Res. No. 198
Title
Resolution calling upon the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to add an additional member to the New York City Transit's Paratransit Advisory Committee (PAC) who would represent pregnant women and families.
Body
By Council Members Constantinides, Brannan, Holden, Koo, Ampry-Samuel, Rosenthal, Gjonaj, Cumbo, Grodenchik, Levine, Maisel, Richards, Rivera, Cohen and Ulrich
Whereas, Some pregnant women and families find it difficult to take public transportation in New York City; and
Whereas, When traveling on a New York City bus, strollers are required to be folded which can make it difficult for families to travel with young children; and
Whereas, The AutoGate is an automatic entry and exit to the subway, but it can only be opened by either a special Metrocard or a station attendant, however, some New York City subway stations do not have an attendant which means that the AutoGate cannot be opened for a family traveling with a stroller; and
Whereas, In addition to the factors that impact families, some women find it difficult to use New York City's public transportation system while pregnant; and
Whereas, Changes in a woman's body during pregnancy may affect a woman's stability and posture and pregnancy can cause dizziness, headaches, and backaches; and
Whereas, Many pregnant commuters find it difficult to obtain a seat on a bus or a train because sometimes people refuse to give them a seat; and
Whereas, In order to better accommodate pregnant women who take public transportation, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launched a pilot program from May through September of 2017, as part of their 'Courtesy Counts' campaign; and
Whereas, The MTA gave out free buttons that say, "baby on board" and "please offer me a seat" to help make it easier for pregnant women and people with disabilities to obtain a seat on public transit; and
Whereas, The campaign was meant to incent...
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