2025 HONOREES

ERIC SCHWARTZ

As a trustee of The Common Sense Fund, Eric Schwartz and his family—and before that his father—have been steadfast visionaries, committed to supporting the fight for congestion pricing in NYC, not only to assist the city in achieving a more equitable and sustainable place for New Yorkers, but also as a model for other cities across the United States.

After earning a degree in architecture and years serving as a managing partner of a second-generation family real estate development business, Eric co-founded PILOT Real Estate Group in 2008.

For Riders Alliance, Eric’s belief and personal activism helped propel the congestion pricing campaign forward through many stops and starts and twists and turns, offering not just resources, but resolve to deliver on the promise of this transformative policy. Now, with the program in place, we know he is excited to support the next chapter: building on this hard-won progress and ensuring its long-term success.

EARTHJUSTICE

Earthjustice is a nonprofit law organization that has been fighting for public health, clean energy, and climate justice since 1971. As lawyers for the Earth, their team of top-notch legal experts has saved irreplaceable wildlands, cleaned up the air we breathe, and fueled the rise of 100% clean energy. They have protected countless species on the brink of extinction, and secured long-overdue, historic limits on our nation’s worst polluting industries.

And in the fight for transit justice, Earthjustice became lawyers for riders, too—representing Riders Alliance in our first-ever lawsuit. When congestion pricing was abruptly paused last summer, Earthjustice took our case to court. When the Trump Administration later tried to cancel the successful program for political gain, Earthjustice stepped up again.

In every instance, they have been a principled, powerful partner—defending not just the planet, but the people who rely on transit and the green future we’re fighting for together.

FLATBUSH FIGHTERS

After years of delay on long-promised bus improvements, riders came together to get Flatbush Avenue moving. They held community meetings, met with local businesses, talked with thousands of riders at bus stops and on buses, and launched the #FastbusAvenue campaign to demand action. And they succeeded!

Thanks to these dedicated Riders Alliance members, the northern section of Flatbush Avenue is being transformed with center-running bus lanes and pedestrian islands that will save riders time and worry. When the Mayor lacked the political will and priority, the Flatbush Fighters built the power––moving this project into existence and developing a model of bus rider organizing to carry across the city.