A weekly roundup of good deeds, missteps, heroic feats and epic failures in the tri-state region and beyond.
WINNERS
U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer (OR) and Vern Buchanan (FL) — Reps. Blumenauer and Buchanan introduced legislation to clarify the term “bikeshare” as transit to facilitate bikeshare systems’ access to federal funding.
Q70 riders — The MTA plans to boost service on the route, which runs between Woodside, Queens and LaGuardia Airport, and will implement Select Bus Service on the route by the end of 2016.
Fordham Plaza transit riders — Last week, the Federal Transit Administration revealed the newly reconstructed Fordham Plaza transit hub. Thanks to a $10 million TIGER grant, Bronx residents now have better access to 12 bus routes and the Fordham Metro-North station.
New Britain, CT — The city received a $200,000 state grant to study transit-oriented development near the CTfastrak station on East Main Street.
Bogotá, Colombia — Enrique Peñalosa, who during his first term implemented a widely-used BRT system, more than 200 miles of protected bike lanes and transport demand management policies that improved congestion and air quality, is once again the mayor of Bogotá.
LOSERS
New York State Senator Joseph Addabbo, New York State Assemblyman Michael Miller and New York City Councilmember Eric Ulrich — Senator Addabbo, Assemblyman Miller and Councilmember Ulrich (a former SBS supporter) signed a petition opposing Woodhaven SBS.
New York City Department of Transportation — “In order to let cars get onto the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway more easily,” NYC DOT announced plans to remove the Jay Street bike lane and convert the street into a two-way.
New York City pedestrians, bicyclists and bus riders — The roadways have been plowed, but many New York City crosswalks, bike lanes and bus stops remain uncleared.
