February 16, 2007

Suozzi Receives New York University Rudin Center Award

-- Honored for Leadership in Regional Transportation Issues

New York, N.Y. – Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi yesterday received the Annual Leadership in Transportation Awards from New York University Wagner Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management.

“We are thrilled to be presenting the Public Leader Award to County Executive Suozzi,” said Rudin Center Director, Allison L. C. de Cerreño. “He very much deserves the recognition for all his good work and especially for his recent role the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council. He helped them pull together the concept of shared regional goals in transportation.”

“Transportation infrastructure affects our region’s economy, environment and our quality of life. My administration is committed to working toward improving air quality, reducing congestion and supporting mass transit, including the Second Avenue subway, East Side access for the LIRR and connecting Nassau’s HUB area to the region’s transit system," said Suozzi. "I am particularly honored to receive this award from the Rudin Center, which is a nationwide leader in developing innovative solutions to transportation issues.”

Suozzi was recognized for his efforts in promoting an aggressive program to help address congestion and air quality issues in Nassau County; for supporting transit-oriented development as part of the County’s Nassau Hub Major Investment Study development plan, as well as for his own visionary plan for New Suburbia. In 2005, while working with Long Island Transportation Management (LITM), the County introduced a series of programs targeted to County employees, in an effort to reduce single occupancy vehicles on Long Island’s roadways.

These include:

• TransitChek, the commuter benefits program to provide fiscal incentives to employees that commute to work using public transportation


• NuRide, a private sector computer-based ridesharing program was authorized for use by County employees


• Guaranteed Ride Home, as a complement to NuRide, assuring participants that they will always have a transportation option in the event of unforeseen circumstances

Nassau County has hosted Transit Fairs at various County sites to introduce these programs and to provide a general awareness of commute alternatives. LITM has named Nassau County a Commuter Choice Employer, and was given a 2006 Regional Commuter Choice Award by NYMTC.

The County Executive served as Co-Chairman of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council from April 2005 to March 2006. Under Suozzi, the Council adopted the concept of shared regional goals, which include:

• Improving the regional economy


• Enhancing the regional environment


• Improving the regional quality of life


• Providing convenient, flexible transportation access within the region


• Advocating for increased regional transportation investment

These goals have since been incorporated into the Council’s recent Regional Transportation Update. Approximately $5 million has also been earmarked in the Council’s 2007-2008 Unified Planning Work Program, which includes various planning studies that give guidance to where federal transportation dollars may most effectively be directed.

Suozzi received The 2007 Rudin Center Award from New York Daily News traffic columnist Sam Schwartz. Former director of the Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management is Elliot Sander, new chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

The Rudin Center Award is given annually to help raise awareness of issues facing the transportation community and to recognize the work of individuals and agencies devoted to advancing the quality and efficiency of the region’s transportation system.