Brooklyn Stroller March: Advocating for Accessibility and Transit Funding
Parents and their children gathered in Brooklyn for a meaningful cause on September 14, 2024. Assembly Member and Brooklyn resident Jo Anne Simon led the way, speaking before the stroller march that started at the Hoyt and Schermerhorn Streets station and ended at Sixteen Sycamores Playground. The event aimed to address the pressing issue of congestion pricing in New York City and the impact it has on transit funding. With the support of organizations like Transportation Alternatives, Riders Alliance, Kids Over Cars, Climate Families NYC, and UP-STAND, families came together to advocate for accessibility and equity in public transportation.
Championing Accessibility Through Elevator Installations
One of the main concerns highlighted during the stroller march was the lack of accessibility in New York City subway stations. Elizabeth Adams, interim co-executive director of Transportation Alternatives, emphasized the importance of installing elevators in subway stations to make them more accessible for all New Yorkers. With less than a third of subway stations currently equipped with elevators, parents with strollers and individuals with disabilities face significant challenges when navigating the transit system.
The MTA’s Five-Year Capital Plan includes crucial upgrades for stations like the Hoyt-Schermerhorn Streets station in Downtown Brooklyn, which is in danger of losing funding for elevator installations due to the congestion pricing pause. These upgrades not only benefit individuals with disabilities but also make it easier for parents with strollers to access platforms and mezzanines safely. By un-pausing congestion pricing, the MTA can secure funding for elevator projects and improve accessibility across the subway system.
Advocating for Transit Funding and Equity
Ian Ntonto, a 10-year-old member of UPSTAND-NY, brought attention to the impact of inaccessible subway stations on children in New York City. With hundreds of thousands of kids under the age of five and around 2,000 school-aged children with physical disabilities relying on public transportation, the need for accessible subway stations is clear. Ntonto called for collective action to create a more inclusive and equitable city for all residents, regardless of age or ability.
Lauren Phillips, a co-founder of Kids Over Cars, highlighted the importance of Governor Kathy Hochul’s role in addressing the congestion pricing pause. By reinstating congestion pricing, Hochul can demonstrate her commitment to NYC families and their access to public transportation. Phillips, who is expecting, emphasized the need for every subway station to have an elevator, ensuring that families with young children can travel safely and efficiently throughout the city.
The stroller march in Brooklyn served as a powerful reminder of the importance of advocating for transit funding and accessibility. By coming together as a community, parents, children, and advocates voiced their concerns and called for action to improve the accessibility of New York City’s public transportation system. With ongoing efforts from organizations like Transportation Alternatives, Riders Alliance, and others, the push for equitable transit solutions continues to gain momentum.
