Roxanne Delgado opposes City Island ferry as inequitable
A resident says the ferry subsidy is high, City Island's median income is over $100,000, and density is low; a previous study found only 225 commuters; she suggests Orchard Beach instead.
Thank you.
There was one final testimony, Roxanne Delgado, and I think that is the last person to testify.
In person, then we have some online testimony.
We'll be moving.
On Zoom to Catherine Sebeck next, but first Roxanne.
Thank you, committee.
I'd like to say that my name is Roxanne Delgado.
I'm a resident council district 13, which includes City Island in the Bronx.
I do not support intro 1032.
I question whether socializing City Island Ferry is financially responsible or fair.
In 2025, New York City Ferry required over
required over $8 operating subsidies for every ride.
A controller report found that earlier calculation of its significant costs did not include depreciation, and now the fares has recently increased from yesterday to $5.
A rider survey conducted by NYCED states that the median household income that it serves is over 100,000, which is similar to City Island's median household income.
And this population is extremely low density and is the furthest distance from which it requires more subsidies.
And who will pay for it?
The riders or the taxpayers?
A previous feasibility study identified only 225 city islanders will commute to Manhattan.
This raises serious concerns about if demand meets this pet project.
If the city council decides to do another study, why not Orchard Beach?
The city invests over $114 million to
recreate the pavilion.
The Orchard Beach is the only public beach in the Bronx.
And last year only generated a million dollars for the city funds.
Most of it was from parking fees, barely 200,000 concession fees.
Based on the large capital investment in Orchard Beach, why not have the ferry at Orchard Beach to help the economic development in that pavilion that cost us over $100 million?
Not to mention this year, per vendor, they did not do fare well in this year's pavilion, but it is the first year, but let's hope it could help.
Increase Orchard Beach and the parks revenue, the city general funds money.
And I would like to say though that we have to think about equity because before we invest in, well, it's about equity, that's what I'm here for.
I think subsidizing a pet project for a group that's politically connected, as you can see, that has high income at the cost of the rest of the Bronx is not fair.
I thank you for your time.
Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony.