PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Linda Baran, President of Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, on NYC Ferry System Expansion
2:22:39
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129 sec
Linda Baran, President of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, testified about the need for expanding the NYC Ferry System to better serve Staten Island. She emphasized the borough's limited transportation options and long commute times, calling for connections to Brooklyn and other parts of the city.
- Highlighted Staten Island's lack of subway access and reliance on cars and express buses
- Proposed expanding ferry service to connect Staten Island with Brooklyn to promote business growth and reduce bridge congestion
- Stressed the importance of equitable transit solutions, especially with the implementation of congestion pricing
Linda Baran
2:22:39
Says, good morning, but good afternoon.
2:22:42
I'm Linda Baron.
2:22:42
I'm the president of Staten Island Chamber of Commerce.
2:22:45
We have about 14,000 businesses that represent on Staten Island, one of the largest business organizations there.
2:22:52
New York City's Ferry System and the need for its expansion is a significant topic for our borrowers future.
2:22:59
Staten Island has long struggled with limited exportation options to some of the longest commute to the nation.
2:23:05
Our residents primarily use their cars.
2:23:07
They take express buses.
2:23:08
We're not connected to the subway system, so we don't have access to the subway.
2:23:12
And we do have a fast ferry.
2:23:14
We were we actually were admitted initially, and then in 2020, 1 in the summer.
2:23:19
They put a fast ferry right next to the Staten Island ferry in Staten Island.
2:23:23
I'm here today really calling for, you know, expansion of the service because we have no connection.
2:23:30
If you look at our if you go up to the map, you'll look at it goes to the west side of Manhattan.
2:23:34
So it goes to Battery Park City, and it goes to Midtown West Side.
2:23:38
But when you look at the other side of the map, that's where all of the other routes exist.
2:23:41
So we have no connection, and we'd like to see those dots connected.
2:23:44
Primarily, we'd like to see connection to Brooklyn.
2:23:47
We we share a lot of commerce with Brooklyn.
2:23:51
You know, my myself and Randy Piyush, who is the president of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, really see an opportunity for growth for businesses on both so slides of each barrel.
2:24:01
One of the other things is is that most people that are traveling are taking the Verizon and Irish bridges.
2:24:06
It's typically backed up in the morning, and so it's a go on.
2:24:09
So this would relieve some of that congestion.
2:24:11
We talk about congestion pricing.
2:24:12
This would be a great opportunity to do that.
2:24:14
I know it's not in the plan.
2:24:15
I know that Staten Island was looked at a number of years ago when Gimi Auto was our our president and the EDC toured it, but we would like for them to revisit this specifically for Staten Island.
2:24:26
Again, with, you know, the implementation congestion pricing looming.
2:24:29
It's more important now in the ability to have equitable transit solutions.
2:24:32
And as I said, I can't reiterate enough.
2:24:34
Most people don't understand what we deal with on Staten Island.
2:24:38
It takes a really long time to get different places.
2:24:40
And, you know, when you have to travel to Queens, getting your car in the morning takes 2 a half hours to get there.
2:24:46
It's really frustrating.
2:24:47
So thank you for your time.
