NYCT Pres. Byford responded: The pressure is working! Keep it up!

Hi everyone,

Thanks for signing this petition. Your voices are being heard! Late Friday, I received a call from NYCT President Andy Byford. He said he is prepared to offer the buses and staffing but needs money. According to him, $450k would get us 8h of shuttle bus service daily during the repair period of the 181st St. (A) train elevator. $800k would get us 16h/day. After the call, I spoke with Council Member Rodriguez, and we agreed that the most likely place this money could be found is at the City level, so we are hard at work to find the money for shuttle buses during this and future elevator closures.

Additionally, I pressed Andy Byford for a much more robust work schedule on the elevator closure at 181st St. (A) because, as it was announced last Thursday night at Community Board 12's meeting on the subject, the current plan only calls for 7h of work a day. Instead, I asked for 12- or 14-hour shifts, and Byford agreed he would look into whether it was possible with the project's chief engineer.

Finally, I pushed hard for extra staffing at a temporary ticket booth at the 181st. St. and Ft. Washington Ave. entrance because of the increased demands that entrance will face upon closure of 184th St. and Ft. Washington Ave. I hope this ask will also set a precedent for the future station closures where staffing would become a concern.

*Please keep calling 511.* You should say "New York City Transit," and "Complaints and Concerns" to speak with a representative who will take your concerns about the closure of elevators without appropriate mitigation. Make sure you receive a complaint number and email confirmation. Forward that email confirmation to my office at shuttlebus@senatorjackson.com so we can hold the MTA accountable.

Also, please keep passing this petition around! We are at 2,000+ signatures so far (counting physical signatures) and need more to keep up the pressure.

In Unity,

RJ