[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6645811,"mediaKeyId","3550053-867fe4179a9dc53ec48be1bdbed80a17","parentId",3550053,"title","MTA officials brief Community Board 2 on Access‑A‑Ride changes; committee agrees to draft follow-up resolution","audioSeconds",6228,"startMs",132000,"endMs",6360000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3550053-867fe4179a9dc53ec48be1bdbed80a17&start=132&end=6360","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3550053-867fe4179a9dc53ec48be1bdbed80a17/thumbnail_132000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6645811/Manhattan-City/New-York-County/New-York/MTA-officials-brief-Community-Board-2-on-AccessARide-changes-committee-agrees-to-draft-follow-up-resolution","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6645811-e4b53c1804b1c0b1de1371c1c79bcab7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111168&Signature=Qj7Q0FieA-oI1tOPYAZIExx1QTc~iilHSMt96H4v8~Vmmi5bEdqbceDQQYgZFF-jiy2-tCspiwZge4E-kVyv0-5ZRMMJZ2YErde4qZLVCurCUzoazN3vZJbsX3fHjNZ0qGXkEewzjcfvda4nQU5zAaMYs7vIFbVBzMxPHts9oRP3G3xDGkAWwZEKCuv5rqjatyPjNAXEuWKkfg2H6rq74soxOCE3XjQmkOpdP6VpgKDlCI04jLPZiBW9QMVFaGokTXfkOwBsHQ2gr5tE91vX5BE~2a~D8z883ZSfWyiDE1UPi6JcUCPk8MfG6AB0SnA4SrhIXl5x8-BKrmS4RVxW~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Manhattan, NY","date","2025-05-28T15:29:43Z","article","Community Board 2’s Traffic and Transportation Committee heard an overview of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s Access‑A‑Ride program on the evening of the committee meeting, and members agreed to draft a resolution asking the MTA for follow‑up on operational and outreach improvements prior to full‑board consideration on June 18.

The presentation from MTA staff drew on program rules and recent performance figures and was followed by extended remarks from users and disability advocates about everyday challenges with paratransit. Tammy Francis, manager in the Access‑A‑Ride outreach unit, said Access‑A‑Ride operates across the five boroughs and up to three‑quarter miles into parts of Westchester and Nassau, is a shared origin‑to‑destination service that runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and that reservations must be made one to two days in advance during the call center window. Francis said applicants undergo an in‑person eligibility assessment at one of six centers (two in Brooklyn, one in Manhattan, one in Staten Island, one in Queens and one in the Bronx) and that recertification typically occurs every five years.

Why it matters: Access‑A‑Ride provides mobility for New Yorkers who cannot use standard subway or bus service, and committee members said operational problems can limit employment and social participation for riders.

Key program details presented
- Eligibility and recertification: Francis said applicants generally must attend an in‑person assessment; full‑eligibility documentation is reviewed and most continuing eligibilities require documentation every five years.
- Vehicles and capacity limits: Francis said contracted providers include lift‑ and ramp‑equipped vans, SUVs and taxis; she stated vehicles cannot accommodate wheelchairs or scooters wider than 33 inches, longer than 51 inches, or that weigh more than 800 pounds when occupied. She also described new Ford E350 vehicles with improved tie‑down hardware.
- Fares and Omni transition: Francis said the program is transitioning from the MetroCard to the MTA Omni card, introduced December 2024. The Access‑A‑Ride Omni ID combines photo ID and fare/payment capabilities; Francis said cardholders who qualify for a personal care attendant (PCA) designation will have a PCA ride free and that additional companions pay the normal fare. The presentation described 0‑fare taps for eligible customers on subways and local buses (four per day) and that Omni funds can be loaded online or at retail locations.
- Reservations and day‑of operations: Francis told the committee that customers should call prompt #3 or use the app on the day of travel to obtain trip status, and that on‑line booking, an app and IVR/text alerts are available to track vehicles.
- Performance numbers presented by the MTA: Francis said Access‑A‑Ride met or exceeded internal KPIs for 2024, listing growth in total trips and ridership (figures given in the presentation), a primary 30‑minute pickup on‑time performance above 96% (surpassing a 94% target), a 20‑minute pickup performance of 92%, an 85% trip completion rate by vendors, and less than 3% no‑shows by providers.

Users and advocates pressed for changes
Members heard from disability advocates and long‑time users who described both the value of Access‑A‑Ride and practical shortcomings. Michael (last name on file), identified as vice president of Disabled in Action of Greater New York and chair of the MTA Accessible Transit Advisory Committee, told the committee the service enables daily life and employment but highlighted gaps including taxi‑reimbursement delays (users pay upfront and often wait months for a refund), limitations of the on‑demand pilot and the effects of shared rides on trip length.

Michael said the on‑demand pilot — which he described as starting around 2017–2018 in phased launches — provides vouchers for point‑to‑point trips through private app‑based services for a subset of customers and that many users who want the pilot cannot get access while some participants chosen early did not use it. He urged the MTA to expand the pilot or otherwise provide more flexibility for riders with work schedules. Michael also described taxi‑reimbursement as useful but slow, saying reimbursement can take “about three months.”

Writer and Access‑A‑Ride user Claudia Mallea read excerpts from an essay about paratransit as a social experience and described tactics riders sometimes use to travel with friends or to preserve scheduling flexibility; she urged recognition that riders use the service for work, social life and everyday activities beyond medical trips.

Committee discussion and next steps
Committee members suggested issues to include in a draft resolution: shortening customer wait windows and improving pickup completion rates; speeding and digitizing taxi‑reimbursement payments; linking the IVR/text alerting and mobile app systems; updating the scheduling engine the MTA uses to match and route shared rides; improving outreach and education so eligible New Yorkers know how to apply; and evaluating whether the on‑demand pilot should be expanded beyond its current enrollment.

The committee did not record a formal vote on the resolution during the meeting; members indicated they would draft a resolution to take to the full board at the June 18 meeting.

Quotations (selected)
- Tammy Francis, Access‑A‑Ride outreach manager: “We operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year … reservations must be made one to two days in advance.”
- Michael, Disabled in Action: “If anyone has ever had a problem with Access‑A‑Ride, if you're lucky enough to talk to Tammy, she's either going to solve it or you're going to walk away feeling okay because it's a problem that can't be solved.”

What the committee requested and unanswered items
The committee requested more detail from MTA on the on‑demand pilot’s eligibility and cost structure, the timetable and plan for the scheduling‑engine update, and options to shorten reimbursement turnaround. MTA staff said scheduling‑engine updates are being pursued and that some technology improvements are planned; they said they would provide additional materials on request.

Ending note
Committee members said they would work with staff to draft a resolution reflecting operational fixes, outreach and continued attention to the diversity of riders’ needs. The final resolution and any MTA response will be considered by the full Community Board 2 on June 18.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Manhattan CB2 May 27, 2025 - Traffic & Transportation Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Community Board 2’s Traffic and Transportation Committee heard an MTA Access‑A‑Ride briefing and agreed to draft a resolution asking the agency for operational follow‑up on wait times, taxi reimbursement, technology integration and outreach.","taxTitle","Manhattan City, New York County, New York","taxId",3586,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6645806,"Port Authority seeks revocable consent for flood‑barrier anchors near Holland Tunnel; Community Board 2 reviews plan",1631,4685000,6316000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3550053-867fe4179a9dc53ec48be1bdbed80a17&start=4685&end=6316","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3550053-867fe4179a9dc53ec48be1bdbed80a17/thumbnail_4685000.jpg","/articles/6645806/Manhattan-City/New-York-County/New-York/Port-Authority-seeks-revocable-consent-for-floodbarrier-anchors-near-Holland-Tunnel-Community-Board-2-reviews-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6645806-ce20fbf723d6215c3c8690e572ba6428/orig.mp4?Expires=1771111168&Signature=FGvhpXOJagjbqtpEdSaNr6mGn5u-l2X0e0kXboIRxlgfm6NBy4oFYscNNmlsVHiEEDe2~uTfYx7wugP2tWBgQpaQMhHNaQC19XW1AdsYxkIfFHz3ib1ciaqm6zTttF9RvgEVeKdo-tX3XQ~GpvMZT3R8fongPMCW7bk4qZUy2pjCc0mbPQyp8UimBQjTk5hXTZux0rRkXt38~QKdX1ARTUOstg9zfMchjBp2TdYT6IyfOF4VSklcN9qsuCNCTN87ICZuHZ0KMyXr3S8Yctbxm1IroebFgrlW7FmqsNEC~isgzPas6qeKfYf6N6IJfRuIbj9VJ0dpbKMfBMGlcYkhJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey briefed Community Board 2’s Traffic and Transportation Committee on a revocable consent application to install recessed anchor sleeves in roadway and sidewalk pavement that would receive removable AquaFence flood‑barrier panels at locations near the Holland Tunnel.

What was proposed: Chris Lee and Ricky Ramirez of the Port Authority described anchor sleeves already installed near the Broome Street entrance to the Holland Tunnel and a pending revocable consent application with the New York City Department of Transportation to install additional anchors along the southern sidewalk of Canal Street between Hudson Street and Barrack Street (adjacent to the tunnel approach). Ramirez said the sleeves are installed flush with the sidewalk and roadway surface, capped to avoid trip hazards, and are intended to receive removable panels only when the Port Authority deploys the AquaFence system in advance of high‑water events.

Why it matters: The removable barriers are a storm‑surge mitigation component of a broader Holland Tunnel Superstorm Sandy repair and resiliency program. Port Authority staff said the barriers are designed to protect tunnel portals from surge events; crews will transport and install pre‑fabricated panels stored in crates and expect the phased deployment to begin roughly 72 hours ahead of a forecasted surge, with final portal closures dependent on intergovernmental decisions and forecasts.

Construction and schedule details provided
- Scope: The committee was shown drawings of the Canal Street southern sidewalk segment (Hudson to Barrack) that remains pending DOT revocable consent; Port Authority representatives said roughly 95% of the anchors across both New Jersey and New York sides of the facility are already installed.
- Installation depth and method: Representatives described drilling holes approximately 12 inches deep, installing sleeves, grouting and capping flush to the existing surface; work on the Canal Street section was estimated to take approximately five to seven nights of overnight work and require a right‑lane eastbound closure on Canal Street during those overnights with a pedestrian detour in place.
- Barrier height and design standard: Port Authority staff said the panels are designed to a flood standard they identified as the 500‑year flood level (presentation slide); committee members asked for the exact numeric elevation and staff said they would provide the specification.
- Maintenance/inspection: Port Authority staff said the portal barriers require annual inspection and maintenance; the agency will plan nighttime closures for inspections once construction concludes and will communicate closures in advance.

Committee questions and follow‑up
Committee members asked how quickly barriers can be deployed once a severe‑weather forecast arrives; Port Authority staff said the standard deployment timeline begins about 72 hours before an anticipated surge and that full portal closures depend on timing and gubernatorial direction. Members asked about lifespan and durability of buried sleeves; Port Authority staff said sleeves have performed well in New Jersey installations and will be inspected annually and repaired or replaced as necessary. The Port Authority said the broader Holland Tunnel Sandy resiliency program cost about $364 million, with roughly 84% federal reimbursement; staff agreed to provide the committee a breakdown of the anchor‑installation cost and the numeric elevation used for the 500‑year design.

No formal board vote was taken on the revocable consent application at the committee meeting; Port Authority representatives said they are awaiting DOT action and that the application will proceed through the required municipal permit reviews and then to the Community Board full board as needed.

Quotations (selected)
- Ricky Ramirez, General Manager, Holland Tunnel (Port Authority): “The finished surface is flush — the anchor gets installed, it gets capped, and there's no trip hazards.”
- Port Authority presentation: “This AquaFence system is part of our Holland Tunnel Sandy repair and resiliency project…designed to protect the Holland Tunnel from a storm surge like we saw during Sandy.”

Ending note
Port Authority staff said they will provide the committee the requested numeric flood‑elevation standard, installation cost figures for the anchor sleeves and scheduling details; Community Board 2 will include its review in the record and the Port Authority will pursue the DOT revocable consent and municipal permits before proceeding with overnight installation work.","The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey presented a revocable consent application to install recessed anchor sleeves for removable AquaFence flood barriers on Canal Street (south sidewalk between Hudson and Barrack) and earlier work near Broome Street. The committee asked timing and construction questions and noted the application will be |","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

MTA officials brief Community Board 2 on Access‑A‑Ride changes; committee agrees to draft follow-up resolution

Port Authority seeks revocable consent for flood‑barrier anchors near Holland Tunnel; Community Board 2 reviews plan