Bronx, NY – On Monday night, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz was honored at the 2017 Riders Alliance Gala as their “Transit Champion” for public service on behalf of New York City transit riders. In his first year as Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions, Assemblyman Dinowitz quickly became a loud and vocal leader in the fight for better mass transit both among his colleagues and his fellow New Yorkers.

Earlier this spring, the Governor’s executive budget proposed a reduction of $65 million in the MTA’s operating budget. Assemblyman Dinowitz led the fight in the Assembly against the proposed budget cuts, and was ultimately successful in getting $65 million added to the MTA capital budget.

Assemblyman Dinowitz also led the fight for improved bus service, including several simple changes that would reduce bus travel times by 25%. In August, he recruited 45 of his colleagues to demand that the MTA and New York City Transit implement all-door boarding and transit signal priority in addition to coordinating with Department of Transportation to reexamine existing bus routes and street architecture to make bus service more efficient.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx) said: “I am honored to be given this award from Riders Alliance. As someone who didn’t start driving until I was almost 30 years old, I know firsthand how essential a functional mass transit system is to New York City. Our fight isn’t finished, and I will continue to be a loud and vocal advocate for a 21st Century transit system that New York can be proud of. All New Yorkers should be grateful for the leading role of the Riders Alliance in the fight to improve train and bus service in New York City. I look forward to continuing to work with them in our ongoing effort to fix our mass transit system.”