Comments on: Preparing the subways for a congestion fee era http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/06/08/preparing-the-subways-for-a-congestion-fee-era/ A New York City Subway Blog Tue, 22 May 2012 20:28:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Fate of NYC public transportation could be decided today « Second Ave. Sagas | Blogging the NYC Subways http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/06/08/preparing-the-subways-for-a-congestion-fee-era/#comment-657 Fate of NYC public transportation could be decided today « Second Ave. Sagas | Blogging the NYC Subways Tue, 04 Sep 2007 05:35:39 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/06/08/preparing-the-subways-for-a-congestion-fee-era/#comment-657 [...] For the last week, I’ve been silent on the issue of the congestion fee, but over the last few months, I’ve been an outspoken advocate of the congestion fee plan. Any plan that reduces traffic in New York City while finding money for our cash-strapped public transportation system will get my blessing. [...] [...] For the last week, I’ve been silent on the issue of the congestion fee, but over the last few months, I’ve been an outspoken advocate of the congestion fee plan. Any plan that reduces traffic in New York City while finding money for our cash-strapped public transportation system will get my blessing. [...]

]]> By: Brooklyn riders want some ‘F’-ing express service « Second Ave. Sagas | Blogging the NYC Subways http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/06/08/preparing-the-subways-for-a-congestion-fee-era/#comment-666 Brooklyn riders want some ‘F’-ing express service « Second Ave. Sagas | Blogging the NYC Subways Wed, 13 Jun 2007 15:41:05 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/06/08/preparing-the-subways-for-a-congestion-fee-era/#comment-666 [...] believes that if, as I do, the congestion fee will increase subway ridership, crowded lines such as the F will become even more packed with commuters. The MTA should therefore [...] [...] believes that if, as I do, the congestion fee will increase subway ridership, crowded lines such as the F will become even more packed with commuters. The MTA should therefore [...]

]]> By: ABG http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/06/08/preparing-the-subways-for-a-congestion-fee-era/#comment-659 ABG Sat, 09 Jun 2007 01:09:25 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/06/08/preparing-the-subways-for-a-congestion-fee-era/#comment-659 Here is the PlaNYC2030 document showing what they propose to spend the money on - be warned that it's a 166 page, 25 megabyte PDF file: http://www.nyc.gov/html/planyc2030/downloads/pdf/tech_report_transportation.pdf Here is the PlaNYC2030 document showing what they propose to spend the money on – be warned that it’s a 166 page, 25 megabyte PDF file:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/planyc.....tation.pdf

]]> By: stepheneliot http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/06/08/preparing-the-subways-for-a-congestion-fee-era/#comment-658 stepheneliot Fri, 08 Jun 2007 21:12:38 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/06/08/preparing-the-subways-for-a-congestion-fee-era/#comment-658 The status quo will likely last past any timetable laid down by Mayor Bloomberg et al. and become another fine mess created by the buraucracy. My solution to you New Yorkers is that you leave the city for Los Angeles to drive on the uncongested streets of my city and share the pleasures of driving, particulary at rush hour, on the 405 freeway, or find hidden avenues to negotioate between West Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley through Bel Air shortcuts. If that doesn't work, we'll always have the pleasures of Bend, Oregon where the driving is free and easy but the food disgustedly unhealthy accompanied by cigarette smoke almost as thick as fog in the restaurnts. So Papeete, anyone? The status quo will likely last past any timetable laid down by Mayor Bloomberg et al. and become another fine mess created by the buraucracy. My solution to you New Yorkers is that you leave the city for Los Angeles to drive on the uncongested streets of my city and share the pleasures of driving, particulary at rush hour, on the 405 freeway, or find hidden avenues to negotioate between West Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley through Bel Air shortcuts. If that doesn’t work, we’ll always have the pleasures of Bend, Oregon where the driving is free and easy but the food disgustedly unhealthy accompanied by cigarette smoke almost as thick as fog in the restaurnts. So Papeete, anyone?

]]> By: wayne's world http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/06/08/preparing-the-subways-for-a-congestion-fee-era/#comment-665 wayne's world Fri, 08 Jun 2007 20:32:15 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/06/08/preparing-the-subways-for-a-congestion-fee-era/#comment-665 The burden of heavy midtown traffic has many costs attached to it--costs measured in dollars lost through delays, inability to make deliveries, etc. etc. It's time that those responsible for those costs start paying for them. the time for the congestion fee has arrived. While it can be said that it permits the rich to drive into midtown and keeps out people of lesser means, that's probably what happens for the most part currently, without a congestion plan. We need to ease the vehicular burden in midtown and it's time to do it. While we're at it, let's turn 42nd St. between Seventh and Eigth Avenues into a pedestrian mall. Cars just don't belong on that stretch of road. The burden of heavy midtown traffic has many costs attached to it–costs measured in dollars lost through delays, inability to make deliveries, etc. etc. It’s time that those responsible for those costs start paying for them. the time for the congestion fee has arrived. While it can be said that it permits the rich to drive into midtown and keeps out people of lesser means, that’s probably what happens for the most part currently, without a congestion plan. We need to ease the vehicular burden in midtown and it’s time to do it.

While we’re at it, let’s turn 42nd St. between Seventh and Eigth Avenues into a pedestrian mall. Cars just don’t belong on that stretch of road.

]]> By: Gary http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/06/08/preparing-the-subways-for-a-congestion-fee-era/#comment-664 Gary Fri, 08 Jun 2007 19:59:40 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/06/08/preparing-the-subways-for-a-congestion-fee-era/#comment-664 Ben, this is an excellent point and one I've been harping on. The subway system needs a major overhaul and capacity enhancements; it also needs expansion (SAS, 7 extension, etc). We can't sacrifice one for the other if this city is going to continue to thrive. This new funding source is a good start, but what we need to see is committed funding from the city, state, and federal government on an annual basis. Raising fares on the subway is exactly the wrong decision. It amounts to another form of regressive taxation, as well as a disincentive to what we should be seeking to accomplish: higher transit use. It's a matter of getting our priorities, and tax structures, straight. Ben, this is an excellent point and one I’ve been harping on.

The subway system needs a major overhaul and capacity enhancements; it also needs expansion (SAS, 7 extension, etc). We can’t sacrifice one for the other if this city is going to continue to thrive.

This new funding source is a good start, but what we need to see is committed funding from the city, state, and federal government on an annual basis.

Raising fares on the subway is exactly the wrong decision. It amounts to another form of regressive taxation, as well as a disincentive to what we should be seeking to accomplish: higher transit use. It’s a matter of getting our priorities, and tax structures, straight.

]]> By: eric the beehivehairdresser http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/06/08/preparing-the-subways-for-a-congestion-fee-era/#comment-663 eric the beehivehairdresser Fri, 08 Jun 2007 14:39:52 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/06/08/preparing-the-subways-for-a-congestion-fee-era/#comment-663 I'm fairly certain that the congestion pricing money will be used to pay for overpriced floor tiles that will amount to the billions of dollars that will be laid down on subway platforms that have always been easily and at a cost efficienct price had slabs of cement used for a century. The city really needs more subway lines for the rush hours of today. I can only hope that I'm completely out of this city by 2030. I’m fairly certain that the congestion pricing money will be used to pay for overpriced floor tiles that will amount to the billions of dollars that will be laid down on subway platforms that have always been easily and at a cost efficienct price had slabs of cement used for a century.

The city really needs more subway lines for the rush hours of today. I can only hope that I’m completely out of this city by 2030.

]]> By: Marsha http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/06/08/preparing-the-subways-for-a-congestion-fee-era/#comment-662 Marsha Fri, 08 Jun 2007 12:31:32 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/06/08/preparing-the-subways-for-a-congestion-fee-era/#comment-662 Harlan mentions that those affected by the congestion fee will switch to commuter rail, not subways. I disagree in part. Those using the commuter rails only get to 2 areas of Manhattan--the Penn Station area and the Grand Central Station area. Unless they work in those neighborhoods, all those commuters will still have to use the subways or buses to get to their final destinations, thus greatly increasing subway use as predicted. Harlan mentions that those affected by the congestion fee will switch to commuter rail, not subways. I disagree in part. Those using the commuter rails only get to 2 areas of Manhattan–the Penn Station area and the Grand Central Station area. Unless they work in those neighborhoods, all those commuters will still have to use the subways or buses to get to their final destinations, thus greatly increasing subway use as predicted.

]]> By: Christian http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/06/08/preparing-the-subways-for-a-congestion-fee-era/#comment-661 Christian Fri, 08 Jun 2007 12:10:36 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/06/08/preparing-the-subways-for-a-congestion-fee-era/#comment-661 Only 5% of Manhattan commuters come in by car, if even half of them switch over you won't see much of a difference on the subways. Only 5% of Manhattan commuters come in by car, if even half of them switch over you won’t see much of a difference on the subways.

]]> By: Harlan http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/06/08/preparing-the-subways-for-a-congestion-fee-era/#comment-660 Harlan Fri, 08 Jun 2007 12:08:57 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2007/06/08/preparing-the-subways-for-a-congestion-fee-era/#comment-660 But isn't the number of people who commute to Manhattan by car on the order of just a few hundred thousand? If half those people, say a hundred thousand, start using public transit (more likely commuter rail than subway), it'll barely be a blip on the million+ people who come into the city every day. But isn’t the number of people who commute to Manhattan by car on the order of just a few hundred thousand? If half those people, say a hundred thousand, start using public transit (more likely commuter rail than subway), it’ll barely be a blip on the million+ people who come into the city every day.

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