May 17, 2021
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TRANSCRIPT: New York City Transit Interim President Sarah Feinberg Appears on FOX 5 Good Day New York |
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New York City Transit Interim President Sarah Feinberg appeared on FOX 5 Good Day New York with Rosanna Scotto and Lori Stokes to discuss the return to 24/7 subway service, the agency’s COVID safety measures, and how transit will continue to power the region’s post-pandemic recovery. A transcript of the interview appears below. Lori Stokes: Well New York can once again call itself the city that never sleeps. For the first time in more than a year, the subways are now running all day and all night. Wow, it's a bit of a problem. We don't know what's going to happen but it's happening. Right now, Sarah Feinberg, who is the Interim President of the Transit Authority is with us this morning. Nice to have you back on Good Day New York. Everybody's excited we're back to being the city that never sleeps, but is it safe? Sarah Feinberg: Good morning. Lori Stokes, Rosanna Scotto: Good morning. Rosanna Scotto: Okay, so let's, let's just talk about this. You know, the mayor says he's adding 500 more police officers. Over the weekend, I lost count how many slashings, biting, punching’s took place on the subway. Do you have an accounting of this? Stokes: Okay, so I'm going to do the numbers. On Friday, four in the morning. On Saturday, the good Samaritan bitten and choked. And then yesterday, a straphanger robbed at gunpoint and two others punched in the face. I keep hearing us talk about the mental health illness being a part of this. Some of these are not someone who has a mental health issue. Some of these are just blatant criminals, who are actually operating in three’s. So how do you distinguish and really get to the root problem? Stokes: So, while you're talking Sarah, we’re showing video of the disinfecting going on within the train cars. We know that a year ago, was shut down from 1 to 5 and then 2 to 4 and now we're open 24/7 again. So, explain how they're going to work the cleaning process? Scotto: So, the mayor says the only way the subway system is going to be running properly and safely—well this is what he says has to happen. We have a little interview with him to keep a strong presence in the subways, we're going to do all the things we need to do to bring the city back and I really think there's a direct interconnection now, the more people come back to the subways, the safer, they will get. Scotto: All right. So do you agree, the safer the city, the subways will be, is if we have more people riding the subways? Scotto: So, I'm wondering, you are the interim president, of the New York City Transit subway system, interim. Why not throw your hat into the mayor's race. It seems like you do not fear anyone. Is that something you would think about? Scotto: Would you consider them being the permanent president of the New York City Transit Authority. Feinberg: I have said have to get through all of the crisis at hand, and then I'll make my big career decisions. Okay so, so it was the pandemic--I believe we're getting on the other side of that pandemic, which is great news, now I'm getting to the other side of the return of 24/7 service, so let me get to the other side of getting what I need in the system and then we'll figure it out. But look, I do I see progress from the Mayor, from the City Hall, and from the Police Commissioner again, I can't praise Commissioner Shea enough. And from City Hall look, a week ago they were saying, you know, we don't know what she's talking about, there's nothing to see here, they're now saying this is a big problem we're going to turn it around, we're putting massive resources in, we're putting additional police officers in. I'm here for it, we're getting there. Scotto: Yeah, you know, I hear you thanking the Police Commissioner, I don't hear you thinking that six-foot seven guy who is waking up at Gracie Mansion this morning. Feinberg: Look, I will tell you I am feeling progress from City Hall. 10 days ago, they were saying nothing to see here, I don't know what she's talking about, and they're now saying we're going to put massive resources in, we're going to turn this thing around, so I'm going to take my wins where I can get them. Stokes: All right, New York City Transit Interim President, Sarah Feinberg, with us this morning. Thank you, Sarah. |
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