Showing posts with label McManus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label McManus. 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

Sunday, June 21, 2015

The Queens Public Transit Committee (QPTC) is presenting a movement and petition AGAINST the application of SBS (Select Bus Service) on Woodhaven Blvd

             MEDIA ADVISORY:
                The Queens Public Transit Committee (QPTC) 
           is presenting a movement and petition 
      AGAINST the application of SBS (Select Bus Service) on Woodhaven Blvd

           DATE: June 21, 2015

        CONTACT: QPTC Chairman Philip McManus at: PhilAMcManus@gmail.com
                                or by phone at: 718-679-5309

The QPTC will be at the Bayswater meeting on Monday and will be available for comment at that time. The Bayswater Civic Association invited the QPTC to present a public presentation on our group and our ideas including QueensRail, ferry, subway, bus and roadway service on Monday, June 22, 2015 at 8:00 pm


Another presentation will be given on Tuesday, June 30, 7:30 pm at the:
Howard Beach /Lindenwood Civic Association at St. Helen's School basement
157 Avenue and 83 Street in Howard Beach. 

Visitors to our site are encouraged to print the petition, sign, scan and email it to

QPTC Chairman Philip McManus who is available for comment and interviews by the media at:

or by phone at: (718) 679-5309

Please RSVP in advance with Philip McManus.

__________________________________________________

We, the users of Woodhaven and Cross Bay Boulevards, oppose the introduction of Select Bus Service (SBS), sometimes called Bus Rapid Transit, for the following reasons:
·            SBS was pre-determined by the city and the Department of Transportation as the solution to traffic and transportation problems. Funds were allocated for SBS prior to the first Community Meeting where it was presented merely as an "alternative." There has been no meaningful community participation!

·            Meetings and workshops were then held in which only the positive aspects of the plan were presented. One had to closely inspect the diagrams at the workshops to ascertain some of the negatives. Others were never disclosed.

SBS is Bad for Drivers:

·            On the northern portion of Woodhaven, two of the eight thru lanes will become local lanes only, separated by new islands, which will narrow the lanes making it difficult to pass large trucks and buses.

·            Two lanes will become bus lanes at all times. Right and left turn lanes will be eliminated slowing traffic.

·            This means that at major intersections such as Metropolitan Avenue, Myrtle Avenue, Jamaica Avenue, and Rockaway Boulevard, 10 travel lanes will be reduced to 4 lanes for cars and trucks at all times.  That's a 60 percent reduction in the capacity for traffic to enter and go through major intersections.

·            23 left turn movements on Woodhaven will be banned, in addition to the 60 that are already banned. You will be able to turn left about once every mile and probably not until the third turning cycle.

·            All left turn lanes on Cross Bay will be eliminated, forcing you to change lanes to go straight, slowing traffic.

·            Bus stops will be lengthened eliminating many parking spaces.

·           At Metropolitan Avenue all left turn traffic will be redirected to the narrow residential Trotting Course Lane, which will be become a two-way street and will have to accommodate large trucks.

·            Emergency response times will increase since emergency vehicles will get stuck behind buses picking up passengers at bus stops. They will have to cross to clogged lanes of traffic before being able to jump the divider into the opposing traffic lane. New trees will prevent them from easily crossing into the service roads.

·            The new lower speed limit of 30 mph has already gone into effect on Woodhaven. It will increase travel times and expenses since speed cameras will issue large fines. Police officers with radar guns will be able to issue summonses to vehicles traveling at just 32 or 35 mph. The speed limit on the bridges may also be reduced. 

·            Travel times will double with heavy traffic at all times instead of only during rush hours while bus lanes will be largely unused.  Your average speed will be reduced to 10 or 15 mph.


SBS is Bad for Bus Passengers:

·            Promises of faster passenger travel are a myth. During the off-peak hours when there are few buses on the road and traffic currently moves rather quickly, bus travel times will increase. There isn’t a shred of evidence that travel times will be improved by 35% as alleged.

·            A lower speed limit will mean buses will have to travel more slowly which will increase operating costs.

·            Longer buses will mean fewer buses since service levels are based on crowding levels.

·            Local Bus Service will be reduced as riders shift to Select Bus Service (SBS).

·            It will be impossible for express and SBS buses to pass local buses at most bus stops during the rush hour.

·            Fewer bus stops in Broad Channel and the Rockaways will result in longer walks to bus stops and will overcrowd beaches near remaining bus stops. Boardwalk businesses near Beach 105 Street will be harmed.

·            Current SBS routes exhibit major problems that the MTA is keeping secret, such as broken fare machines that are not repaired in a month's time and passengers receiving fines in excess of $100 although the bus driver tells them they can board the bus. Pavement markings are not maintained and wear out after only one year.

·            Ridership is down on in the past year on most SBS routes or fewer riders are paying their fare.


How Deception is Being Used to Promote SBS:

·            None of the questions or requests for data from the public has been answered.

·            One had to attend all four workshops to learn where all 23 left turning movements will be banned. DOT has not kept its promise to list on their website the locations where turns will be banned. Neither is there a list available of which bus stops will be removed.

·            The width of Woodhaven Boulevard was exaggerated to falsely give the impression that lanes can be removed without any negative impacts.

·            All publicity for the meetings was geared to bus riders, keeping drivers in the dark regarding proposed plans.

·            Two new bus stops will be added in Ozone Park and the Q52 will be extended to Far Rockaway. Both changes will increase ridership and can be accomplished now without waiting for SBS. However, by delaying these changes, the increased ridership will be attributed to SBS making it appear to be a success.

Why You Should Sign This Petition


·           The same powerful groups who support QueensWay (to rob us of repurposing the abandoned Rockaway Line also known as QueensRail) support SBS. It is a cunning plan to take away our time, freedom, and prosperity.

·            QueensRail would greatly speed travel times as well as spur economic development. Yet it wasn't even included in the study of the Woodhaven Corridor.

·            Faster bus and car travel times have been promised by reducing road capacity for cars and trucks and lowering speed limits. There has not been a shred of proof how this will be accomplished. Where is the data from the traffic and transit forecasting models? Why isn’t it being shared?  We have not been dealt with honestly.

·            The project cost increased from a $20 million initial cost to $231 million plus ongoing costs of at least $2 million per year. No one has explained how the additional monies will be spent or how spending ten times as much will increase the benefit tenfold. This is your tax money, not “free” federal money.

·            SBS costs more to operate than traditional Local and Limited Service, primarily because of the high cost to guard against fare evasion, yet provides limited benefits and many disadvantages such as longer walks to bus stops. The B44 SBS has been such a failure that no first year assessment has been made public due to the fear of jeopardizing planned new routes. Paid ridership is down by 8% in the first year of operation.

·            Queens Rail has been dismissed as too expensive when it could be built for not much more than what Queensway and Bus Rapid Transit would cost together. Contrary to claims, Queens Rail (the restoration of rail service to the Rockaway Beach Line) has NOT been extensively studied, openly, and fairly in comparison to the SBS: not like SBS/BRT, light rail, and subway in the Second Avenue Subway study. In short, Queens Rail has gotten the short shrift. What's fair and good for Manhattan should be fair and good for Queens.


I am signing this petition because we deserve to have Queens united through better transportation, not divided by a plan that greatly hurts drivers and businesses, while providing minimum if any benefits to bus riders.

Signed: ________________________________________     Date: ___/___/2015

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

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.

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.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

QueensWay Meets Rockaway Line Rail Advocates

November 20, 2013 - The two opposites met but certainly didn't attract.

In one corner, the QueensWay 'park' advocates and organizers of the workshop, were joined by the transportation advocates known as the Queens Public Transit Committee in the other corner and they kind of duked it out. The 'prize' in the middle of the ring (so to speak) was the 3.5-mile abandoned rail line that was once operated by the Long Island Rail Road as the Rockaway Branch Line.

While the final disposition of the right of way is far from decided, an ally of the rail transportation advocates stepped up to the table and made an effort to level the playing field. New York State Assemblyman Philip Goldfeder came up with the $50 to $100,000 dollars out of his discretionary expense account to fund a study to be conducted by Queens College's Department of Urban Studies. The money to fund that study is less than the $500,000 in state funds from the New York State Trust for Public Land but should prove to be a useful competing opinion on how to better serve the transportation needs of southern Queens versus a bike path.

To their credit, the Friends of the Queensway welcomed to 'opposition' study but stated that if it had not happened in the last 50 years, rail might not happen and they're seizing the opportunity to get their way. They seek to mimic the Highline in Manhattan even though the economic and land use doesn't match the largely residential make-up of the area. Another issue not addressed by the park plan are security issues which has a huge negative attached to it.

There is a major dividing line in this fight - the park advocates want the entire 3.5-mile tract of land exclusively while the Queens Public Transit Committee is willing to share the former 4-track mainline so both sides can benefit.


Philip McManus, Chairman of the Queens Public Transit Committee and made the statement that:
"Reusing the former LIRR Queens Rockaway Beach Line (RBL) for transportation is the best plan. It will reunite north and south Queens and decrease travel times and increase investments for everyone especially the poor and middle class areas that are underserved, excluded and separated from the American dream. 

The QueensWay plan and the No Way plan are exclusive and divide our borough. It also prevents development and investments in Queens. We need jobs and businesses for all the people so we can grow and help each other. The QueensWay plan sounds good [on the surface] but it will only benefit a few people and a small area of Queens. It’s the small plan while the transportation plan is the big plan, the most inclusive plan.  

The reactivation of the RBL will expand the transit system, increase social and economic opportunities, increase property values and tax revenue. As a rail line, the RBL will increase transit options including faster travel times to work, home, school, shopping, recreation, dining, family visits, and doctor visits. 

The RBL will decrease pollution, accidents, unemployment, crime and government dependence, reduce present and future overcrowding and unreliable buses, trains and roadways at a much, much greater level than the QueensWay plan.  

Thank you also to New York State Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder and Queens College for organizing this affordable study."

Clearly, the battle lines are drawn and the fight is on. In this era of evolving 'green' transportation and lifestyle, the rail transportation plan offers greater economic benefits and an actual return on investment with a better quality of life. No matter which option is chosen, the right of way needs to be rebuilt, the rail advocates seem to have the upper hand when it comes to an all-around solution.

Below is Assemblyman Goldfeder's press release:



Assemblyman Goldfeder and Queens College Urban Studies Department to Launch Comprehensive Study of Abandoned Rockaway Beach Rail Line
 Faculty, students, and staff from the college Urban Studies Department will perform a comprehensive community impact study to help assess the best use for abandoned tracks
Flushing, Queens—Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Rockaway), joined by Professor Leonard Rodberg, Chair of the Queens College Department of Urban Studies, announced plans for a comprehensive study to assess the community impact of the proposed options for the abandoned tracks of the old Rockaway Beach Rail Line.
“The Queens College Department of Urban Studies’ Office of Community Studies is renowned for its community-based research. It is the perfect partner to help determine what is in the best interest of Queens and city residents,” said Assemblyman Goldfeder. “Now that the MTA has signaled an interest in reactivating the Rockaway Beach Rail Line as an efficient and cost-effective way to significantly increase public transit for Queens residents, it’s important we do appropriate studies to determine the next steps. While other groups are using tax dollars to hire expensive consultants and do one-sided studies, we’re utilizing local expert resources and educating our students while supporting an objective study that will enormously benefit all our hardworking Queens families.”
The project will be led by Professor Rodberg together with Dr. Scott Larson and other faculty and students from the college’s Department of Urban Studies. The collaborative effort will include assessments of community transportation patterns and needs as well as community attitudes about the impacts, costs, need for and feasibility of a range of proposed uses of the abandoned rail line. The study will take approximately nine months to prepare and is expected to be completed by the end of next summer.
 “Our Department is pleased to be cooperating with Assemblyman Goldfeder in assessing the options for this valuable, unused area of Queens. We believe our study will help everyone evaluate what is best for the people and communities of Queens,” said Professor Rodberg.”
Queens College of the City University of New York enjoys a national reputation for its liberal arts and sciences and pre-professional programs. With its graduate and undergraduate degrees, honors programs, and research and internship opportunities, the college helps its over 20,000 students realize their potential in countless ways, assisted by an accessible, award-winning faculty. Located on a beautiful, 80-acre campus in Flushing, the college is cited each year in the Princeton Review as one of the nation’s 100 “Best Value” colleges, thanks to its outstanding academics, generous financial aid packages, and relatively low costs. In 2013, Washington Monthly ranked QC #1 among “Master’s Universities” as a Best-Bang-for-the-Buck college and #2 nationwide among colleges that do the best job of helping non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices.
The Rockaway Beach Line, also known as the White Pot Junction Line, was created around the turn of the century and was owned and operated by the Long Island Rail Road. It provided residents with safe, affordable and expedient access to other parts of the city and 40 minute commutes to midtown Manhattan from Rockaway. In the early 60s, parts of the railroad service were condensed, sectioned off and eventually closed. In the following years, the property was vandalized, encroached upon and has become a source of embarrassment for the families that reside in the area.
Assemblyman Goldfeder has made transportation and the restoration of the Rockaway Beach Rail Line a top priority. In February of 2012, he called on Governor Cuomo to immediately restore the line to ease commutes for Queens residents. In May that year, Goldfeder launched a petition that garnered nearly 3,000 signatures that were later delivered to Governor Cuomo, the Port Authority, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in support of bringing the line back to life. Additionally, Assemblyman Goldfeder continues to work with Congressmen Gregory Meeks (NY-5) and Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8) to facilitate a portion of approved federal Sandy disaster aid be allocated to fund the restoration of the rail line and assist in recovery for residents.

"I believe that increasing public transportation is the right choice and I look forward to the results of the study and working with my colleges and the community to fund and implement next steps," concluded Goldfeder.