Between 2000 and 2010, Staten Island grew faster than any borough in New York City. By 2030, the borough is projected to grow by 65,000 residents and 25,000 households.

Today, the West Shore suffers from an incomplete roadway network and a lack of transit services, required for new development and investment, must be addressed. Staten Islanders face the longest average commute in the nation - 43 minutes - often during multi-seat trips.

For the past decade, the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation has been working on the West Shore Light Rail project. Phase I and Phase II studies were conducted in 2004 and 2009, respectively.

With the enormous amount of development planned for the West Shore, the heavy traffic faced by commuters, residents, and business people every day along the expressway and the projected population increases for the borough, securing funding for the $5 million Phase III Alternatives Analysis has now become the highest priority for the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation (SIEDC).

The Alternatives Analysis will give us a definitive answer on the appropriate modes of transit, potential routes, and other crucial aspects of planning for the implementation of a light rail system.