Staten Island Asm. Pirozzolo Blasts Plan To Remove Bus Routes, Stops On Property

Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo Blasts Staten Island Mall’s Plan to Eliminate Bus Routes & Stops On Their Property Beginning April 1.

A Statement by Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo (R,C-Staten Island)

Editor’s note: We’ve previously covered an event hosted by Macy’s at the Short Hills Mall featuring Kristen James of Star 99.1 to kick off the holiday shopping season. Bus routes on Staten Island are already a problem, becoming even more problematic during the short lived rollout of Congestion Pricing. 

“This afternoon, I was informed of a plan by Brookfield Properties, the owners of the Staten Island Mall, to remove the MTA’s ability to run its bus routes through Ring Road and most of the mall’s property beginning on April 1st. I find this decision baffling, as it appears driven by a desire to save $1.5 million in road maintenance costs at the expense of thousands of Staten Islanders (their own customers and employees) who rely on these bus routes every day.

The routes affected will be the S44, S59, S94, & S79. Bus stops along Ring Road will be discontinued and relocated along Richmond Avenue (on both sides), with another being placed on Marsh Avenue for the s79. The S55 and S56 are unaffected.

At a time when we should be improving public transit and supporting our seniors, individuals with disabilities, and working families, this poorly planned move instead forces riders to navigate a large, often congested parking lot, raising serious concerns about both safety and accessibility. Convenience matters, and so does pedestrian safety. It is unsettling that Brookfield would take steps that jeopardize both.

Significant expenses will be incurred for relocating the bus stops and shelters, updating maps and signage, and other logistical considerations. Does Brookfield anticipate taxpayers and transit riders, through the MTA, absorbing these costs to support the bottom line of a multi-billion-dollar corporation? I certainly hope not.

Moreover, this decision could hurt the very businesses the Mall depends on to survive. The thousands of riders who pass through these bus stops aren’t just commuters; they’re also shoppers, restaurant-goers, and employees of the stores that make Brookfield money. By making access more difficult, Brookfield risks undercutting the economic activity these customers bring to the Mall every day. Likewise, it is hard to imagine our community supporting Brookfield’s plans to expand its brick-and-mortar footprint if they find it acceptable to undercut their customers, employees, and taxpayers, especially with such little notice.

I strongly urge Brookfield Properties to reconsider. Staten Island deserves better than a cost-cutting measure that chips away at our community’s mobility and puts vulnerable residents at a greater disadvantage. My office is ready to work with the MTA, Brookfield, and transit- riders to seek sensible solutions that put Staten Islanders first.”

Banner Image: Staten Island Mall interior. Image Credit – JJBers, licensed by CC

Assemlymember Sam Pirozzolo

Sam Pirozzolo is a native Staten Islander. He is a frequent contributor to the Staten Islander, and is well-known and loved by people on both the Right and Left, in his North Shore community. Sam brings people together, instead of dividing, by speaking common sense and analyzing our island's, and city's, issues, with intelligence and concern for all. Sam Pirozzolo was elected to the New York State Assembly on November 8, 2022. The 63rd Assembly District represents parts of Richmond County. Sam has successfully operated his family’s optical practice for 33 years. He is the past president of Community Education Council 31 where he served for seven years. Some of his most notable accomplishments include the creation of a Gifted and Talented program for middle school students, the recommendation for the NYC Department of Education to hire retired police officers as school resource officers, and the successful fight for the immediate cleanup of toxic PCBs leaking from the light fixtures in school classrooms. As an education advocate, Sam has participated in historic litigation that led to the return of more than $4 billion to New York public schools. He also fought to ensure that co-located charter schools receive the same capital funding as their host public schools. While serving in the Legislature, Sam will work to support law enforcement officers with proper funding, fix broken bail and parole policies, and help small businesses grow and thrive in a stronger, more resilient economy.