Greetings, I am Lisa Daglian, Executive Director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC).
We are thrilled that Rich Davey has been named as permanent transit President and are eager to meet him. We’re excited to work with him for faster, more reliable, and equitable transit, and on new funding options. We also thank Craig Cipriano for his tireless work and true dedication as Interim Transit President. He was the right person at the right time to get riders where they needed to go during a very difficult period. We’re not quite done with you Craig – we are excited to continue working with you as Chief Operating Officer. Congratulations on your new role and thank you on behalf of the New York City Transit Riders Council, and all riders.
As we embark on this new path forward, we’re particularly excited about the reintroduction of the Queens Bus Redesign. After a two-year hiatus, transit was able to really sit with rider concerns and recommendations to revamp the plan. We hope it includes improvements like truly dedicated bus lanes and increased transit-signal priority to speed travel, and improved connections to subway and commuter rail stations to create a more integrated system. And with the planned IBX, transit options will be drastically improved for Brooklyn and Queens riders, helping complete the vision.
In order to get riders back onboard and feeling safe, we are glad that there is improved cooperation between the city, state, and MTA. We’re hopeful the SOS Teams and Subway Safety Plan will produce real results for riders and those in need. We also hope to see results and data on defining success as the city and state iron out the details and formulate a strong plan to address the host of issues plaguing our city and transit system that riders know too well.
We will continue to work with you on these issues and many more to help our system bounce back from the pandemic and provide transit riders with the service they need and deserve. Thank you!