Q&A
Debate on equity and diversity in ferry landing locations
2:04:14
·
125 sec
Council Member Stevens and EDC representatives engage in a debate about equity and diversity in ferry landing locations. Stevens emphasizes the need for action and consideration of underserved areas like the West Bronx.
- EDC representatives express commitment to equity and diversity in ridership, but Stevens pushes for equity in landing locations.
- Stevens argues that diversity in ridership cannot be achieved without diversity in landing locations.
- EDC commits to considering diversity of locations in future system expansions, but Stevens calls for immediate action rather than future considerations.
Michelle Lamberti
2:04:14
Yeah.
2:04:15
And canceled member Steven's definitely hear your frustration.
2:04:18
And we at EDC, I never want I never want any New Yorker to think that the ferry is not an option for them.
2:04:23
Okay?
2:04:23
That's
Althea Stevens
2:04:23
not I district it is not.
Michelle Lamberti
2:04:25
And I understand that there's not a ferry landing there now, but I I would
Althea Stevens
2:04:28
There's not even a consideration for it.
Michelle Lamberti
2:04:30
I would say that we are really committed to equity and the and diversity of our ridership, and I know that we can do better.
Althea Stevens
2:04:36
I don't want diversity in in equity in ridership.
2:04:39
I want equity and diversity and where they are being located.
2:04:42
So there's a difference.
2:04:43
And so I want us to make sure that we're not playing word semantics and we're being clear about what we're saying because it's not about just having diversity of ridership.
2:04:50
It's about where you're putting them.
2:04:51
That will create the diversity that you're looking for.
2:04:54
So we have to to make sure that when we're thinking about where these studies are happening and what we're doing that we're being intentional about not leaving out communities like mine because the reality is there is no subway line being expanded in the hybrids.
2:05:06
It ain't happening.
2:05:07
There there's no other forms of transportation.
2:05:09
Maybe we can get another bus on maybe.
2:05:11
Right?
2:05:11
But the reality is this is a real thing that could help people in this community and thinking about what that looks like.
2:05:17
And I feel like this has to have a real look on it because you will never increase the diversity of your ridership if you're not increasing the diversity of where these ferry landings are.
Michelle Lamberti
2:05:27
And council member, I definitely hear you on also looking at the diversity of where ferry landings are.
2:05:31
We take that seriously.
2:05:34
If and when we would decide to do system expansion, I can assure you that that will be one of our top priorities and looking at where location where new landings are stood up.
2:05:45
And so I I hear you and I hear the needs of your constituents.
Althea Stevens
2:05:49
We we we we don't need we need to ask the action So definitely wanna continue to have this conversation of what this looks like because the whole number of a working group has been one of the groups have been pushing really hard for this for years about having access to their waterfront and the fact that we have Manhattan having seven LANDERS.
2:06:05
BROOKLAND HAVING OVER 6 LANDINGS AND IN THE BRONKS, WHERE ARE WE AT TWO?
2:06:11
WE HAVE TWO.
2:06:11
WE HAVE TWO.
2:06:11
AND THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE.
2:06:13
THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE.
2:06:14
THE PEOPLE OF THE BRONKS DESERVE BETTER.
Michelle Lamberti
2:06:16
AND WE'RE HAPPY TO CONNECT WITH YOU IN YOUR OFFICE AND CONTINUE have this conversation.
2:06:19
Absolutely.