Showing posts with label Calisi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Calisi. Show all posts

Friday, September 18, 2015

Queens Public Transit Committee Media Hits Page

Below is a list of Queens Public Transit Committee 'Media Hits' from every single news outlet on the the certain transportation issues that we are focusing on to date, in chronological order, for the QPTC. Note: All of the articles are have to do with the QPTC and the people who are involved it:

NY1:
"Queens Transit Advocates Rally Against Select Bus Service" - September 14, 2015
http://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2015/09/14/queens-transit-advocates-rally-against-select-bus-service.html




Queens Chronicle:

Queens Courier:
"Transit advocates to rally in Elmhurst for improvements" - September 8, 2015
http://queenscourier.com/transit-advocates-to-rally-in-elmhurst-for-improvements/

"MTA plan includes restoring Rockaway Beach Rail Line" - October 7, 2013
http://queenscourier.com/mta-plan-includes-restoring-rockaway-beach-rail-line/

Queens Gazette:
"Letters to the Editor - Rockaway Rail Line" - April 1, 2015
http://www.qgazette.com/news/2015-04-01/Editorials/Letters_to_the_Editor.html

"Letters to the Editor - Mass Transit Betterment" - May 14, 2014
http://www.qgazette.com/news/2014-05-14/Editorials/Letters_to_the_Editor.html


"Letters to the Editor - Rockaway Beach Line" - February 26, 2014
http://www.qgazette.com/news/2014-02-26/Editorials/Letters_to_the_Editor.html

"Letters to the Editor - Improve Public Transit" - February 12, 2014
http://www.qgazette.com/news/2014-02-12/Editorials/Letters_to_the_Editor.html

"Letters to the Editor - A Cross-Borough Bus" - Fedruary 5, 2014
http://www.qgazette.com/news/2014-02-05/Editorials/Letters_to_the_Editor.html

"Rockaway Ferry Service to Remain Ferry Operational" - January 22, 2014
http://www.qgazette.com/news/2014-01-22/Features/Rockaway_Ferry_Service_To_Remain_Operational.html
"Letters to the Editor - No QueensWay" - January 15, 2014
http://www.qgazette.com/news/2014-01-15/Editorials/Letters_to_the_Editor.html

"Letters to the Editor - Rockaway Beach Line" - January 8, 2014
http://www.qgazette.com/news/2014-01-08/Editorials/Letters_to_the_Editor.html

"WRBA To Host Forum On The Rockaway Beach Branch Rail Line" - December 4, 2013
http://www.qgazette.com/news/2013-12-04/Features/WRBA_To_Host_Forum_On_The_Rockaway_Branch_Rail_Lin.html
"Letters to the Editor - Bus Service Folly" - May 22, 2013
http://www.qgazette.com/news/2013-05-22/Editorials/Letters_to_the_Editor.html

"Letters to the Editor - Organize Against MTA" - April 17, 2013
http://www.qgazette.com/news/2013-04-17/Editorials/Letters_to_the_Editor.html

"Letters to the Editor - A Vision For Rockaway" - March 6, 2013
http://www.qgazette.com/news/2013-03-06/Editorials/Letters_to_the_Editor.html

Queens Ledger:





"Queens Borough President discusses QueensWay feasibility" - January 22, 2014
http://www.queensledger.com/view/full_story/24431609/article-Queens-Borough-President-discusses-QueensWay-feasibility?



Queens Tribune:
"Who Can Help?" - May 23, 2013
http://queenstribune.com/who-can-help/

"MTA Junk" - May 16, 2013
http://queenstribune.com/mta-junk/

Ridgewood Times Newsweekly:
"Transit advocates to rally in Elmhurst for improvements" - September 10, 2015
http://www.timesnewsweekly.com/news/2015-09-10/Local_News/Transit_advocates_to_rally_in_Elmhurst_for_improve.html




"Letters to the Editor - Says MTA Bus Service Can't Handle Crowds" - April 11, 2013
http://www.timesnewsweekly.com/news/2013-04-11/Letters/Letters_To_The_Editor.html

Rockaway Times:
"The Queens Transit meeting report" - August 28, 2014
http://rockawaytimes.com/2014/08/28/queens-transit-meeting-report/

"Transit needs get heard" - August 14, 2014
http://rockawaytimes.com/2014/08/14/transit-needs-get-heard/

"Ferry grim news: City leaves boat at the dock" - July 3, 2014
http://rockawaytimes.com/2014/07/03/ferry-grim-news-city-leaves-boat-dock/

The Forum:
"Welding Concerns About Rockaway Rail Line Plans, Woodhaven Group  Demands Voices Be Heard" - December 5, 2015
http://theforumnewsgroup.com/2013/12/05/wielding-concerns-about-rockaway-rail-line-plans-woodhaven-group-demands-voices-be-heard/

"Majority of Boro Residents Back QueensWay, Poll Says" - October 28, 2013
http://theforumnewsgroup.com/2013/10/28/majority-of-boro-residents-back-queensway-poll-says/

"MTA Report Gives Hope to Residents Crossing Their Fingers for a New Rail Line" - October 11, 2013
http://theforumnewsgroup.com/2013/10/11/mta-report-gives-hope-to-residents-crossing-their-fingers-for-a-new-rail-line/

"Rally To Reactive Rockaway Rail Line" - August 29, 2013
http://theforumnewsgroup.com/2013/08/29/rallying-to-reactive-rockaway-rail-line/

"Study Launched To Transform Rockaway Rail Line Into Park" - August 22, 2013
http://theforumnewsgroup.com/2013/08/22/study-launched-to-transform-rockaway-rail-line-into-park/


The Wave:














"Q53 Is A Horror." - March 1, 2013



Times Ledger:
"Copper cable theft shuts down A train service to Rockaways" - May 27, 2015
http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2015/22/train_2015_05_29_q.html

"Queens transit has lost a friend" - September 22, 2014
http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2014/38/mcmanus_all_2014_09_19_q.html

"Rockaway calls on city to keep funding ferry" - July 3, 2014
http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2014/27/rockawayferry_tl_2014_07_03_q.html

"Mayor should consider Rockaway line reactivation" - March 4, 2014
http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2014/9/mcmanus_all_2014_02_28_q.html

"City extends Rockaway ferry" - January 23, 2014
http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2014/4/ferry_tl_2014_01_24_q.html

"Project for QueensWay steadily progresses" - December 20, 2013
http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2013/51/crawford_all_2013_12_20_q.html

"Study will examine rail line" - November 27, 2013
http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2013/48/railstudy_tl_2013_11_29_q.html

"Agency to consider Rockaway rail revival" - October 11, 2013
http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2013/41/rockrail_tl_2013_10_11_q.html

"Avella supports reactivation of old Rockaway train line" - August 10, 2013
"MTA needs to communicate better" - June 17, 2013
http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2013/24/mcmanus_all_2013_06_13_q.html

"MTA must improve Rockaway bus service" - June 12, 2013
http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2013/23/mcmanus_all_2013_06_06_q.html


"Reactivate Rockaway Beach Line for Good of Queens" - May 28, 2013
http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2013/21/mcmanus_all_2013_05_24_q.html
"MTA must improve Rockaway transit" - April 24, 2013
http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2013/16/mcmanus_all_2013_04_19_q.html
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Tuesday, February 10, 2015

TWU Joins Queens Coalition to Re-Activate 3.5 Miles of Rail, Delivering Subway Service to 500,000

Supporters of the Rockaway Branch line's restoration to rail service received the endorsement below by none other than the TWU - The Transport Workers Union Local 100. A big thank you to Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Rockaway Park) for helping fight the good fight!

TWU Local 100 President John Samuelsen spoke at a press conference organized by supporters of re-activating the Rockaway Beach Branch, a 3.5 mile stretch of abandoned railroad track that "would connect South and Northern Queens in a way that is not currently possible," according to Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Rockaway Park). Goldfeder and officials from Queens College released a study that concluded reactivating the line would generate about 500,000 subway rides per day. TWU Local 100 is strongly in favor of the idea, and we favor the use of MTA capital funds to reactivate the line.

"We view this as a once in a lifetime opportunity," Samuelsen said. "We have existing transit access that has fallen into disuse. In this instance, we have an opportunity to expand the subways and deliver transit service to 500,000 riders a day that is desperately needed. Because it is an existing asset, we have the opportunity to do it at a fraction of the cost of new construction." He also spoke of the big economic boost the line would bring to Queens. "We have an existing transit asset," he reiterated. "Why let it slip out of our hands? Why not put it back into use for 500,000 transit riders?"

On Thursday, February 12, 2015, TWU President John Samuelson reiterated his support for the restoration of rail service as an opinion in the Queens Chronicle saying that, "...the most meaningful, and often overlooked, difference between the 2 plans is the potential for increasing access to jobs. Reactivation of the Rockaway Beach Line, which was owned and operated by the Long Island rail Road until 1962, would be a far more economically advantageous to the 250,000 people residing within a half-mile of the existing right-of-way."

He later added in the op-ed piece that the fare revenues produced by passengers riding those rails would yield significant farebox recovery that would minimize the strain on NY State's finances but yield a return on investment - something the park plan could not due because ongoing maintenance issues would have to be generated with donations - something local residents are not financially equipped to handle because of their economic situation. Only the High Line in the Chelsea part of Manhattan could hope to achieve enough donations to keep it going.

One final note. Samuelson stated the recovery from Hurricane Sandy cost the MTA $75 million. Putting rail service back here would cost $800 million - a bargain considering what other transportation projects cost. Even NY State Controller DiNapoli wrote that the rails were a cost effective way of expanding the MTA's services.

Copy and paste these links:
http://www.twulocal100.org/story/twu-joins-queens-coalition-re-activate-35-miles-rail-delivering-subway-service-500000

http://www.qchron.com/editions/queenswide/public-transportation-is-right-choice-for-queens/article_8b9bca95-b4ac-561a-b701-35f1290841b6.html
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Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Stand up against the stealing of our time and prosperity. Enough is enough! Fight for the Queens Rockaway Beach Line and faster transportation!!!

Dear Friends,

This is very Important Rally!!!  Stand up against the stealing of our time and prosperity.  Enough is enough! 

Please try your best to go to this QueensWay event and tell your family and friends to fight for the Queens Rockaway Beach Line and faster transportation. The QueensWay group is trying to stop the best opportunity to reduce travel times, traffic, pollution and unemployment.

Do you want to travel 2 1/2 hours to cross over Queens by public transportation?

Now is the time to let the city know that there is a better alternative to Bus Rapid Transit on Woodhaven and that is to reuse the Rockaway Line so that precious road space is not reduced by 50% which is what will happen if bike lanes are included in this plan. 25% if they are not. Can cars afford to move any slower on Woodhaven during rush hours? Not everyone can take the bus which will operate along the same routes they do today. There are no alternate auto routes available in the area except for neighboring residential streets. Do we want the cars to use those streets for long distance travel? 

Please bring a poster supporting the rail option for the Queens Rockaway Beach Line, the transportation plan. 

Today, Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at 11:00 am at Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School 91-30 Metropolitan Avenue Forest Hills. 

Philip McManus 
Queens Public Transit Committee 
718-679-5309
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Monday, September 22, 2014

Queens Public Transit Committee Seeks Funding For Lower Manhattan-Rockaway Ferry



Lower Manhattan, Sept. 22, 2014 - A rally was held tonight as residents of southern Queens invaded  Lower Manhattan in an effort to remind people that if enough support isn’t generated to save the ferry from the Rockaways to Manhattan, the service will end, making the trip by subway or express bus a longer trip and much less enjoyable.

The mission statement of the Queens Public Transit Committee is to improve all transportation options for Queens and the Pier 11 in Manhattan to Rockaway Peninsula is no exception. With Mayor deBlasio eliminating funding for the ferry link, residents of southern Queens are furious and have taken to the streets. The Belle Harbor Property Owners Association is also involved as they seek to protect and enhance the quality of life in their community. The Ferry is the common thread that binds both organizations.

Queens Public Transit Committee Chairman Phillip McManus has been fighting for keeping the ferry going but it’s been an uphill fight. To get the attention of Lower Manhattan, he’s organized a walking rally to let people know about it. He said, “We’ll arrive on the ferry at about 5:15 pm at Pier 11 and hold a press conference under the FDR near Wall Street. We will collect names and contact information to organize the passengers.  We will also have speeches and a photo opportunity. We’re following up on a rally we had on the steps of City Hall a couple of months ago as part of a process to educate the public about the funding cutoff.”

The plan was to march through areas such as Water Street and Stone Street which is where many people congregate so they can get the word about the ferry service discontinuance.

Through their past efforts, they accumulated an array of political figures dedicated to keeping the ferry going. Among them is Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. She said in a letter to Mayor deBlasio that, “…The Rockaway Ferry is a necessity for the Rockaway Peninsula and vital to its resiliency plans. Since the inception of the Rockaway Ferry in 2012, residents have come to view it as a primary means of transportation into Manhattan.”

New York State Assemblyman Philip Goldfeder has been a long-time backer of improving transportation options in southern Queens as healthier transportation options means greater economic opportunity.

Support for the ferry isn’t limited to Queens but to Brooklyn as well. City Councilman Vincent Gentile recently said at the June 11 rally on the steps of City Hall, “Other areas in the country would kill for a waterfront like we have here in New York. I want to emphasize the stopover in Brooklyn on the way to the Rockaways. One ride on the ferry and you’re hooked as opposed to riding the subway. If people knew if they could get to Manhattan and back easily with a ferry, they’d use it.”
The walking rally headed south to the Staten Island Ferry, the Statue of Liberty Ferry and walk north on Broadway to Wall Street and loop back to the ferry to Queens while giving out posters, flyers and asking people to sign petitions. 

Before hopping on to the 7:45 pm ferry back to the Rockaways, Phil McManus showed optimism and said, “The Queens Public Transit Committee supports faster transportation including the Queens Rockaway Ferry.  We refuse to be second class citizens in a city where everyone else’s concerns seem to come first.”

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Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Passing of our friend and mentor, John Rozankowski

Dear Friends,  

It is with great shock and sadness that I must inform you that our Friend and Mentor John Rozankowski has died of natural causes.

God have Mercy on his Soul.

We're going to miss you, John. A tremendous loss.  Thank you for helping the Rockaways, Queens and New York City with your transportation advocacy.

John lived in the Bronx and would take the train to help us. He was a good man.

Our sincerest condolences to his family.
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Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Our Rally for Q 52 Bus Extension to Far Rockaway is on Saturday September 20, at Beach 67 Street and Rockaway Beach Boulevard at 11 am.

Queens Public Transit Committee Press Release

Release date: September 8, 2014

Media contacts: 
Philip McManus, Chairman
Queens Public Transit Committee

Location/Date: Saturday, September 20, 2014 at Beach 67 Street and Rockaway Beach Boulevard

Time: 11 AM.


We are gaining influence in Queens.Please cover this very important meeting as this is a great opportunity to show how we network and unite with other communities and groups. 
Our 'Rally for Q52 Bus Extension to Far Rockaway' is on Saturday, September 20, 2014 at Beach 67 Street and Rockaway Beach Boulevard at 11am. 

Our opinion is that 2 1/2 hours is way too long to get around Queens using mass transit.  It's a waste of time, money and destroys opportunities with unnecessary transfers and road delays. 

We advocate the extension of bus routes across Queens and the Q52 Limited Bus to Far Rockaway as a example of how we want to connect buses to more ferry service as faster transportation (all modes) which saves time and makes money. More money creates jobs and opportunities.
Currently, the Q 52 doesn't connect to the Ferry at this time but we need another Ferry stop in Far Rockaway that would connect with this bus. The Q22, Q35, Q53 and QM16, Q113 and the Q114 should all connect to the Ferry.

We are promoting several petitions and here's a list:


Feel free to contact me for further information with this information below.

Philip McManus, Chairman
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Friday, August 15, 2014

Next QPTC meeting is Wednesday, August 20, 2014 from 7:30 to 9 PM

Dear Friends,

Our next Queens Public Transit Committee meeting is on Wednesday, August 20 from 7:30 to 9 PM at the:
Knights of Columbus
333 Beach 90th Street
Rockaway Beach, Queens. 
We hope you can make it as we'll discuss more than one topic.

The fight for the ferry from Lower Manhattan to the Rockaways continues. Important steps have been taken since last month's meeting. There will be a press conference on the steps of City Hall the night after our meeting. There are more actions to complete. It's critical that we come together, discuss the progress that has been made and coordinate our efforts going forward. If you can, sign the petition on our social media too. 

 
Of course, there are other transportation concerns to address. We've recently joined the battle to extend the Q52 bus route to serve more Rockaway residents. New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli released a report describing the Rockaway Beach line as a good investment for the MTA. Momentum is shifting our way -- how can we capitalize, and where else should we focus our advocacy? Please join us Wednesday and help us make plans.

We've got work to do.

Mike Scala
Queens Public Transit Committee
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Friday, March 7, 2014

Queens Public Transit Committee Holds -Drive By Rally- To Drum Up Support For Rail Service To Be Restored To The Former LIRR Queens Rockaway Beach Line And Calling It The New Queens Crosstown Route

I am Philip McManus, Chairman of the Queens Public Transit Committee and I’m here to ask for your help to help make a growing economy a part of your mission for the region and to address a huge problem we have in central and southern Queens - a lack of viable transportation options that results in lower economic output for the region. Queens in general, is being strangulated by a lack of transportation options that hurts the entire city. Transportation is the circulatory system of the city that results in overall economic growth.

The solution to this issue is the re-institution of rail service on the former Long Island Railroad Rockaway Branch line with either subway or LIRR commuter service. The right of way already exists so land acquisition isn't really an issue.

The best example of how rail service benefits the area is when the subway opened in 1904. People realized they no longer had to live within walking distance of their jobs in Lower Manhattan and could travel from other points in the city. The economy grew by leaps and bounds and New York City grew to the metropolis it has become. 
 
We advocate making central and southern Queens an economic empowerment zone by making it a destination for people to live in and have the mobility to easily reach jobs in other parts of the region. Returning it to operation will make the area a juggernaut of economic activity as it could become a destination and not just another place on a map that's hard to get in and out of.

We're not advocating just rail service, but increased bus service as well.
 
Come join our 'Drive By Rally' at the intersection of Queens Boulevard and Woodhaven Boulevard on March 9 2014 at 2:30 pm. Bring your car and passengers that can carry placards to hold as we drive by.
 
Help make Queens and economic empowerment zone by joining our rally.
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Friday, October 11, 2013

LOOKING FOR A QUICKER AND EASIER TRIP INTO MANHATTAN?

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A QUICKER AND EASIER TRIP INTO MANHATTAN?
IF THAT’S WHAT YOU NEED TO IMPROVE YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE,
JOIN OUR QUEENS PUBLIC TRANSIT COMMITTEE!!!
 
The Queens Public Transit Committee is promoting the reactivation of the Rockaway Beach Line (RBL) in Queens as a mass transit option. This means restoring the former Long Island Rail Road right of way in a manner in which it was intended – a transportation mode that will offer a quick and safe trip into central Queens and Manhattan.
 
What restoring rail service to the line will do is to reduce long travel times, dangerous streets and overflowing traffic. Rail service has always resulted in increased economic activity which results in more jobs for everyone. Workers and students will be able to get to their destinations quicker while increasing their quality of life which can translate into more productivity overall. When the LIRR operated trains there, it took a maximum of forty minutes to enter Manhattan compared to at least 2 or 3 times that amount right now. This transportation crosstown corridor was lost to us in 1950 and 1962 when it was shortened, then eliminated.
 
Increased bus service is not the answer as they tend to get stuck in traffic which can result in an inconsistent spacing of buses and long wait lines to get on them.
 
JOIN OUR QUEENS PUBLIC TRANSIT COMMITTEE!
Unite with your fellow commuters and complain about being stuck in your car traffic or in an overcrowded bus.
Don't spectate...participate and do something about it.
The Queens Public Transit Committee is organizing a march and rally for better access to jobs, schools and the entire New York Metropolitan area through the reactivation of the Queens Rockaway Beach Line, subway or LIRR. 

Send this message to Governor Cuomo an e-mail to: press.office@exec.ny.gov
 
FIGHT FOR BETTER ACCESS TO JOBS AND SCHOOLS
WITH FASTER TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS BY
REOPENING THE QUEENS ROCKAWAY BEACH LINE
AS THE NEW QUEENS CROSSTOWN RAIL LINE!!!
 
The Queens RBL is only one to six blocks east, travels north/south and parallel to Woodhaven Boulevard, from Penn Station through Central Queens to South Queens.  
 
For more information, contact Queens Public Transit Committee by visiting this blog for information about fixing this vexing transportation problem: http://rockawaybranchline.blogspot.com/ 
 
Philip McManus, Chairman
Queens Public Transit Committee
 
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Location: Queens, NY, USA
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