Newburgh to Beacon Ferry Will Run Again! CARES Act + American Rescue Plan Act Earmarked For MTA

MTA MONEY FROM FEDERAL GOVT SINCE PANDEMIC
Rep. Maloney voted to pass the CARES Act in March of last year, which generated funding for different sectors, some of which the MTA is receiving:

$4.35 billion via The CARES Act: Allocated $4.35 billion to New York in Transportation Funds. $3.8 billion of those funds went exclusively to the MTA.

$6 billion via The American Rescue Plan Act: The American Rescue Plan Act, which Rep. Maloney voted to pass in February, dedicated over $6 billion to the MTA.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020, Metro-North implemented an Essential Service Plan and discontinued service on both ferries. This summer, readers of A Little Beacon Blog have written in to ask if the Newburgh/Beacon Ferry is running (signage and website were not updated), and if it would run again.

This Monday (7/19/2021), the MTA announced that they were reopening the Newburgh/Beacon Ferry, as well as the Haverstraw-Ossining ferry services, scheduled to resume on Monday, August 30, just one day after Metro-North's overall service increase, which will increase train service to 83% of pre-pandemic levels.

“We are so excited to see the region continue to recover, and our weekday ridership has increased steadily all spring and into the summer,” President Rinaldi said. “Our late August service increase will provide even more travel options for people ready to return to the office after Labor Day. Restoring ferry service during weekday peak periods will give our Rockland and Orange County customers returning to work additional options for getting to and from the City and other destinations along Metro-North’s Hudson Line.”

"People are coming back to work and NY Waterway ferries are here to give them a safe, fast and convenient commute. We’re thrilled to restart the Haverstraw-Ossining and Newburgh-Beacon service with Metro-North, and we look forward seeing all our past riders, and many more new ones, back aboard in August," said Armand Pohan, CEO, President and Chairman of NY Waterway.

Funding From CARES Act And American Rescue Plan Act Earmarked For MTA

In an emailed press release, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney highlighted the reinstatement of ferry service between Newburgh and Beacon, where he celebrated “the essential funding he secured for the MTA and Metro-North in the American Rescue Plan and CARES Acts that has enabled service to resume at close to full capacity,” stated in his press release sent Wednesday (7/21/2021).

Said Rep. Maloney: “Folks are going back into the office, and they need safe, reliable, and fast transportation to get there. Getting Metro-North up and running at full capacity is key to New York’s economic recovery,” said Rep. Maloney. “The MTA saw steep declines in ridership, expensive sanitation efforts, and a massive budget shortfall during the pandemic. I worked hard to deliver the funding necessary to help fill that deficit and get operations back to normal. Now, we are seeing the impact of that investment. We’re not at 100% yet, but thanks to the nearly $10 billion I helped secure in Washington, we are getting close.”

The CARES Act, which Rep. Maloney voted to pass in March of last year, allocated $4.35 billion to New York in Transportation Funds. $3.8 billion of those funds went exclusively to the MTA. Amtrak additionally received approximately $1 billion to meet funding needs after a decline of ridership on the Northeast Corridor and long-distance routes due to COVID-19.

The American Rescue Plan Act, which Rep. Maloney voted to pass in February, dedicated over $6 billion to the MTA, as well as $4 million for New York Stewart International Airport.

MTA Announced No Scheduled Fair Hike

Also on Monday, Gothamist reported that the MTA announced that they decided not to impose a previously scheduled and postponed fair hike. From the article:

“The MTA announced Monday that a previously postponed fare hike will not happen at all in 2021. MTA board member Larry Schwartz, who chairs the finance committee and is a close confidante and adviser to Governor Cuomo, said it would be inappropriate to raise fares, during Monday’s MTA committee meetings. Larry was also at the heart of a vaccination question on counties during the spotlight on Cuomo for alleged sexual inappropriateness in the spring of 2021.

“Now is not the time to raise fares,” Schwartz said Monday. “At a time when we need to encourage increasing ridership, raising fares does the opposite.”

After receiving so much money through the CARES Act and American Rescue Plan Act, as spelled out by Rep. Maloney in this week’s press release, it appears that they may not need to add that cost to people.

MTA Timetables For Re-Opening Services

According to the MTA’s 7/19/2021 announcement about the Newburgh/Beacon Ferry, the Augst 30th date is part of their logic on staggered openings. “Upcoming Aug. 29 service increase follows up on service increases reflected in Metro-North's April 12 and June 21 timetables. The April 12 timetables saw the restoration of weekend service to Wassaic and the reopening of the Manitou station, located near Bear Mountain Bridge and Anthony’s Nose. The June 21 timetables added 24 new peak trains on the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven Lines, bringing the railroad to 67% of its pre-pandemic service levels.”

Schedules for the Haverstraw-Ossining and Newburgh-Beacon ferries will be made available in early August. Perhaps the MTA will also update the printed signage in the Beacon location as well! And perhaps they will consider opening weekend service for trips across the river to visit the sister cities of Beacon and Newburgh!

Beacon Police Department Detective Bureau Issues Press Release After 2-Car Accident On Main Street

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

On Tuesday, May 11, 2021, the Beacon Police Department issued a Press Release regarding some details of the 2-car accident that resulted in both cars colliding in the middle of Main Street, and injuring at least 4 people. The Press Release was emailed by Detective Sergeant Jason Johnson, who stated to his media list that he had been out of the office on Monday, causing a delay in response.

The Press Release is below in full:

On Sunday May 9, 2021 at approximately 4:00pm, City of Beacon Police Officers responded to the intersection of Main Street and North Cedar Street for a report of an auto accident involving a vehicle into a building and an injured child. Upon arrival, it was determined that two vehicles had collided in the intersection and the force of the impact caused one vehicle to strike two unoccupied parked vehicles and the second vehicle to jump the curb coming to rest on the sidewalk. A 6-year-old boy’s foot was trapped underneath a rear tire and numerous bystanders were able to push the vehicle off of his foot. Both drivers along with the child were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries by Beacon Volunteer Ambulance, Phillipstown Volunteer Ambulance and Mobile Life Support Services. An investigation into the accident led to several traffic citations being issued. The City of Beacon Fire Department assisted at the scene.   

Read more about the accident in a full article at A Little Beacon Blog here.

Child + Grandmother Hit On Main Street Sidewalk In Beacon In 2-Car Accident On Sunday

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Photo Credit: Jean Noack

The child who was pinned under the car, and is being treated.
Photo Credit: A Little Beacon Blog

As first reported by Hudson Valley Post, who credited Action News Service for some detail, a mother with her children was walking down Main Street with her own mother and father on Mother’s Day (Sunday), when 2 cars hit each other on Main Street in between the Beacon Public Library and Subway. Both cars completely spiraled upon colliding, with one car doing a 360 onto the sidewalk next to Subway on South Cedar Street, hitting the grandmother, and pinning the 6 year old son, Colby, under it after he had been walking and eating ice cream. His ice cream remained in his hand, but his hat flew onto the car. The boy and the grandmother have injuries and are fine; ALBB has not yet confirmed the condition of the people in the cars.
UPDATE 5/11/2021: The Beacon Police Department Detective Beuro has issued a Press Release with some more detail.

According to a witness at the scene, screaming and shouting started, and a group of people rushed over to the car to lift it off of the boy. According Colby’s mother, Erica Bronner Alti, 5 men rushed over to the car to remove it from her son, a detail she posted to the Beacon, NY Facebook Group to raise awareness about speed on Main Street.

“I’m having a really hard time getting the thought of not seeing them near me and then only seeing his hat before finding them. I can’t shake it.”

— Erica Bronner Alti

Erica’s original post reads as follows: “I am the mother of the child and my mother was hit as well. They are both doing ok. Only bumps and bruises. We are beyond lucky. He was about 6 feet behind me walking with my mom when I saw the first car crash on the other side of Main Street. 10 seconds later I realized a car was on the sidewalk behind me. I did a quick head count seeing my dad and other 2 kids, but didn’t see my mom and 6 year old. I quickly walked around the car that was on the sidewalk and saw my son’s red hat on the trunk with his ice cream thrown on it. I thought the worst of course. We then walked around to find my Mother on the ground but conscious, and my son with the car on his foot. 5 men rushed over to move the car off of him. Amazingly he is a trooper and didn’t even shed a tear. How do we make sure people slow down on the Main Street? Others were eating outside very close to where this happened. Could’ve been much worse.”

Across the street via Main Street is Glazed Over Donuts, which has ample sidewalk space in front of it where people gather to eat their donuts. Across the street via South Cedar Street is Kumon, a tutoring center for children.

Details Of The Car Crash

According to the Hudson Valley Post, a blue Mazda was driving west (toward the river). A white Honda Civic making a left turn onto North Cedar Street from Main Street hit the blue Mazda, as emailed by Action News Service to Hudson Valley Post. The blue Mazda spun around in the middle of Main Street, and hit a parked car in front of the library, according to a witness. In these pictures, the blue Mazda has collision damage on both the left and right side of the front of the vehicle.

A person at the scene remembers seeing a wheel from the blue Mazda “completely torn off the car.”

A man presumed to be the driver of the blue Mazda was seen sitting on the ground rocking his head moments after the impact, according to a witness. He was later taken by an ambulance. A witness also said that police searched through his trunk and rear of the car, removing things from the vehicle. ALBB has reached out via email to the Beacon Police Department to confirm, but has not received reply yet, and left a voicemail with Detective Sgt. Johnson, who was the destination of the transfer from the desk officer who receives phone calls.

Upon impact, the white Honda Civic also spun around, and landed on the sidewalk of South Cedar Street, facing Main Street. According to Erica, the white Honda Civic “did a 360 after being hit on the rear passenger side and ended up facing towards Main Street. It bounced off the building or it would have hit all of us.”

The driver of the white Honda Civic was heard by people at the scene to have said that it was not her fault. ALBB has not yet confirmed her condition after the impact.

The rear of the white Honda Civic. A stuffed animal and drips of ice cream can be seen.
Photo Credit: Jean Noack

Details Of The Boy And Grandmother

The cup of ice cream that the boy was eating. This is sorbet from the Beacon Farmers Market. It was left at the scene, and was still here on Monday.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

The grandmother was struck by the white Honda Civic, and the 6 year old’s foot ended up pinned under the tire of the car. According to his mother, he was not pinned to the building, as reported by the Hudson Valley Post. Erica told ALBB: “I found him with the car on top of his foot, and he was laying on the ground next to my mom. He was still holding the emptied ice cream cup. I can’t understand how the ice cream and hat ended up on the back of the car because they were on on the driver’s side.”

A person who was at the scene said they heard a child crying during the accident, saying he had never experienced anything like this. Erica confirmed that child to be her other son. Colby, who was pinned under the car, was calm and “did not shed a tear,” Erica said.

The brown drips that are on the rear driver’s side of the white Honda Civic are ice cream, Erica confirmed.

The white Honda Civic on tow truck.
Photo Credit: Jean Noack

What Is The Speed Limit Down Main Street?

After driving Main Street in both directions today (Monday, May 10, 2020), there are no speed limit signs posted anywhere on Main Street.

A Police officer answering the phone at the general number today indicated that he thought that 30 miles per hour was the speed limit.

The speed limit on Wolcott/9D and on Fishkill Avenue/Rte. 52 (by the car dealership) is 30 miles per hour, as indicated on signs posted on those streets.

There are several other signs posted on Main Street, including parking limit signs, bus signs, One Way signs, and other signs.

Is There Traffic Safety Enforcement On Main Street?

Beacon’s Traffic Safety Committee is listed here. As Beacon continues to increase in popularity as a destination town, complaints made while out and about and in social media by locals about the traffic have increased. Beacon’s Mayor Kyriacou recently appointed a new member to Beacon’s Traffic Safety Committee who is a mother in town, and joined because she witnessed an accident at Wolcott and Main Street, and wants to make a difference with actions taken to reduce risk.

A Little Beacon Blog has reached out for comment from Mayor Lee Kyriacou, Chief Sands Frost, and City Administrator Chris White, but has not received a response yet.
UPDATE 5/11/2021: The Beacon Police Department Detective Beuro has issued a Press Release with some more detail.

How Are The People Involved In The Crash Doing?

Erica told ALBB: “My son is ok, the other son, my dad and I have loads of anxiety about it all. My mom has neck pain and big bruises. She said she remembers switching places with my son Colby a few seconds before it happened, putting him on the inside of the sidewalk. She might have saved his life because she got the brunt of it. I’m having a really hard time getting the thought of not seeing them near me and then only seeing his hat before finding them. I can’t shake it.”

If you have more information or photos about this incident, please send to the Beacon police, and to A Little Beacon Blog.

Photo Credit: Jean Noack

Photo Credit: Jean Noack

Photo Credit: Jean Noack

Truck Breaks Down For 1 Hour On Main Street During Sunday's Caravan

View fullsize

Photos submitted by readers. Truck pictured on Main Street was this Sunday, and truck pictured in circle was last Sunday on Rte. 52 across from Fishkill Town Hall while early voters stood in line along the road’s edge.

A truck pulling a metal dumpster container that was part of the caravan of pickup trucks, jeeps, minivans and smaller cars that passed through Beacon last Sunday, broke down during the demonstration for one hour in front of the Post Office, which is in the middle of Main Street and near the Beacon Farmer’s Market. The truck was part of the train of cars that passed through Beacon and Fishkill last week during the first week of early voting.

Onlookers gathered around the vehicle while Beacon police responded to direct traffic around the stalled truck. According to one person who was driving by: “There was a woman screaming at anti-Trump passerby’s saying: ‘Don’t you touch my personal property (pointing at the truck) and don’t (pointing at the police) harass these men.” It is unknown at this time if onlookers were saying anything in exchange or initially. When a person is isolated in the middle of the road with a stationery vehicle, it is always nerve wracking, and can cause lashing out.

Detective Sergeant Jason Johnson confirmed with A Little Beacon Blog that an accident occurred after the truck broke down, and that a street closure was required to help route traffic around the vehicle: “Yes, there was a truck that broke down on Main Street between Veterans Place and Teller Avenue. It was what I would describe as a large roll off dumpster truck. Officers were able to route vehicles around the truck to clear traffic. Due to the size of the truck, several tow companies were contacted and the wait was approximately an hour for the tow truck. Eventually, that block was shut down as the operator was working on the truck. A van was permitted to pass and the operator misjudged and struck the disabled truck. Officers had already routed countless vehicles larger than the van through there with no issues. Luckily, no one was injured.”

Tree Trimming Happening Friday - No Parking On That Side Of The Street

Tree trimming (not the Christmas kind - but actual clippers) is happening on Friday in Beacon. Parking on one side of the street is restricted while the trucks go up to do their work. No trees will be cut down, says the City of Beacon. But limbs will be pruned back.

With the new “parklets” going up in front of restaurants, where restaurant seating is in a parking spot to help restaurants accommodate customers to increase business, it’s something to keep up with now when parking is amended temporarily.

Rejoice! New Mini Free Parking Signs At City Of Beacon's Free Public Parking Lots

At last…there is a modern looking, conversational-style Free Parking sign at Beacon’s free municipal parking lots. This is something we have dreamed of for years, and is why A Little Beacon Blog created our Free Parking Guide.

Granted, there is the traditional and official green P sign that stands for “Free Parking,” but when was the last time you studied for your drivers license test to remember what that sign stands for? Granted, you don’t forget what the red STOP sign looks like, but a green P can be a little vague and un-mememorable. Let alone un-noticable.

In addition to this little parking sign, you’ll notice the fancy new Dutchess County sign, where you’ll find the DMV, Family Services, Astor Services, Office of Probation and Community Correction, and other county offices. For years, this sign was pretty trashed and tired. Last year, it got a makeover. This particular parking lot is owned by Dutchess County, so is only free on the nights and weekends.

Beacon Train Station Overpass Stairs Being Replaced By MTA

Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

A reader wrote in to ask about the work being done to the overpass at the Beacon Train Station and why the stairs had been blocked off since late January 2020. According to a flyer posted in the MTA box, the stairs were closed on January 28, 2020, with an ETA of reopening in April 2020. A Little Beacon Blog reached out to the mayor’s office and learned that Beacon had been informed of the work, but not told in detail what it was, said Anthony J. Ruggiero, city administrator for the city of Beacon.

We reached out to the press office of the MTA, and learned that the MTA is fully replacing the entire staircase, from the parking lot to the pedestrian overpass. “The concrete has been completely removed and new steel is currently being installed,” answered Meredith Daniels, spokesperson with the State of New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority. “We expect the steel work to be completed by mid-March and new concrete stairs will then be poured. The new stairs are anticipated to open by early April.“

Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

PS: Getting these pictures today was actually tricky, with the strong gusts of wind whipping across the platform! I had to brace myself to the trash cans to avoid being blown away. Be careful out there!

Newburgh-Beacon Bridge At Risk For Toll Increases and Declining Repair, Area Lawmakers Say Of Proposed Merger

Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

Do you ever think about who manages the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge as you pass by it, or pay its tolls? Hudson Valley lawmakers and area leaders are up in arms about a potential management switch proposed by Governor Andrew Cuomo in his budget, released in January 2020, to merge the New York State Bridge Authority into the New York State Thruway Authority. What's the main difference? One deals with Hudson Valley local bridges.

“The Assembly and Senate are fighting to have the proposed merger taken out of the budget. The deadline for the final budget is April 1, 2020.”

— Assemblymember Jonathan G. Jacobson's Office

Assemblymember Jonathan G. Jacobson (D-104) organized a rally on February 20, 2020, bringing together Assemblymember Sandy Galef (D-95) and other area leaders to express their opposition to Governor Cuomo’s proposed merger of the New York State Bridge Authority into the New York State Thruway Authority, which could impact tolls and improvements made to the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge. Leaders expressed their fears that residents of the Hudson Valley would suffer from toll increases and a decline in bridge maintenance should this merger happen, according to Assemblymember Jacobson's press release.

According to Assemblymember Jacobson’s office, “The Assembly and Senate are fighting to have the proposed merger taken out of the budget. The deadline for the final budget is April 1, 2020.”

Anthony Adamo, President of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), said, “The hardworking men and women who work every day to keep the bridges safe and well-maintained should not be sacrificed for a bureaucratic plan hatched in Albany.”

“ To date, no-one has been able to give us a concrete answer as to how much—if any—money this proposed consolidation may actually save New Yorkers. ”

— Senetor Sue Serino

Established in the 1930s, the Bridge Authority is responsible for the Rip Van Winkle Bridge, the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge, the Mid-Hudson Bridge, the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, and the Bear Mountain Bridge. Tolls are kept the same for each bridge and are currently $1.25 with EZ-PASS and $1.50 cash. The proposed 2020 increase to $1.65 EZ-PASS/$2.15 cash will still be the lowest in New York State. The Thruway Authority currently charges $4.75 to motorists crossing the Mario G. Cuomo Bridge (formerly known as the Tappan Zee Bridge) with a proposed 2020 increase to $5.75.

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-106) wrote to say, “This is a true case of ‘if it’s not broken, why fix it.’ The Bridge Authority was established in 1932 by Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt to ensure smooth and affordable travel across the Hudson River and to keep these bridges independent and locally operated. Tens of thousands of residents use these bridges each day as local roads, not highways, and the Governor's proposal threatens to change that dynamic. Abolishing the Bridge Authority runs a real risk of increased tolls for drivers and a seriously negative impact on our Hudson Valley economy and communities.”

Assemblymember Jacobson said, “The proposed plan is nothing more than a solution in search of a problem. This merger would have a detrimental impact on both the economy and the overall quality of life in this region. Our fear is simple:

• First, that tolls generated in the Hudson Valley will be diverted to fund the new Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.

• Second, that the Thruway Authority will raise tolls on these bridges while simultaneously allowing their condition to deteriorate.
  

"This merger is unnecessary, ill advised, and unfair. It is also just plain wrong. Wrong for the bridges, wrong for the communities, and wrong for the residents of the Hudson Valley,” Assemblymember Jacobson said.

State lawmakers and leaders made their statements in front of the Bridge Authority Headquarters in Highland, where they were joined by:

• Anthony Adamo, President of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)

• Richard Gerentine, Chair of the Bridge Authority Board

• Frank Castella, President of the Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce

• Senator Sue Serino

• Representatives of Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney and Assemblymember Kevin Cahill

• Town of Lloyd Board Member Mike Guerriero

• Bridge Authority Board members Roger Higgins, Roderick Dressel, Diane Jablonski, and Henry Stanton.

“The Bridge Authority was established in 1932 by Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt to ensure smooth and affordable travel across the Hudson River and to keep these bridges independent and locally operated. Tens of thousands of residents use these bridges each day as local roads, not highways, and the Governor’s proposal threatens to change that dynamic.”

— Assemblymember Didi Barrett

Richard Gerentine, Chair of the Bridge Authority, said, “The Bridge Authority is run by a board of local volunteers who have always championed efficiency, maintenance, and safety. We already collaborate with the State to find savings on purchases, so there is nothing to be gained and everything to lose.”

Assemblymember Aileen Gunther (D-100) wrote to say, “We need to be keeping our money in the Hudson Valley. The Bridge Authority is one of those avenues that allows us to keep our money local. We shouldn’t be fixing something that isn’t broken.”

Senator Serino (R-41) said, “Our communities have always been wary of mega-authorities because of our experience with the MTA, a situation where our community is barely given a voice and where our residents are treated as nothing more than a piggybank and an afterthought. To date, no one has been able to give us a concrete answer as to how much—if any—money this proposed consolidation may actually save New Yorkers. We also have not gotten guarantees that the tolls on our bridges won't rise, or that tolls paid on our bridges won’t ultimately be used to subsidize the Thruway, or that these local jobs our residents depend on would be protected. Additionally, I do not see any reason why the two Authorities can't already share services to keep costs down... I have yet to see how this proposal would directly benefit the residents that we serve, which is why I am urging my Legislative colleagues to reject this proposal."

Assemblymember Galef said, “The Bridge Authority has, for decades, successfully ensured that the five major bridges in the Hudson Valley region remain safe and usable, and they have done so for decades while keeping costs low. These bridges have, in turn, allowed Hudson Valley residents to easily cross the Hudson River to work, shop, and [take part in] a great many other activities that have stimulated our local economies. I fear that by dissolving this Authority, constituents that live and work in the Great Hudson Valley region will experience higher tolls and a potential decline in road conditions.”

Assemblymember Kevin Cahill (D-103) added: "The Bridge Authority works and works well. The Thruway Authority works and works well. Both are highly efficient operations."

3 Pedestrians Hit By Car In Beacon At Main Street and 9D Intersection

On Monday, December 23, three pedestrians in Beacon were hit by a car at the intersection of Main Street and Route 9D (aka Wolcott Avenue), which is across from the police station, and near Bank Square Coffee, according to a press release issued by the Beacon Police Department and reported by local news outlets.

According to the reports, at 4 pm, police and emergency medical service personnel responded to the accident, transporting the three pedestrians to a local hospital where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

As reported, the driver was a 17-year-old who fled the scene after allegedly hitting the people. The identity of the driver has not been released because of their minor age. The driver was charged with leaving the scene of a personal injury auto accident, as well as other vehicle and traffic citations, according to this article, and then was released to the parents on an appearance ticket.

There are two major crosswalks on Route 9D at Main Street, with a third crosswalk a little further up Main Street, across from the Beacon Creamery and Bank Square Coffee. All crossings are dangerous at that intersection, as traffic crosses out onto 9D from Main Street, and seeing pedestrians crossing on the far side of the crosswalk from the train station is unexpected, unless you are slowing down and first looking really closely.

The left turn from 9D onto Main Street often involves fast turns and clipping the double-yellow line on Main Street, nearly missing hitting cars stopped on Main Street at the red light. South Avenue empties onto Main Street at that point as well, with cars either making the left onto it, or cars making the right out from it. Not to mention the cars who make the illegal left turn out of South Avenue.

The details of this car accident have not yet been reported.

New Year's Eve Lyft Discount Available For Newburgh Pick-Ups and Drop-Offs

This New Year’s Eve, people using Lyft to get to or from a destination in Newburgh can get $10 off two rides, with a maximum of $10 per ride, thanks to an initiative put together by local officials and Lyft. Newburgh is one of three areas across New York State engaged in the effort, according to a press release issued today by Assemblymember Jonathan G. Jacobson’s office.

According to the press release: “Senator James Skoufis (D-Hudson Valley), Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson (D-Newburgh), and City of Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey partnered with Lyft to provide discounted rides on New Year’s Eve to ensure riders in the City of Newburgh can access affordable, reliable transportation. The initiative is part of a shared commitment to reduce impaired driving as people celebrate the holiday season.”

How To Use The Lyft/Newburgh Discount

The discount is good from Tuesday, December 31, 2019, to Wednesday, January 1, 2020. Riders can use the promo code NEWBURGHNYE to receive $10 off two rides, with a maximum of $10 per ride. The code will work as long as one of the locations, drop-off or pick-up, is in the City of Newburgh. A rider must have the Lyft app installed on their phone, which they can get from their phone’s app store for free.

What Officials Are Saying About It

In the press release, Mayor Torrance Harvey said: “Senator Skoufis, Assemblyman Jacobson and I agree that public safety is Newburgh’s #1 priority and we thank Lyft for offering a great discount to our residents to ride on New Year’s Eve. We don’t want people drinking and driving. Celebrate smart!”

"Our community's safety, both on and off the road, is of the utmost importance to me," said Senator James Skoufis. "That's why I was grateful to partner with Lyft to establish two discounted rides for anyone traveling to and from Newburgh on New Year's Eve. I hope our community takes advantage of this and everyone celebrating the new year with their loved ones has a safe and warm ride home."

"New Year's Eve should be fun, but safe,” said Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson. “I applaud Lyft for encouraging people not to drink and drive. The discount they are offering will help keep the roads safer for everyone.”’

“We are grateful to Senator Skoufis, Assemblymember Jacobson and Mayor Harvey for their partnership on this important initiative,” said Jen Hensley, director of public policy at Lyft. “Since 2017, Lyft has provided affordable and reliable transportation throughout Newburgh, helping people to get to work, school, and home responsibly after a night out. This New Year’s Eve, we are proud to work together with thoughtful leaders to ensure Lyft riders celebrating in Newburgh have no excuse to drive impaired.”

Newburgh - Beacon Ferry Trial Weekend Access Canceled For October 19th and 20th, 2019

This just in from the desk of Beacon’s City Administrator, Anthony Ruggiero:

Newburgh & Beacon Pilot Tourist River-Boat Program for the Weekend of October 19 and October 20 Cancelled

“The Newburgh & Beacon Pilot Tourist River-Boat Program for the weekend of Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20 is being cancelled due to weather conditions and logistical concerns. The partners, the Cities of Newburgh and Beacon, and Orange County and Dutchess County, regret the cancellation, but are already looking towards next year.”

For more information, people are directed to contact the following:

• City of Newburgh Department of Planning and Development, Alexandra Church, planning@cityofnewburgh-ny.gov or (845) 569-9400

• City of Beacon City Administrator Anthony Ruggiero, MPA, at aruggiero@cityofbeacon.org or (845) 838.5009

• Orange County Planning Department planning@orangecountygov.com or (845) 615.3840

Was the first trial of the Newburgh/Beacon Ferry a success? According to Gabe Berlin, chair of the Newburgh Transportation Committee: “I was told almost every run on the Saturday was nearly full.”