Goldfeder Joins Transit Advocates and Local Residents at Assembly Hearing to Support Better Transit Options for Southern Queens and Rockaway

Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder

Overwhelming support from Citywide Transit Advocates, Queens and Manhattan residents in favor of Restoring the Rockaway Beach Rail Line

Rail could provide easier commute to Midtown Manhattan and one seat ride to JFK

Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Rockaway) joined transit advocates and local residents participating in the New York State Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions oversight hearing on the MTA's 2015-2019 Capital Program and evaluated the transit priorities for Queens’ families. The committee heard over 5 hours of testimony from the MTA, transit advocates and community leaders who all agreed that investment must be made in our Queens’ transportation infrastructure to ensure a safe and reliable transit system for the future.

 “I made it clear to the MTA that Transportation in key to our Sandy recovery and success,” said Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder. “In addition to improving the terrible service on the A train, the MTA must remove the toll on the Cross Bay Bridge for every Queens resident, increase bus service and restore the Rockaway Beach rail Line. In the immediate aftermath of Sandy, we experienced firsthand the detrimental impact that the lack of public transit has on our families--in order to plan for our future growth, we must invest in vital transit infrastructure now.”

Goldfeder applauded the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for recognizing the most efficient means of increasing transit options is to utilize the existing right of way and included the restoration of the Rockaway Beach Rail Line as part of their Twenty-Year Capital Needs Assessment Report. Citywide transit advocates and residents from throughout Queens and Manhattan also signaled their support for rail line restoration to provide quicker commute times from Queens, intra-borough connectivity, increased economic activity, a healthier environment and a one seat ride from Midtown Manhattan to JFK airport, Goldfeder noted.

While questioning MTA Chairman, Thomas Prendergast, Goldfeder implored the MTA to extend the residency rebate for the toll on the Cross Bay Bridge to include other neighboring Queens communities such as Ozone Park and Howard Beach or eliminate the toll completely for all Queens residents. Additionally, Goldfeder called for improvement of service on the deteriorating A subway line, and potential assistance with current ferry service.

"It’s so easy for the MTA to ignore small communities," said John Rozankowski, member of the Queens Public Transit Committee. "Northern Queens is bustling with economic activity, however, this growth cannot reach southern Queens because of Forest Park. There is only one possible channel: the Rockaway line. Reactivation would mean small businesses taking over abandoned and foreclosed homes providing local jobs and also, giving southern residents equal opportunity to compete for jobs in the north." 

“There is no debate, improving current subway lines, increasing service and investing in projects like the Rockaway Beach Rail Line will benefit every resident of New York City,” concluded Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder.  “No more excuses, every family should get the transit resources they deserve. In today's difficult economy, we need more affordable and reliable transportation that will allow our city to grow and prepare for the future.”