Our subways and buses handle more and more commuters and visitors each year, and keep our City economy moving. It is essential that the MTA continue to expand its vast transportation network, especially in fast-growing areas of the City such as DUMBO, Park Slope, Downtown Brooklyn, Greenpoint and Williamsburg. Areas like these should be targeted to receive funds first, and protected from cuts, so that we don’t cost working people time and money. The G train and L train need immediate attention as well, and it is imperative that each be given priority to increase capacity, decrease overcrowding, and to make those lines more reliable.

The subway station on Bedford Ave. and North 7 the L line which is congested and dirty, MTA promised to work on it but they need a shake up. The Manhattan, Brooklyn and Williamsburg Bridges.

Court Street Station M & R line

Hamilton Ave. Bridge repairs

work with City and State DOT to improve the servce.

Transportation Planning that incorporates holistic transportation planning which involves the MTA/ NYCDOT/ NYSDOT, other agencies and stakeholders, needs to happen. True progress will not be made until we are around the same table devising comprehensive transportation strategies. For example, reducing the number of cars and trucks traveling on our streets by implementing parking reforms, truck traffic management and equalizing tolling policies are areas that need to be addressed. The work being done by NYCDOT and NYCT on Bus Rapid Transit is a promising start.

The most important transportation need in the 33rd C.D. is to improve subway service on the G and F lines. I will address this need by discussing issues relative to these lines at press conferences, hearings, and through resolutions I will introduce proposing how service can be improved. I would like to sit on the Transportation Committee. Another critical issue is the establishment of residential parking permits so that neighborhood people can find parking more easily rather than spending lots of time searching for a space on the street.

Among the many pressing transportation issues in my district, one I would give special care to is the lack of incentives to bike. Currently there are not enough bike lanes or parking locations. These problems lead many people to view bicycling as both too dangerous, because they must merge with automobile traffic, and impractical, because they have nowhere safe from theft to put their bike. I would support legislation to require new buildings to provide indoor bicycle parking and to create fully staffed, municipal, 24-hour bicycle parking facilities of the sort seen in China and Europe. The more pleasant we make the bicycling experience, the more likely we are to see a rise in the number of people who choose to ride one. I also believe that there should be increased education for cyclists to help reduce the number of dangerous situations that arise between them and automobiles or pedestrians.

Mass transit is the most important need, specifically the frequency of the G-train and the lack of a transfer. I have requested that the MTA do a feasibility study for a possible transfer between the G and the 2-3-4-5 at Atlantic Avenue.

The most important transportation need within this district is reliable, safe mass transit. I will support initiatives which makes mass transit accessible to all of our residents.

I think we need more bus stops. I would work with the appropriate agencies to see to it that our senior citizens have bus stops closer to areas that affect them.

The residents of my district complain about the lack of parking spaces and the inability to quickly find parking spots. In fact, studies show that 40% of all drivers in one of our neighborhoods, Park Slope, are looking for parking spaces. I have proposed a plan for residential parking permits for ALL our neighborhoods, which will result in less traffic, more spaces available for residents, and less time hunting for parking spots.

Revenue generated from this plan will be invested back into our community by improving mass transportation, including a new FREE jitney service that will connect neighborhood residents with public transit stops and stations and ease congestion on our streets.

The most important need in the district is improved F train service. We need to begin with more frequent service at rush hour and off-peak times with a goal of implementing F express service after the Culver Viaduct repair work is completed, provided that we make it work for neighbors of the line. In addition the new linkages to the G on this line should be made permanent.

If elected, I would work closely with transit advocacy groups, community residents, and other elected officials to monitor F train service (including establishing benchmarks for improved service), provide frequent information on service changes caused by the Culver Viaduct repairs, and hold meetings and oversight hearings to pressure the MTA to develop a plan now for studying and moving toward F express service.