Stroller March for Congestion Pricing: Parents and Children Joined Transportation Alternatives, Riders Alliance, Kids Over Cars, Climate Families NYC, and UP-STAND to Demand Congestion Pricing

Less than a quarter of subway stations are stroller-friendly, and because of Governor Hochul’s pause on congestion pricing, upgrades are in limbo at 23 subway stations.

Just five years ago, a mother died while carrying her infant daughter in her stroller down the stairs at an inaccessible subway station.

BROOKLYN, NY —  Today, dozens of parents and children joined with Transportation Alternatives, Riders Alliance, Kids Overs Cars, Climate Families NYC, and UP-STAND for a rally and stroller march to demand Governor Hochul support families by starting congestion pricing now.

The rally and stroller march began at Hoyt-Schermerhorn station, one of 23 subway stations slated to receive elevator upgrades with funding from congestion pricing, and without the program, at risk of cancellation. Families, particularly those with young children in strollers, rely on elevators to travel throughout the city safely and affordably. 

“Instead of uplifting parents and caregivers by funding accessible subway stations, Governor Hochul sided with wealthy special interests to cancel congestion pricing and put our city’s future at risk,” said Elizabeth Adams, interim co-executive director of Transportation Alternatives. “Elevators are crucial for parents, especially those with young children who need a stroller, in getting around New York City. Because of Governor Hochul’s short-sighted decision, 23 subway stations are now at risk of losing funding for eleavors — not to mention even more in future MTA plans. We need Governor Hochul to reverse her cancellation and start the program now. We can’t afford to wait any longer.”

Elevators are critical lifelines for parents and families traveling with strollers. Just a few years ago, a mother died while carrying her infant baby in a stroller down the stairs at an inaccessible subway station. Malaysia Goodson died at the Seventh Avenue subway station – a station that was slated to receive elevators funded by congestion pricing. Without funding, this elevator project has been shelved along with similar projects at 22 other subway stations. 

“Too many parents and caregivers struggle to navigate the subway without elevators, including pregnant moms like me. The Governor can show that she cares about NYC families by restoring congestion pricing and ensuring every subway station gets an elevator. Because parents like me need a lift!” said Lauren Phillips, co-founder, Kids Over Cars.

“There are hundreds of thousands of little kids under five living in New York City. Most of their families use strollers, and we want to make sure they can travel without any trouble,” said Ian Ntonto, a 10-year-old New Yorker with UP-STAND. “We have around 2,000 school age kids with physical disabilities who want to use public transportation just like everyone else. Let’s work together and make our city a better place for everyone.” 

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