Vol. 60 No. 7
February 15, 2025
$1.25
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Income Affidavit Information Seminar to be Held Feb. 25 BY ROZAAN BOONE Shareholders who would like more information on filing their annual Income Affidavit electronically and those with general questions about the process are invited to attend the next Information Session scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m. in the Bartow Center, Rm. 31. This meeting will be held in-person and virtually on Zoom. To join, use https:// tinyurl.com/4p5848up (Meeting ID: 993 3748 0775; passcode: 775997) or scan the QR Code at left. To join by phone: One Tap Mobile, (1-929-205-6099), 99337480775, *775997# (US (New York) or 1-646-931-3860. This is the second Information Session to be held this year in preparation for the filing period which begins in April. Completed Income Affidavits are due on May 30. Additional sessions are being planned for March and April. These Income Affidavit information sessions are facilitated by Riverbay Assistant Executive General Manager Cary Smith III and Capstone Strategy Group, the vendor Riverbay collaborated with to digitize the Income Affidavit form. At each session, the steps involved to complete the form will be reviewed, how to return the completed Affidavit, and shareholders’ questions will be answered. All shareholders, regardless of if they intend to continue filing a paper Income Affidavit or will utilize the newer electronic filing option, are encouraged to attend at least one of the seminars to learn more about the work that is being done to simplify the process. “In the last two years since we launched the pilot electronic filing of the annual Income Affidavit, we have been getting more traction among shareholders and we’re hoping this will be a breakthrough year with more shareholders taking advantage of the opportunity,” said Riverbay Assistant Executive General Manager Cary Smith III. “The paper affidavit submission will continue to be an option (Continued on page 2)
New Feature! Directors’ Corner, see page 4
MTA Launches Live ASL Interpretation Pilot
In observance of Presidents’ Day on Mon., Feb. 17, Riverbay Administrative Offices will be closed. For emergency services, call: MAINTENANCE: 718-320-3300, option 2; PUBLIC SAFETY: 718-671-3050 Because of the shortened work week, all articles and directors’ viewpoints submitted for publication in the Saturday, Feb. 22nd issue of the CCTimes must be received before 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18. Material received after this time will be considered on a first come basis as space allows. Have a safe and enjoyable Presidents’ Day!
BY DANIELLE CRUZ
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is now issuing fines to drivers who are caught blocking or obstructing a bus lane as part of their Automated Camera Enforcement (ACE) program. The ACE program uses cameras mounted onto MTA buses to capture the license plate numbers of cars that are stopped, parked, or double-parked in bus Bus lane camera mounted routes and bus stops. on bus windshield. Photo by MTA Drivers caught on camera will receive a $50 fine for their first offense and fines will increase to $250 for repeat violators. The program, which was expanded in September of 2024, is enforced along 34 bus routes throughout the five boroughs and 1,000 buses are equipped with cameras. (Continued on page 2)
Report Shows NYC Bus System Among Slowest Nationwide BY BRANDON ORTIZ
The MTA is looking to improve the transit experience for New Yorkers who are Deaf or hard of hearing through a new pilot program announced on February 10. By scanning a QR code, riders can connect directly with a live ASL interpreter who can act as a mediary to help the Deaf or hard of hearing individual communicate their questions or concerns with an MTA employee. The service is free and uses Convo Access, a mobile and web-based application. In addition to Penn Station, Port Authority and Times Square, the free ASL interpretation service will also be available at the following subway stations:
New York City’s Independent Budget Office (IBO) released a report on Thursday, February 6, analyzing the current state of the city’s bus network. The report highlighted several key findings, particularly from their analysis of city bus speed data, an indicator of general system efficiency. Data from city bus speeds showed that the NYC bus system is “among the slowest bus systems in the United States,” according to IBO. As a whole, IBO’s report pointed out how bus speeds have also not improved in the past decade at all. “Bus riders have experienced a downturn in bus speeds and efficiency. Average bus speeds and ridership have both decreased since the early 2010s and improved only slightly when comparing current
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BY BRANDON ORTIZ
CCTimes Holiday Deadline Notice
MTA Bus Lane Cameras
Income Affidavit Information Sessions Shareholders are reminded that the annual Income Affidavit period begins in April. The virtual Information Sessions currently being held each month on Zoom, and in-person, are for shareholders to familiarize themselves with the digital Income Affidavit process should they choose to take advantage of this filing option. Those with questions can also use the Information Sessions to get answers. These virtual Information Sessions are different from the Help Sessions that are facilitated by the Riverbay Finance department during the Income Affidavit filing period which begins in April and where Finance staff assist shareholders to fill out the Affidavit and notaries are available to notarize the form. Paper Income Affidavit forms will be mailed to all shareholders when they become available.