The Summer in subway hell

About Gene Russianoff

Gene Russianoff is chief spokesman for the Straphangers Campaign, a New York City-based public transport advocacy group that focuses primarily on subway and bus services run by New York City Transit. Gene Russianoff has agitated for subway commuters since about 1980. Since 2002, Russianoff has promoted a coalition bus rapid transit for New York City. He successfully lobbied for the Select Bus Service which gives buses priority, resulting in greater speeds and reliability at much lower cost than new subway lines. As a government reformer in 1988, he lobbied successfully in coalition for New York City’s campaign finance law, now a model for Campaign Finance in the United States. Over two decades, Russianoff helped win major improvements in the law. For example, the law now provides greater incentives for city candidates to seek small contributions from city residents; and also limits contributions from individuals doing business with city government. Currently, he co-chairs the NYC Transparency Working Group.