Good afternoon, my name is Christopher D. Greif and I’m a member of the New York City Transit Riders Council, Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, Long Island Rail Road ADA Taskforce, and ACTA. As a representative for riders, I’m here today to speak in support of Congestion Pricing which will help improve our transit system.
People with disabilities need better accessibility around our transit system. Currently, many subway stations are not accessible. Even the stations with elevators and escalators often have issues, and may not be accessible when elevators or escalators are out of service or broken. Disabled riders, the elderly, and people with luggage or strollers need accessibility so they can use the subway without going to different stations to complete their trips.
Congestion Pricing will help bring our transit towards an accessible future. The funding brought in by Congestion Pricing will directly fund accessibility improvements like elevators and escalators in stations so that all riders can access almost all stations. There are already plans to make more stations accessible, but we need funding so the projects can be completed. Stations like Mets-Willets Point that often have major events with thousands of people, desperately need to become accessible—congestion pricing will make it happen. It will also help build elevators and other improvements on the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North.
Buses are the more accessible way to get around, but they are currently slow. Congestion Pricing will speed up buses by reducing traffic. Buses will no longer be stuck behind slow cars, which will improve commutes for disabled riders. Access-A-Ride will also be improved by Congestion Pricing because trips will be faster with less traffic and congestion.
We know that people with disabilities and emergency vehicles will be exempt from paying the toll. People who still need to drive will benefit from faster trips and less traffic, and everybody will benefit from better air quality.
Accessibility is very important for riders around the region. Congestion Pricing will bring us closer to a transit system that works for everyone, including people with disabilities and the elderly. Our whole city will be better when transit is more reliable, equitable, and accessible, and Congestion Pricing will give the MTA the money it needs for that to happen. Thank you.