NYC Council Speaker's $1,393 Car Service: Questions of Coincidence

The Investigation

A thorough examination of public records has revealed a questionable expense in the NYC Council’s spending: a car service bill that raises significant questions about the use of public funds. After multiple unanswered requests for explanation, the matter has escalated to a formal Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request to uncover the details of this .

The Speaker’s Journey

In the Rochdale Village Shopping Center, at 165-90 Baisley Boulevard, sits the district office of NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. As the second-most powerful elected official in New York City, Speaker Adams leads the city’s legislative body. However, the focus here is not on her policies, but on a car service bill that has attracted attention.

A State of the City Expense

On March 13, 2024, Speaker Adams delivered her State of the City address at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. While the speech outlined her vision for New York’s future, it’s the transportation expense that followed – $1,393.06 for a round-trip car service – that raises questions about Council spending. Is it all a coincidence that her office happens to be in Rochdale and she happened to give a speech at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, of all possible venues in the city?

Seven Words, $1,393

Nine days after the speech, a payment appeared in the city’s checkbook: $1,393.06 to Big Apple Car Inc. The official description was remarkably sparse: “PICK UP AND RETURN: FROM ROCHDALE QUEENS TO BAM” – seven words to explain nearly fourteen hundred taxpayer dollars.

The Speaker’s Transportation

As City Council Speaker, Adams holds one of the most significant positions in city government. This makes the simplicity of the car service description even more striking. “PICK UP AND RETURN: FROM ROCHDALE QUEENS TO BAM” – the same seven-word description that might appear on any routine car service bill. No additional detail explains why the Council Speaker’s round trip commanded a premium of nearly $1,400.

Breaking Down the Numbers

Let’s put this 22-mile round trip in perspective:

A yellow cab would charge around $160-200 round trip
An Uber or Lyft might run $200-250 during peak hours
The subway costs $6.10 round trip
A private car service typically charges $80-150 per hour

Yet somehow, this particular journey – which happened to connect a shopping center in Queens to a theater in Brooklyn and back – coincidentally cost $1,393.06, nearly seven times the standard rate.

The Route Everyone Knows

Ask any New Yorker about getting from Rochdale Village to BAM. They’ll tell you it’s not a complicated journey. The roads are well-traveled. The route is straightforward. Traffic might be heavy, but it’s nothing unusual for New York City. Coincidentally, this everyday route became the subject of one of the Council’s most expensive car service bills, making the cost all the more puzzling.

Questions That Need Answers

This is why a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request has been filed. The public deserves to know:

What time was the pickup from 165-90 Baisley Boulevard?
How long did the vehicle wait at BAM?
What time was the return trip completed?
Were there any stops between these two points?
How many vehicles were involved?
What hourly rate was charged?
What criteria led to BAM’s selection as the venue?
Were other venues considered before this route was established?

A Matter of Public Money

In a city where many residents carefully budget their monthly MetroCard purchases, where every dollar counts, this expense stands out. The contrast is stark:

A monthly unlimited MetroCard: $127
This single round trip: $1,393.06
Cost per mile: Approximately $63

The Speaker’s Responsibility

As leader of the City Council, Speaker Adams holds a unique position of public trust. The Council serves as a watchdog over city spending, reviewing and approving the city’s budget. That’s why this car service expense is particularly noteworthy – it comes from the very office charged with oversight of public funds.

Beyond the Bottom Line

This isn’t just about money. It’s about transparency in how public officials, particularly those in leadership positions, use public resources. When the Council Speaker’s car service between two well-known points costs more than many New Yorkers’ weekly paychecks, it deserves scrutiny.

Following the Rules

Questions naturally arise about the protocols and policies in place:

Are there guidelines for Council leadership transportation expenses?
Who reviews and approves these costs?
Is there a standard rate structure for official transportation?
What oversight exists for these expenditures?
What process determines venue selection for official addresses?

The Public’s Right to Know

The Freedom of Information request seeks to understand not just the details of this specific trip but also the broader context of how transportation decisions are made and approved for Council leadership. As stewards of public funds, the Council – and particularly its Speaker – should be able to explain such expenses.

A Simple Trip, Complex Questions

From the Speaker’s office in Rochdale Village Shopping Center to BAM is 11 miles. The return trip makes it 22. In a city where countless residents make similar journeys daily for a fraction of the cost, the public deserves to understand why their Council Speaker’s trip warranted such an extraordinary expense. Is it all a coincidence?

A Matter of Public Trust

The position of City Council Speaker carries significant responsibilities. Among these is the duty to be a careful steward of public funds. When a simple round-trip car service for the Speaker costs $1,393.06 – more than many New Yorkers spend on transportation in months – it deserves explanation.

The Question Remains

From the Speaker’s district office in the Rochdale Village Shopping Center to the Brooklyn Academy of Music is 11 miles. The return trip makes it 22. As Council Speaker, Adrienne Adams leads the very body responsible for oversight of city spending. Perhaps that’s why this particular expense – $1,393.06 for what’s described as nothing more than a pickup and return – demands transparency.

The streets between Rochdale Village Shopping Center and BAM are the same ones New Yorkers travel every day. The only question is why the Council Speaker’s journey on this particular day warranted such an extraordinary expense. Is it all just a remarkable series of coincidences?