Res 0113-2022

Whereas, Millions of passengers use LaGuardia Airport each year, and LaGuardia Airport is among the busiest airports in the United States; and Whereas, LaGuardia Airport is not currently accessible through the Metropolitan Transportation Authority subway service; and Whereas, LaGuardia Airport is the only major airport under the purview of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey that is not accessible by train; and Whereas, Traffic congestion on the roads and highways leading to LaGuardia Airport is sometimes so severe that the Transportation Security Administration has advised passengers to allow themselves at least two hours in order to travel to the airport; and Whereas, LaGuardia Airport employs over 9,000 people, according to data collected by Baruch College, City University of New York; and Whereas, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has presented a proposal regarding a ferry route that connects Manhattan to LaGuardia Airport; Whereas, The Queens Borough Board has supported the addition of the Marine Air Terminal ferry terminal and expanded ferry service to LaGuardia Airport; and Whereas, Renovations of LaGuardia Airport are scheduled to be completed in 2022; and Whereas, The New York City Economic Development Corporation, in a 2013 study of citywide ferry service, projected that a ferry to LaGuardia Airport Marine Air Terminal could have a potential daily ridership of over 800 people; and Whereas, Expanded NYC Ferry service to LaGuardia Airport would provide an alternative, affordable mode of transportation for the tens of thousands of people who use LaGuardia Airport on a daily basis; and Whereas, Such expanded service would provide an alternative means of access that could help ease congestion on the roads near LaGuardia Airport; and Whereas, NYC Ferry service is provided by Hornblower Cruises & Events through a contract managed by the New York City Economic Development Corporation; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York City Economic Development Corporation to expand NYC Ferry service to LaGuardia Airport. Session 12 JB LS #1433 3/25/22 11:39 am Session 11 AW LS #7523 Int. #538-2018 2 2