Council Committees on Disabilities, Transportation, and Sanitation Held Hearing on City’s Snow Removal

USANewsOnline.Com Desk, New York : Today, Council Member Shahana Hanif, Chair of the Committee on Disabilities, convened a joint oversight hearing with the Committees on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management and Transportation and Infrastructure to examine New York City’s snow removal operations and accessibility challenges following the recent winter storm.
The hearing was held jointly with Council Member Justin Sanchez, Chair of the Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management, and Council Member Shaun Abreu, Chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Testimony was provided by the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY), Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD), along with advocates, workers involved in emergency snow removal efforts, and members of the public.
“Snow removal is not just about clearing streets. It is about whether New Yorkers can safely participate in daily life,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif, Chair of the Committee on Disabilities. “This recent storm highlighted how critical it is that accessibility is fully integrated into our snow response. Today’s hearing was an important opportunity to work with our agency partners to identify improvements, strengthen coordination, and ensure disabled New Yorkers and older adults can safely navigate their neighborhoods after severe weather.”
Council Members raised concerns about lingering snow and ice that created dangerous conditions citywide, with particularly severe impacts on seniors, disabled New Yorkers, caregivers, and families with strollers. Testimony highlighted blocked curb ramps, uncleared sidewalks, inaccessible bus stops, and gaps in interagency coordination that left many residents unable to safely leave their homes for days after the storm.
“Today’s testimony made clear that winter weather does not only bring on operational challenges, but accessibility and safety issues for thousands of New Yorkers. I’m thankful to Council Member Hanif and Majority Leader Abreu for their partnership and ability to bring everybody together for this well-rounded hearing,” said Council Member Justin Sanchez, Chair of Council’s Committee on Sanitation, “Now it is on us, to once again come together to identify solutions that empower our departments and give them the support they need to improve our systems for future storms.”
The hearing examined agency preparedness, resource allocation, communication protocols, and strategies to improve snow clearance at sidewalks, curb ramps, and transit access points. Council Members also discussed opportunities to strengthen accountability and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations during future winter storms.
“When it snows, our sidewalks must remain clear and accessible for everyone, especially older adults and New Yorkers with disabilities who face greater challenges getting around,” said Majority Leader Shaun Abreu, Chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. “That means fully cleared curb ramps and crosswalks, wide and passable sidewalk paths, and snow-free bus stops. Recent storms tested our systems, and this hearing was an opportunity to closely examine the city’s response and identify where we need to do better. The personal stories we heard today made clear that while progress has been made, gaps remain. I’m grateful to the neighbors who shared their experiences and helped us understand how to strengthen our response going forward.”
Additional testimony and agency responses revealed several key takeaways. Commissioner Javier Lojan detailed the extensive scope of the Department of Sanitation’s snow removal operations, from pre-storm preparation to plowing routes and enforcement, highlighting the scale and complexity of the City’s response. Council Members raised concerns about delays in clearing pedestrian bridges, which fall under DOT’s responsibility. DOT officials explained that the City maintains 600 pedestrian bridges, categorized into Priority 1 through 3, with Priority 1 bridges cleared first. However, Council Members also learned that the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) currently plays a limited direct role in shaping snow response policy, instead relying largely on disability-related 311 complaints flagged by DOT and coordinating with nonprofit partners to respond to individual concerns. Council Member Hanif intends to explore ways to empower MOPED to influence snow response policy.
“When the City fails to clear accessible routes near polling sites, it risks functionally excluding voters,” said Marc Safman, New York DeafBlind Advocates, CEO Safman Consulting. “Accessibility failures become democratic failures.”
The hearing made clear that too many New Yorkers, especially people with disabilities, older adults, and parents with strollers, are still navigating dangerous conditions after snowstorms. The Council heard consistent concerns about uncleared bus stops and the lack of clear, real-time information about what areas have actually been addressed. Council Member Hanif is exploring legislative and oversight actions to strengthen accountability, improve coordination, and ensure the public has reliable information so people can travel safely after winter weather events. Press Release