QUESTION
How can JFK workers be incentivized to use mass transit, and what are the plans to address traffic congestion?
0:59:13
·
4 min
Representatives from the NYC Economic Development Corporation acknowledge the issue of incentivizing JFK workers to use mass transit but cite limitations due to their roles.
- Mikelle Adgate indicates the NYCEDC's indirect involvement in traffic planning and fare adjustments at JFK.
- Jennifer Sun emphasizes the significance of the issue and previous experiences with poor transit access for JFK workers.
- Both express a willingness to discuss solutions with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and Port Authority.
- Council Member Avilés emphasizes the importance of addressing mass transit affordability and accessibility to combat climate change.
Alexa Avilés
0:59:13
And one thing that occurs to us is, you know, workers are incentivized to drive to JFK.
0:59:21
They receive free parking.
0:59:24
They're not incentivized to by by receiving reduced fare on the air train or the subway.
0:59:30
In fact, they have to pay for the subway and the air train, which is quite significant, especially since we know a good majority of the work are a low wage worker.
0:59:41
So that is a huge burden.
0:59:42
So I guess one of the things we would like to know is really press the importance of receiving some sort of incentive, incentivizing the workers at JFK to take mass transit to take a reduced fair air train, to flip that incentivizing to from driving to using mass transit.
1:00:09
So that's the first request.
1:00:11
We'd like to hear what those plans are in particular.
1:00:16
And then I think this would also address the serious traffic congestion that we see, particularly in JFK.
1:00:28
So this is this is a serious issue in terms of traffic pollution, workers support among other things.
1:00:41
Additionally, How has the EDC and or the port authority envisioned, expanded bus service?
1:00:51
Into JFK and has it explored a select bus service?
1:00:59
Lanes that could be routed into JFK as well.
Mikelle Adgate
1:01:04
Yeah.
1:01:04
Thank you for the question council member.
1:01:06
And I think given the various assets in in your district.
1:01:11
You also understand the complexity of the relationship between the city, the Port Authority, and EDC as a lease administrator.
1:01:21
So as part of that role and, you know, Jennifer has talked about this in regards to the the airport board.
1:01:30
We do not have any sort of direct relation direct role when it comes to traffic planning in and around JFK.
1:01:41
That said, as you know, we have a lot of interest in supporting public transportation, improving traffic networks.
1:01:50
And so always happy to connect with the MTA and the Port Authority on ways to improve that without necessarily having a specific role in that as it relates to the lease administration.
Jennifer Sun
1:02:08
Yeah.
1:02:09
I will just add, I wanted to thank you for raising this issue.
1:02:12
This concern.
1:02:12
I had proximity to the Sorry.
1:02:15
Thank you for raising this issue.
1:02:17
I think it is a serious one.
1:02:19
I'll share that had proximity to this issue when I had previously worked for a nonprofit where we had a workforce program in flushing queens.
1:02:27
And a lot of the immigrant workers were actually trying to retain jobs at JFK Airport, but struggled to do so because of the poor transit access.
1:02:36
And so I understand that it's a real issue.
1:02:39
And, you know, happy to pursue that conversation with the MTA and the port authority.
Alexa Avilés
1:02:45
No.
1:02:45
Thank you.
1:02:45
We'd love to hear there were fonts and really dive in and address the issue.
1:02:48
It's been long standing ever since I was a kid.
1:02:51
It this is we must do better, and we have to do that with urgency.
1:02:56
Particularly, if we are serious about climate, this is one clear way You can charge all you want and try to get people to convert who can't afford those cars.
1:03:06
We can do better mass transit and certainly the air train is utterly expensive.
1:03:11
And a huge problem also.
1:03:14
Thank you.