Staten Island occupies a transportation policy cross-roads within our region. It is part of New York City, but has been integrated into the metro area more by road than by rail. It is the fastest-growing (in population) county in NY State, and suffers from chronic, worsening traffic congestion. It also has a suburban self-identity that will render smart policies, like building the density needed to support more intensive mass transit, difficult to implement. We present a brief overview of a few of Staten Island’s current issues:

• Assemblymember Robert Straniere has introduced legislation to de-map the unbuilt Moses-era Richmond and Willowbrook Parkway rights of way in favor of parkland.  He’s backed by Greenbelt advocates, but opposed by community boards and the Staten Island Advance. Demapping foes say it would be an empty gesture, because the parkways will never be built regardless of the city map‘s status. However, a number of smaller projects can be undertaken using some of the land in question, including widening Rockland Avenue and Forest Hill Road, the "roundabout" alternative to the Richmondtown Loop and an extension of the SIE service road to Manor Road. Many Staten Islanders want something, anything, to be done about congestion and thus do not want these options foreclosed.

• In January, the NYC City Council transferred a 10 acre south shore site to the MTA for construction of a long-sought third S.I. bus depot.  The MTA says construction will begin this year. The depot will house 200 buses, reducing overcrowding and on-street bus idling at the other two sites.  The MTA has used depot capacity as a reason for not expanding south shore express service in the past. Local politicians want to see an expanded service plan, but have not seen a substantive response.

• Congressman Fossella is seeking federal funds for four new small ferries (400-500 passengers). Fossella will withdraw the request unless the city makes a firm pledge to run half-hourly nighttime service.  Meanwhile, a Wisconsin boatyard strike is delaying delivery of three new full-sized boats already on order (4,400 passengers, 30 cars). The first may now arrive in spring, 2004.

• The Port Authority, working with Borough President Molinaro, is conducting yet another study of whether the North Shore rail line is viable for passenger service. Fresh ideas for S.I.’s city-suburb hybrid condition, like bus rapid transit, would probably prove more fruitful. 

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