Borough President James S. Oddo, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and Uber are pleased to announce the continuation of their joint effort to combat drunk driving. On Thanksgiving Eve, Staten Islanders can use the code “SAFERIDESI18” to claim two free rides (up to $15 each). The promotion will run from 8pm on Wednesday, November 21st to 5am on Thursday, November 22nd. Both rides must start and end in Staten Island. The rides are being sponsored by Uber.
 
Thanksgiving Eve, which has also been called “Blackout Wednesday,” is one of the busiest drinking nights of the year. It also represents the beginning of the holiday season when there is a known increase in instances of impaired driving. BP Oddo, DA McMahon, MADD, and Uber are urging people to seek safe transportation options as they get together and celebrate the holidays.
 
The free rides are part of the “SI Safe Ride” initiative, which launched last year. Nearly 3,000 Staten Islanders participated in the initial promotion, which allowed users to get free rides on Thanksgiving Eve in an effort to combat drunk driving. Subsequent promotions took place on days when drunk driving incidences typically spike, including during the Staten Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
 
“After our successes with this program throughout the past year, I’m pleased to be able to continue this initiative,” said BP Oddo. “If you plan on drinking this Thanksgiving Eve, please enjoy the night responsibly and leave your car at home. Thank you to DA McMahon, MADD, and Uber for helping us give Staten Islanders a safe transportation option on Thanksgiving Eve.”
 
“Far too often on Staten Island people make the irresponsible and possibly deadly choice to drive after a night of drinking; I see it because we prosecute them every day. After the unmitigated success of last year’s SI Safe Ride initiative where thousands of Staten Islanders made the smart choice and left the keys at home on Thanksgiving Eve, Super Bowl Sunday, and Staten Island St. Patrick’s Day, Borough President Oddo and I are thrilled to once again offer this initiative to Staten Islanders. We encourage everyone heading out this Thanksgiving Eve to take advantage of this promotion, enjoy a great night responsibly, and avoid meeting one of my prosecutors after a night in jail,” said DA McMahon.
 
“We are proud to support the Borough President’s efforts to raise awareness about the risk of driving under the influence and to help ensure Staten Island residents have a reliable ride home while out celebrating,” said Brian Hughes, General Manager, Uber NY. “As the Holiday season approaches, the need for more safe transportation options is more pronounced than ever, and Uber always strives to arm people with more options when hitting the road.”
 
“The holiday season is a special time for joy and togetherness, but it’s also the one of the most dangerous times of the year on the road because of the increased frequency of drunk driving,” said Richard Mallow, Executive Director of MADD NY. “We applaud the Borough President, District Attorney and Uber for raising awareness about DUIs and for providing a safe, reliable ride for Staten Island residents."
 
In 2003, Oddo and McMahon, then City Council Members, sponsored “Operation Arrive Alive,” a similar, though low-tech initiative that relied on bartenders to call a cab for patrons who requested one.  The 2018 version is different in that it allows patrons themselves to summon an Uber in the way they are accustomed to.  
 
Each trip has a maximum value of $15. If a ride costs more than $15, riders will receive that much as a credit and will be responsible for the remaining money due.    
 
Uber has been proven to help reduce drunk driving across America. For example, DUI arrests in Seattle decreased by more than 10% after Uber started serving riders and drivers in the city, according to a recent study.  A recent independent study conducted by Temple University found cities where Uber operates have 3.6%-5.6% fewer drunk driving deaths than cities without access to ridesharing.

A report by Uber and MADD concludes that when empowered with more transportation options like Uber, people are making responsible choices that result in fewer alcohol-related crashes. 

​On Thursday, November 1st, BP Oddo hosted a Staten Island Ferry Town Hall at Curtis High School. The event gave commuters the opportunity to voice their concerns about Ferry service directly to City agencies.
 
Topics discussed included better coordination with connecting bus and SIR service, aggressive panhandling, and construction in and around the terminals.
 
“I’m pleased to see commuters participating in a forum like this to improve this vital service,” said BP Oddo. “We will work to get you answers on these questions.”
 
Agencies in attendance included the Department of Transportation, the Department of Social Services, the Parks Department, the Department of Consumer Affairs, NYPD, and the MTA.

Borough President James S. Oddo will host a Staten Island Ferry Town Hall on Thursday, November 1st at 6:30 PM. This event will take place in the Curtis High School Auditorium.

The Town Hall will give Staten Island commuters an opportunity to voice their concerns regarding the Ferry itself as well as both the St. George and Whitehall terminals. Representatives from various city agencies, including the Department of Transportation, the Department of Consumer Affairs, and the NYPD, will respond to commuters’ comments.

“We at Borough Hall know how vital the Ferry is to our community, so I am happy to be hosting this Staten Island Ferry Town Hall,” said BP Oddo. “Please come out to let us know your concerns with service, issues in and around the two terminals, and all things Staten Island Ferry.”

“The Staten Island Ferry carries over 70,000 daily riders, and is a vital transportation link between lower Manhattan and Staten Island,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “We look forward to working with Borough President Oddo and our sister agencies to hear from riders.”
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The event is open to the public.

On Thursday, July 26th, Borough President Oddo joined with DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg and DOT Borough Commissioner Tom Cocola as part of “City Hall in Your Borough” to announce the new configuration plan at the intersection of Clove Road and Howard Avenue. This short-term solution will eliminate the left turn lanes from Clove Road to both Tioga Street and Howard Avenue and re-align the intersection to create two through lanes in order to help traffic flow more easily and safely through this intersection.

After conducting a comprehensive survey of circulation at the Clove and Howard intersection, DOT determined this solution would be the best to temporarily ease the traffic problems. This is a short-term interim solution, which will be followed by a long-term capital project with a permanent solution.

“This is an issue I have been working with DOT to find a solution for since 2014, so I’m pleased to see these changes implemented,” said BP Oddo. “Eliminating the left turn lanes to create extra through lanes will help traffic flow more easily and safely through this intersection. This is a tangible step to offer Staten Islanders some relief, but we know there is more to do. With Lorraine Grillo now heading up the New York City Department of Design and Construction, I am confident, along with Commissioner Trottenberg and the leadership of Wagner College, we can begin genuine discussions on a capital project that would provide even more assistance to motorists and pedestrians using this corridor. Thank you to the Administration for heeding our call on this and working with us to improve these conditions.”

“City Hall in Your Borough brings government to the grassroots, so we can see problems firsthand and fix them. That’s exactly what we’re doing at this corner,” said Mayor de Blasio. “Working with Borough President Oddo, we’re going to begin construction this fall to make this intersection safer and less congested. We’ll continue working across Staten Island to reach Vision Zero.”
 
“We were happy to work with the Borough President to make really solid fixes to this intersection,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “We know that left turns are far more dangerous than right turns, and so changes that can eliminate those turns, keep traffic moving and not inconvenience a very large number of drivers are a win-win for everybody.”

The lane changes will be implemented beginning the week of July 30th.

BP Oddo, District Attorney Mike McMahon, and the technology company Uber are pleased to announce a continuation of their partnership that began on Thanksgiving Eve to combat drunk driving. After two successful trial runs, the initiative will continue this Sunday to allow those attending the Staten Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade to arrive home safely after the event.
 
Between the hours of 10am-6pm on Sunday, March 4th, Staten Island residents can open up their Uber apps and enter the promo code “SISPD2018” to unlock one free ride (up to $15). The ride must start and end in Staten Island. Codes will work on a first come, first served basis as the number of free rides available through this promotion will be limited.
 
The Carl V. Bini Fund, the Forest Avenue BID, the South Shore BID, and the Richmond County Bar Association have generously signed on as main sponsors of this initiative. 
 
The free rides are part of the “SI Safe Ride” initiative, which launched last year. Nearly 3,000 Staten Islanders participated in the initial promotion, which allowed users to get free rides on Thanksgiving Eve in an effort to combat drunk driving. Free rides were also offered after the big game on February 4th, of which hundreds of football fans took advantage.
 
“SI Safe Ride” was created through a partnership between Borough President James Oddo, the technology company Uber, District Attorney Mike McMahon, the NYPD, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).
 
“Drinking and driving could turn a fun day at the parade into a tragic one,” said BP Oddo. “If your plans to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this Sunday at the parade include drinking, please leave your car at home. I encourage all Staten Islanders to enjoy the day safely and responsibly by taking advantage of this program. Thank you to our sponsors, DA McMahon, and Uber for helping us continue to give Staten Islanders a safe ride home.”
 
District Attorney McMahon said: “Staten Island St. Patrick’s Day is a proud day for those of Irish heritage to celebrate our shared history and our contributions to America and a chance for all Staten Islanders to come together and celebrate their Irish side with friends, family and loved ones. I am so pleased to continue our successful partnership with Borough President Oddo and Uber to provide a safe mode of travel for Staten Islanders reveling in the day’s festivities. Remember, there is no excuse to drink and drive.”  
 
“There is never an excuse to get behind the wheel after drinking, and Uber is proud to be part of this ongoing, collaborative Safe Rides Initiative,” said Danielle Filson, Uber Spokesperson. “As friends and family celebrate St. Paddy's Day in Staten Island, we urge them to make responsible decisions and take advantage of this promotion.”
 
Uber has been proven to help reduce drunk driving across America. For example, DUI arrests in Seattle decreased by more than 10% after Uber started serving riders and drivers in the city, according to a recent study.  A recent independent study conducted by Temple University found cities where Uber operates have 3.6%-5.6% fewer drunk driving deaths than cities without access to ridesharing.

A report by Uber and MADD released last January concludes that when empowered with more transportation options like Uber, people are making responsible choices that result in fewer alcohol-related crashes.
In 2003, Oddo and McMahon, then City Council Members, sponsored “Operation Arrive Alive,” a similar, though low-tech initiative that relied on bartenders to call a cab for patrons who requested one.  “SI Safe Ride” is different in that it allowed patrons themselves to summon an Uber in the way they are accustomed to.  
 
Initiative sponsors, the Forest Avenue BID and the South Shore BID, include the following nightlife establishments: Curly Wolf Saloon, Play, Joyce’s Tavern, Campania, Talk of The Town, Flanagan’s Tavern, Marmar Restaurant, Jody's Club Forest, Liberty Tavern, Ho Brah A Taco Joint, Cafe Milano, Kettle Black, Kings Arms Diner, 3 Guys Sushi, Panini Grill, Burrito Bar & Restaurant, Duffy's, Bruno's Li Greci's Staaten, Casa Franco.

On Sunday, January 28th, BP Oddo hosted his annual Direct Connect Sunday at the Petrides School. Visitors were able to address BP Oddo and his staff directly with their quality-of-life issues, as well as check out detailed displays about plans and initiatives rolled out during 2017, including our agenda for 2018. Some of the topics covered include overdevelopment, infrastructure, transportation, education, and health and wellness.

We welcomed over 250 people at the event. Forty city agencies, cultural organizations, and local groups were in attendance to talk about their services and answer questions.

“When I took office in 2014, we threw the doors of Borough Hall open to welcome the public in,” said BP Oddo. “We continue to build on that concept by bringing our annual open house to new locations and inviting groups from the community to talk about their work. This event gave Staten Islanders a chance to come and learn more about what we’ve worked on during our first term and see our plans for the future, as well as get help with their concerns and become a little more involved in their community. Thank you to all the organizations who participated and all who attended.”

If you were not able to attend the event, click here to see our informational boards, which contain an overview of the initiatives we are tackling now. 

On Wednesday, September 27th, BP Oddo joined with Council Member Joe Borelli to test ride a fast ferry route from the Tottenville Marina to lower Manhattan. Developers from South Shore building projects have proposed the route, which runs about 45 minutes each way. The ferry service would shave time off of South Shore residents’ commutes, which often run two hours each way.

The developers have been talks with Seastreak, which runs ferries from New Jersey to Manhattan and did the test run. The route looped around the bottom of the borough, coming up the East Shore under the Verrazano Bridge, bypassing heavy vehicle traffic. It docked in Pier 11 in Lower Manhattan.

BP Oddo, who has been an advocate for fast ferry service, noted that he is open to private sector service since Staten Island has been left out of the City’s NYC Ferry service.
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"We have to take advantage of being an island, and one of those things is waterboard transportation," he said. "If the City of New York continues to neglect us, we have to go to the private sector to see if we could work out some arrangement that is good for the people of Staten Island. It really is unconscionable that the borough with the least amount of transit options is the last one on line. I have no indication that there is a plan coming down the road. It really impossible for me to believe that this could play out with any other borough.”
 
Check out a video from the ferry ride below:

​On Monday, June 5th, BP Oddo joined with City Council Member Steven Matteo and Danny Cassella, President of ATU Local 726, to announce the next phase of improving the express bus system.
 
After conducting the Comprehensive Bus Study, which included studying routes and surveying riders, the MTA recently announced a plan to change routes to improve commute times. Currently, the average express bus makes 27 stops before ever leaving Staten Island. The study also found that 83 percent of riders use the busiest 50 percent of stops and that underused stops slow trips and complicate routes. The MTA’s plan includes rerouting some buses, eliminating underutilized stops and making more direct routes for more efficient commutes.
 
BP Oddo encouraged Staten Islanders to give their feedback, both online and at in-person forums, to ensure that their voices are heard.
 
“The current system is antiquated and inefficient,” noted BP Oddo. “We’re big believers in the overarching principles the MTA came out with. This is the best chance we’ve had in a generation or two to improve this service, and we want to make the most of it. We need Staten Islanders to participate in the process. Your input is critical.”
 
For more information, visit MTA.info/siexpressbus