PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Faran Sharif, Community Liaison from Office of New York State Senator James Sanders Jr.
3:12:30
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119 sec
Faran Sharif, representing New York State Senator James Sanders Jr., testified in favor of Resolution 59, urging the City Council to support the QueensLink project. He emphasized the need to address long commute times in Southeast Queens despite New York City having an extensive transit system.
- QueensLink is proposed as the first rail line connecting northern and southern Queens, potentially reducing commute times for Rockaways residents.
- The project aims to improve access between various Queens neighborhoods like Jackson Heights, Forest Hills, Flushing, Astoria, and Woodside.
- Sharif noted this was his first time testifying in person before the City Council.
Faran Sharif
3:12:30
Okay.
3:12:31
I'll okay.
3:12:32
I'll just go.
3:12:34
Good afternoon, council members.
3:12:36
My name is Faran Sharif, and I work as the community liaison for New York State Senator James Sanders Junior.
3:12:42
And I'm here today to testify in favor of resolution 59 on behalf of the office of state senator James Sanders junior.
3:12:50
Council members, New York City is blessed to have the largest and most extensive transit system in the entire country, which is managed by the MTA.
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It is the largest transit agency in the world which works around the clock to ensure that New Yorkers get to where they need to and ensures that our transit system is operating even at off peak times.
3:13:12
However, New York City happens to have the longest commute time in the country.
3:13:17
And within New York City, Southeast Queens is among those that has the longest commute time in the country.
3:13:24
Council members, it is time that we address this contradiction of having the most extensive transit system yet having the longest commute time in the country.
3:13:34
Our office believes that the QueensLink, which would serve as the first rail line in Queens connecting the northern and southern portions of Queens, is the real solution.
3:13:45
QueensLink has the potential to cut down on commute time for those living in the Rockaways traveling to Manhattan or other parts of Queens.
3:13:53
QueensLink has the potential to make it easier for residents of the Rockaways to access other parts of Queens, such as Jackson Heights, Forest Hills, Flushing, Astoria, Woodside, and etcetera.
3:14:05
The office of senator James Sanders junior is urging the city council to pass resolution 59 so we can put an end to the convenience of commuters from the Rockaways and other parts of Queens once and for all.
3:14:18
And before I do end, I just want to note by saying that this is my first time testifying in front of the city council in person.
3:14:24
So it's really an honor.
3:14:26
Thank you so much, and I look forward to speaking with all of you soon.
