Transportation

Service to both Queens airports with a "One Seat" ride from Manhattan to JFK International Airport and LaGuardia Airport.
The Aviation industry is one of the largest employers in Queens, generating $30 billion in annual economic activity and 270,000 jobs, and its continued viability is essential to the economic future of the borough. Although the "Air Train" (a light-rail line from JFK International Airport to Jamaica station) will greatly enhance customer convenience to one airport, we must now extend effective passenger rail access to LaGuardia Airport also in order to maintain both facilities as premier transportation hubs. Only a direct "one-seat ride" from Manhattan to both facilities will keep both airports competitive with other gateway airports in the region.

Until "one seat" rail access to LaGuardia is obtained, there should be an express bus operating from the 74th Street, Roosevelt Avenue transit hub in Jackson Heights to LaGuardia Airport.

Concerns raised by the various communities impacted by proposed plans to provide "one seat" access should be addressed in a fair and equitable manner.

Queens West Transit Hub
Moving workers to newly developing commercial areas in Queens is essential to the expansion of affordable business districts outside of Manhattan. New and expanding businesses will not be forced to leave the area due to a shortage of affordable commercial office space in Manhattan.

Create a Regional Transit Hub in Sunnyside Yards
The MTA's plans to build a new LIRR station in Sunnyside, as part of its East Side Access project to connect the LIRR to Grand Central Terminal, should be expanded to create a regional transit hub in Sunnyside Yards, near Long Island City, that would be accessible to the LIRR, Metro-North, New Jersey Transit and Amtrak.

Expand the Number 7 Subway Line
It is critical to future commuter use of the Number 7 subway line that it be extended beyond the expanded Jacob Javits Center at West 34th Street and 11th Avenue in Manhattan, to include a connecting loop to Penn Station, at West 34th Street and 7th Avenue in order to maximize utilization and encourage affordable commercial development in Queens.

Oppose Congestion Pricing and the Placement of Bridge and Tunnel Tolls on East River Crossings Currently Without Tolls and Advocate for Minimal and Fair Increases on Crossings with Tolls
Oppose the imposition of bridge and tunnel tolls, congestion pricing, user fees and high occupancy requirements for all vehicles in the City of New York. Studies have shown that tolls on East River crossings would reduce traffic in Manhattan by approximately 25% and that congestion pricing would cause 40,680 fewer people to come into Manhattan's central business district. The City loses $1.5 billion in economic activity, millions of dollars in taxes and 15,000 jobs annually for every 20,000 fewer cars coming into Manhattan every day due to tolls and a study commissioned by the Chamber proves that congestion pricing would result in an additional annual loss of $2.7 billion in economic output, 23,100 jobs and $235 million in city and state tax revenues. Adding tolls on East River crossings would cost the average commuter, earning less than $50,000 annually, an additional $2,000 per year. Congestion pricing, would cost Queens residents and businesses, which account for 40% of all New Yorkers who drive into Manhattan, an additional $300-$350 million annually. Such new tolls, congestion pricing, and restrictions should be opposed in order to promote economic development in both Queens and Manhattan.

Government Grants to Expand Transportation Routes
Support and actively advocate for government grants to study, improve and expand transportation routes and facilities for intra-borough travel within Queens and inter-borough connections between Queens and other boroughs.

Support and actively advocate for government grants to expand mass transit, bus and other transportation routes and facilities serving the "Ancillary Business Centers" proposed in Long Island City, Flushing, Jamaica, and in other areas of Queens; and grants to study and develop expanded bus routes and other transportation alternatives to the rail and subway routes in down town Manhattan.

Study "Off Peak" Fare Discounts
Support and actively advocate for federal grants to explore the feasibility of "off peak" fare discounts for public transportation.

Tax Reduction for Rail Transportation Properties
Support and actively advocate property tax reduction for rail transportation properties upon the condition that rail companies with unused or underutilized tracks and facilities in Queens invest in renovating existing Queens properties and enhancing freight and passenger services including greater safety, expanded access, and higher speed. Support establishment of a transition aid program to give local governments $70 million over 10 years to offset lost railroad revenues. Railroad property taxes in New York cost up to 26 times those in neighboring states, draining high-paying railroad jobs from the state and imposing higher transportation costs on manufacturers and other shippers.

Roadway Projects to Assist Cargo/ Trucking Industry to JFK and LaGuardia Airports
Support and actively advocate roadway projects that assist the cargo/trucking industry, which is of critical importance to the growth of that segment of the aviation business, at JFK and LaGuardia Airports. Investments in transportation assets have economic benefits throughout New York by making it easier to move goods and people and by creating jobs in construction, manufacturing, trucking and related industries. The federal Highway Administration calculates that more than 42,000 jobs are created for every $1 billion spent in construction spending.