see Mets-Willets Point on the list… maybe sooner than later?
The amendments also include Sandy Resiliency Work. It’s hard to believe today is the 13th anniversary of that fateful day. The ensuing years have shown us that we must not only continue to invest but also change the way we look at where the danger comes from and better harden against extreme weather threats from above and below.
The list of projects in the blue pages is very impressive, but even more so is the $600 million in savings you’re achieving. Congratulations on hard work well done. We’re looking forward to the launch of the upgraded Capital Program Dashboard that will allow us wonks to sort through it.
I’d like to also offer PCAC’s congratulations to our own Jack Connors who was recognized by NYPTA with their Joseph Boardman Award yesterday. He’ll be using that Metro-North to Albany to continue to advocate on behalf of the region’s riders, all of whom will benefit from the 20-24 amendments and the 2025-29 plan. Now how can we get Amtrak to move the needle on Penn Access and reduce the now three years of delays?
October, as we’ve heard, is National Disability Employment Awareness Month – and we’re thrilled that soon disabled riders will be able to use their discounts in the AM Peak on the railroads. It’s also Breast Cancer Awareness Month and my personal PSA is to get tested. It could save your life.