The views on transportation and mobility justice of our elected officials fundamentally shapes our built environment. With this in mind, Buffalo Transit Riders United (BTRU, a campaign of the Coalition for Economic Justice), Colored Girls Bike Too (CGBT), GoBike Buffalo, Restore Our Community Coalition (ROCC) and the Scajaquada Corridor Coalition (SCC) collaborated to develop a nonpartisan educational questionnaire on the topic of transportation and mobility justice for candidates running for Buffalo Mayor, so that our respective memberships can read the responses from these campaigns and use this information to better inform their vote.
This questionnaire was sent out as a Google Form to the publicly-available main campaign email address on October 11th to the campaign of the balloted candidate, India Walton. Similarly, we reached out via the publicly-available main campaign email addresses of the write-in campaigns of Byron Brown, Ben Carlisle, Jaz Miles, Taniqua Simmons, and William O’Dell. All were asked to respond no later than 5pm Thursday October 21st.
Responses, or lack of, should not be construed as endorsements or opposition of any of these campaigns by any of our organizations. All responses we received are published verbatim.
Candidate Responses, sorted alphabetically by last name
Balloted Candidates
- India Walton, Democratic Party
Write-in Candidates
- Byron Brown – Did not respond to questionnaire
- Ben Carlisle
- Jaz Miles – Did not respond to questionnaire
- Taniqua Simmons – Did not respond to questionnaire
- William O’Dell – Did not respond to questionnaire
Investing in just, safe and complete streets enhances quality of life and addresses issues such as affordability, equity, access, health, and the safety of our streets. How would your office use its power to encourage an active mobility culture? What would be your first project?
WALTON
I believe “complete streets” can be a powerful part of making Buffalo a fairer, safer, healthier, and more equitable city. Complete streets are sometimes viewed as a “boutique issue” that is a priority of the affluent. I don’t share that view. I know from lived experience that low-income communities suffer the most from the harms brought on by policies that prioritize cars and private car ownership and big business over people, public transportation, and thriving neighborhood life. Listed in my near-term (6 months to one year) policy goals is a colorful crosswalks project. This will include coloring bike lanes, crosswalks, and school zones to slow traffic and alert drivers to changes in speed limits and traffic patterns.
CARLISLE
I walk to work everyday. As mayor, I will walk to City Hall everyday. I will lead by example on this issue. My first project would be an advertising campaign aimed at changing the driving culture in Buffalo.
Would you support a dedicated budget line for improvements to bike, transit and pedestrian transportation infrastructure? (Y/N)
WALTON
Yes
CARLISLE
Yes
What modes of transportation do you personally use besides driving a vehicle and how has your experience been for each?
WALTON
When I didn’t have a car and lived in the Fruit Belt, I depended on public transportation for everything. To get anywhere near my work in the city I had to take two busses and a train; god forbid I had an appointment. To get to the grocery store, I had to take a bus and a train and then walk the four to five blocks carrying enough food for four children. I can’t imagine going back to or allowing others to continue on in that state of being. We need to invest in public transportation and work with communities on planning issues to best meet their needs and the needs of the City as a whole.
CARLISLE
I walk to work every day. I also like to bike around town. For the most part, I think drivers in this town do a decent job of looking out for pedestrians and bikers. We could certainly use more dedicated bike lanes, but I think the city has made great strides in that area in the last decade or so.
According to Smart Growth America’s “Dangerous by Design” study, between 2008 and 2019, 125 pedestrians and cyclists have been killed in the Buffalo MSA by traffic violence
– this count does not include those who survived with life-altering injuries. As Mayor, what direct steps do you plan to take to reduce vehicular violence against non-motorized users within the city, and how would you work with other governmental entities to reduce it throughout our region?
WALTON
As Mayor, I aim to reduce the speed limit on residential streets to 25mph citywide, commit more funding for the maintenance of sidewalks, roads, signs, streetlights, and street furniture, color bike lanes, crosswalks, and school zones to slow traffic and alert drivers to changes in speed limits and traffic patterns, implement municipal snow removal programming throughout the city to increase traffic and commuter safety in the winter months.
CARLISLE
My guess is none of the above involved a willful act of violence. Instead, carelessness and negligence were to blame. Changing peoples’ driving habits and making them more cognizant of pedestrians and bikers is going to require more education and public service announcements; I don’t think there is much we can do with laws to change the situation. As someone who walks to work everyday, I will champion this issue. I will use the power of the office of mayor to raise awareness to this problem and hopefully have a positive impact on changing the mindset of drivers.
If elected, would you commit to a goal of reducing car dependency within the City of Buffalo by 2030? (Y/N)
WALTON
Yes
CARLISLE
Yes
If so, how?
WALTON
I like what the former Mayor of Bogata, Enrique Penalosa said “that a City should be a place where a child can get around safely on a bicycle” also that the mark of an “advanced city is not that poor people own cars but that rich people take public transport.” I am hopeful that there will be significant funding coming out of Washington under the Biden Administration for public transportation and livable streets, but we need to be ready even if there is not and evaluate what resources we have and how they can best be used to reduce car dependency. As Mayor, I plan to increase the number of buses running as well as expand bus routes, develop Bus Rapid Transit or similar service, and work towards increased access for all community members to programs like ReddyBike. We will have to work hard at the federal and state level to seek out and advocate for funding for transit oriented development projects. Engaging in efforts to revamp and re-orient urban highways and expressways are crucial to this effort as well. While ultimately public funding is going to be necessary to achieve a less car dependent City, we will also explore private funding opportunities for pilot and demonstration projects. There is going to need to be a real commitment to and investment in community planning processes to end car dependency.
CARLISLE
I think we need a major expansion of our metro line. Right now it only goes in one direction. At a minimum, we need a metro line that connects the airport to downtown.
What role, if any, do you see police taking in traffic enforcement? How do you envision working toward safe streets for biking, walking and public transit users while also reducing the dependence on armed officers to enforce traffic laws?
WALTON
Order the Law Department to conduct a full review of the city’s ability to discipline, including the offices and officers involved in traffic enforcement. Establish a civilian Traffic Safety Division to enforce routine traffic safety laws and remove police from routine traffic enforcement and increase the number of trained community-oriented officers. Create unarmed public safety detail to address quality of life and social calls to 911, freeing trained police officers to focus on solving crime.
CARLISLE
The role that BPD currently takes in traffic enforcement is appropriate in my opinion. I have lived all over the US. Cops are generally not setting up speed traps in Buffalo like they do in other places I’ve lived. I don’t see the cops in Buffalo looking for an excuse to pull someone over; they seem to have bigger fish to fry. I do not want to see their presence increased, nor do I want to see any additional “safety patrol” on the streets issuing fines to poor people. I also do not believe in digital surveillance. We need to change the culture. It can be done without more cops, without more cameras, and without more layers of government. As stated above, I believe an advertising campaign aimed at making our streets safer for everyone would be the most effective strategy. Having a mayor who walks to City Hall everyday will lend much needed awareness to the issue.
Would you support the creation of a new civilian non-police traffic safety department, such as the BerkDOT program in Berkeley CA? (Y/N)
https://www.berkeleyside.org/2021/05/25/berkeley-department-of-transportation-civilian-tr affic-enforcement
WALTON
Yes
CARLISLE
No
What are your plans to make sidewalks and streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists without relying on fines and fees?
WALTON
Increasing not only the number of bus shelters but their size and quality, expanding sidewalks, especially in corridors where development is already underway (ie. the Niagara Corridor) and installing an increased number of sheltered or protected bike lanes throughout the city, using bollards or better coloring and signage.
CARLISLE
Again, I believe an advertising campaign aimed at making our streets safer for everyone would be the most effective strategy. Having a mayor who walks to City Hall everyday will lend much needed awareness to the issue.
How specifically would you, as Mayor, work to improve our city sidewalks, bus shelters, trees and other street infrastructure to better support public transit riders, pedestrians and cyclists?
WALTON
Planting more trees throughout the city guided by those who are aware of pollination cycles and species viability and supporting efforts like Re-Tree WNY. Expanding sidewalks, buildout of the bike network with inclusion of protected bike infrastructure as well as the installation of more safe and secure bike parking, bollards along the larger corridors and inset walking and bike paths. Increased temporary street closures for pedestrian recreation will also be helpful.
CARLISLE
The only thing the mayor can do is raise awareness and fight for more funds. I will do both.
“Pedestrianizing” streets was successful for Chippewa Street and Chicago Street during the pandemic. What other streets would you also consider removing cars from on a temporary or permanent basis?
WALTON
In New York City, a lot of the success of temporary street closures came from the engagement of the businesses that lined the closed streets. Engaging with those vendors to ensure their cooperation and enthusiasm is crucial to the success of this kind of programming. Making sure that similar programming reaches other areas of the city outside of the Elmwood Village, Allentown and the like will allow fun, safe ‘pedestrianizing’ to continue.
CARLISLE
Removing cars from Main Street on a permanent basis was a disaster. I would never want that mistake repeated in Buffalo again. We only have handful of months in Buffalo where pedestrians are out in the streets in great numbers. I would be an advocate for removing cars from certain streets during events, but I would not want to see any streets completely closed off to vehicles on a permanent basis.
What plans do you have for implementing municipal sidewalk snow plowing beyond pilot programs, and would you support a policy of municipal sidewalk snow plowing along all bus routes?
WALTON
Beyond piloting a Municipal Sidewalk Snow Removal Program targeting shared walkways in high-pedestrian traffic areas, I hope to implement Snow and Ice Clearing Assistance Programs, employing neighborhood youth and servicing seniors and homeowners unable to clear snow.
CARLISLE
I don’t think the city has the funds at this time to plow municipal sidewalks. As stated, I walk to work everyday. I think businesses and residents do a fairly good job of keeping our sidewalks clear.
If elected, how would you begin to make more consistent and rapid progress on implementing the City of Buffalo’s Bicycle Master Plan?
WALTON
Several of the members of the Advisory Board and Steering Committee for the Master Plan are supporters and endorsers. Given their historical experience with the project, I feel working closely with them to best implement the updated plan will be my first step. Ensuring that the plan fits well within the infrastructure changes I plan to make as Mayor will also be an important step.
CARLISLE
I would have to see the budget before I could answer this question fully.
As mayor, how would you better integrate the bodies that manage and plan various traffic modes to streamline projects more holistically? How would the current bike and pedestrian advisory board fit into your governance?
WALTON
Consulting the wealth of transportation and equitable mobility experts that lead organizations such as GoBike, CEJ Buffalo and the like is the best first step.
CARLISLE
Our current model seems to be working.
Would you support the establishment of a city department of transportation separate from DPW, such as what is currently under consideration in Milwaukee? (Y/N) https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2021/09/23/council-president-proposes-new-city-department -of-transportation/
WALTON
Yes
CARLISLE
No
How should the city partner with the NFTA to improve transit service?
WALTON
A good initial step would be to review the Service Design Guidelines and Delivery Standards, and identify those who can best help improve the document and design to better Buffalo’s needs.
CARLISLE
No
NFTA has been steadily losing ridership over the past decade, and saw a sharp drop during the pandemic which it has not yet brought back. This continuing decrease in ridership threatens the viability of the system. Using the powers of the Mayor’s office, how specifically would you seek to increase public transit ridership?
WALTON
Working with NFTA needs to be part of a holistic plan for improved mobility and a more democratic City in Buffalo. Investment in the existing infrastructure is needed simultaneously with a commitment to Bus Rapid Transit or something similar.
CARLISLE
The world has changed due to the illegal and unconstitutional lockdowns. Many people will simply work remotely indefinitely now. That means less people driving and less people using the NFTA. Better overall for the environment I suppose, but terrible for human contact and interaction.
Where do you believe the most urgent gaps in our public transit system are and what steps would you take in the near term to close them?
WALTON
Lack of accessibility throughout the city can be combated by expansion and increase of bus lines and frequency. Totally covered bus shelters for winter months will improve commuter safety and ridership.
CARLISLE
The only major gap I see if with our metro line that only runs 6 miles in one direction. But there are no near term fixes for that problem.
As cities like Kansas City and Pittsburgh explore free fares or discounted fares based on income, would you consider partnering the city with NFTA to implement a similar program here?
WALTON
Yes, income scaled fare is a needed resource.
CARLISLE
Letting some people ride for free and making others pay will just create resentment. If you want people with means to also utilize the NFTA, we should explore making it free for everyone.
Do you envision working with NFTA to implement Bus Rapid Transit or similar bus prioritization infrastructure such as bus-only lanes wide-scale within the City of Buffalo by 2025? (Y/N)
WALTON
Yes.
CARLISLE
No.
If yes, what and where would you prioritize?
WALTON
Decisions about the location would need to be part of a community planning process and integrated into an overall transportation and livable streets plan.
CARLISLE
(Responded no to previous question)
Will you commit to make the City of Buffalo a NFTA Corporate Pass Partner in 2022? (Y/N) https://metro.nfta.com/programs/corporate-pass-program
WALTON
(No response given)
CARLISLE
Yes.
Will you commit to join a BTRU member and CGBT member for a ride on an NFTA bus this year? (Y/N)
WALTON
Yes.
CARLISLE
Yes.
Would you provide your office’s support to the growing effort to remove Rt-198/Scajaquada Expressway from Humboldt Parkway, Delaware Park, SUNY Buffalo State’s campus, and along the remainder of Scajaquada Creek?
WALTON
This is definitely worth consideration, I am aware of urban highways’ detriment on city life and the dangers that a high speed expressway such as 198 poses and feel this is worth pursuing after consulting with city planners.
CARLISLE
Yes.
Do you believe that Humboldt Parkway should be restored as a walkable, neighborhood greenspace?
WALTON
Yes, similarly to the above, this is a large undertaking but I feel that both green spaces and public recreation spaces are crucial to safe street initiatives.
CARLISLE
Yes.
What are the top three long-range objectives you would expect to generate from a new Humboldt Parkway?
WALTON
As seen in NYC with the high line and low line projects, these revitalization and revamp efforts create positive traffic and development at the ‘footways’, and the surrounding areas. I would hope to see similar, inclusive development as a result of a new Humboldt parkway.
CARLISLE
Better environment, increased home values, more pride in the community.
Buffalo has been identified as one of the best designed cities, as evidenced by our radial street pattern along with Olmsted’s park and parkway system. However, urban and transportation policies of the mid-century created divisions in the city and disrupted communities, specifically communities of color. How will your administration prioritize and invest in current and future planning projects, in order to repair and empower our neighborhoods and communities?
WALTON
I hope to inform my policy in this regard through the engagement of experts, including UB Urban Development researchers, individuals who work within city planning both in Buffalo and in similar Rust Belt cities as well as non-profits that champion equitable development. I feel that study of the city’s composition – finding the WHY of the city’s construction – is the best way to understand how we can better revitalize and restructure our infrastructure for a modern Buffalo and its citizens.
CARLISLE
The damage Robert Moses wreaked on Buffalo and other cities throughout New York will be lasting and I’m not sure it can be undone completely.
Do you support Transit-Oriented Development, and, if so, how would you incentivize developers to build housing along current bus routes that is affordable to residents earning the median income of the City of Buffalo or less, who are often those who rely upon public transit the most, and how would your policies prevent displacement of existing residents?
WALTON
Yes, we need to work to see that housing and transportation are part of an integrated approach to urban planning. We can’t continue to just give out tax breaks and other incentives to developers without considering all aspects of how these projects impact community life and relate to the high rates of poverty and inequality that has characterized Buffalo for years. We have to do a thorough review of all the resources and potential resources available to the City and then plan accordingly working closely with our partners in the community. An ad hoc project by project based approach is just not adequate. Urban planning shouldn’t be only about deal making where wealthy interests are the only ones with a seat at the table.
CARLISLE
I don’t feel that this is an appropriate forum to discuss gentrification issues.
We face a shortage of public and school bus drivers. As mayor, how would you work with school districts to encourage more walking and biking to school, and encourage more city residents to pursue these careers?
WALTON
Expansion and increased funding to support programming like GoBike’s initiative to provide local students with bikes and the knowledge to fix them as well as potentially pursuing a city contract for bussing for BPS will help to combat these issues.
CARLISLE
People don’t want to be forcibly masked and vaccinated. The shortage wouldn’t be so bad if we allowed humans to make their own decisions about their health. I’d love to see more kids riding and walking to school. Not sure Democrats would ever allow that to happen.
Because of climate change, we will need to make changes to our transportation mode use as well as to the vehicles we use, shifting from combustion engines to electric power and automated vehicles. How would you, as mayor, help ensure a Just Transition for those whose jobs may become obsolete in the coming decade?
WALTON
I hope to ensure that any jobs made obsolete or new technology introduced is not only funded and integrated appropriately but that new work opportunities come with training programs for those whose jobs are being replaced, so that they are not displaced.
CARLISLE
I don’t accept this premise. Using an electric car is no better than using a gas powered car. We destroy the environment to obtain lithium for the batteries for electric cars and we burn coal to power the electric cars. I see no benefit to using electric cars over gas cars. I think the solution is to have people walk and bicycle more. If the economy changes with green initiatives, there is little the mayor of Buffalo will be able to do about it.
There has been a great deal of talk about Automated Vehicles made in recent years by city officials and by GBNRTC – what steps do you plan to take to regulate AV use within the city to ensure that pedestrians, transit riders and cyclists receive priority use of the street?
WALTON
I believe that creating strong transportation and mobility infrastructure before integrating new, cutting edge technology can act as pre-emptive and preventative care for these concerns.
CARLISLE
As mayor I will fight to outlaw Automated Vehicles in Buffalo. I see it as a safety hazard and a job killer.
How would you make shared mobility options such as Reddy Bike more accessible and affordable to marginalized communities within the City of Buffalo?
WALTON
Increasing funding or access to grant resources for this kind of programming to expand throughout the city is a top priority. Collaborating with the organizations that facilitate these programs to obtain these resources is priority!
CARLISLE
If Reddy Bike wants to give out bikes for free, more power to them.
Would you support the establishment of an ATV park on the East Side of Buffalo? (Y/N)
WALTON
Yes
CARLISLE
Yes
How would you work with and better support non-profit advocacy community organizations that focus on transportation and mobility justice, particularly those led and centering black and brown folk?
WALTON
I want to be a Mayor who’s City Hall is open to everyone and where not only the wealthy get a seat at the table. As my biography makes clear, I have been part of the non-profit advocacy community and think non-profit advocacy community organizations have an essential role to play in shaping our city. I would work with them with respect and collaboratively.
CARLISLE
I will have an open door policy to discuss these issue and to make sure they don’t get pushed to the back burner.
Would you support designating a landmark in the city and/or naming a bill to memorialize Cynthia Wiggins, a black woman who lived in Buffalo who was killed in 1995 during her commute on NFTA when she was forced to cross a 7-lane highway to reach her job at the Walden Galleria Mall? (Y/N)
WALTON
Yes
CARLISLE
Yes
Finally, our members care about active mobility (ie, walking, cycling and public transit). What do you think the positive outcomes of enhancing access to active mobility can be for our community? Why should our members vote for you?
WALTON
A vote for India is a vote for a more equitable, SAFE and healthy Buffalo that works for all. My platform champions these values and I believe that uplifting organizations and individuals who value them is crucial to positive change and the upward trajectory of our city.
CARLISLE
The main benefit is to the environment, which is the biggest issue for me. The more we encourage mass transit, walking, and biking, the less cars we will have on the road. Your members should vote for me because I put my money were my mouth is on these issues. As stated, I walk to work everyday. As mayor, I will walk to City Hall everyday. No one will ever doubt my commitment to making our streets safer for everyone.