ONE DAY AFTER THE STATUE OF LIBERTY CROWN REOPENS, ALEX ZABLOCKI CALLS FOR THE STATEN ISLAND CAR FERRIES TO RUN ONCE AGAIN

The car ferries, stopped after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, would help Staten Islander’s traveling by car between the two boroughs

Staten Island – Alex Zablocki, Republican candidate for Public Advocate and Staten Island resident, called on the Department of Transportation to allow cars back on the Staten Island Ferry.

 On July 4, 2009, the crown of the Statue of Liberty was reopened for the first time since the terrorist attacks on New York in 2001.  The Department of Transportation ended car ferries after the September 11^th terrorist attacks due to security concerns.  Zablocki is calling to bring them back.

 “It shouldn’t take two hours to get to Manhattan by car from Staten Island.  Many Staten Islander’s have no other option but to use their cars to get to Manhattan, because of the lack of mass transit or the infrequent bus and train service, especially during off-peak hours.  If the crown of the Statue of Liberty can be reopened for the first time in eight years, cars should be allowed back on the Staten Island ferry.”, Alex Zablocki said.

To quell security concerns, Zablocki has suggested the DOT implement a permit and sticker program in order to use the car ferry.  Zablocki suggests the permit should be open to New York City residents only and would enable the DOT to track who is using the service. A numbered sticker would show the car is registered in the program.  Zablocki also suggests that the fare be pegged to the cost of the Battery Tunnel to help subsidize security costs. Zablocki also suggests cars have a minimum of three people during peak hours.

Bringing back the car ferries would help reduce traffic on the Staten Island Expressway, Verrazano Bridge, Gowanus and other roads leading into Manhattan. It would also help small businesses in both boroughs access Manhattan and Staten Island faster, saving valuable time and money.

“Staten Island needs more options to travel within our city. My goal is to improve public transportation throughout Staten Island, but as we all know, our mass transit problems will not be fixed overnight.  The car ferries will make life a little less stressful and cut down on travel time and can be implemented in a safe way for commuters and drivers.”, Alex Zablocki said.

Alex Zablocki has started a website to gather petitions in support of the car ferries; he is also seeking ideas and thoughts on the issue. The website is www.bringbackthecarferry.info. Alex will forward these petitions to the Department of Transportation and if elected New York City’s next Public Advocate, will work with the DOT and the Mayor’s office to bring back the car ferry.

Alex Zablocki has been unanimously endorsed by all five Republican county organizations in New York City and is the youngest candidate to ever run for Public Advocate.  Alex has over six year’s experience working in city and state government as well as being a small business owner since 2001. Alex is a lifelong New Yorker and currently resides in the borough of Staten Island where he has owned a home in the Tottenville section for the past three years.

More information about Alex Zablocki and his candidacy for Public Advocate can be found at www.alex2009.com or by calling his campaign at 718-734-1093.

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