Res 0400-2024

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 proposed 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, In 2023, a multiyear, 8 billion dollar renovation of LaGuardia Airport was completed; and Whereas, This federally funded, massive expansion project did not add public transportation services to the airport, which includes ferry service; and Whereas, In 2023, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey released a study titled Options for Mass Transit Solutions to LGA, which included the numerous potential citywide and community benefits by adding ferry service to LaGuardia Airport, specifically the easing of traffic congestion; 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 operated by City Experiences 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 13 LS #1433 01/17/2024 WJH LS #1433 9/8/2024 Session 12 JB LS #1433 3/25/22 11:39 am 2