Free Metrocards - For Drivers!

If you drive into the city from Queens or Long Island, it might be worth your while to stop by Shea Stadium today between 10AM and 2PM. Why? Because the NYC Department of Transportation is trying to relieve holiday gridlock by giving 350 $4 Metrocards to commuters who park at Shea and will use mass transit today, next Wednesday (December 27) and January 3. This is supposed to be part of the DOT's holiday traffic mitigation plan, but the one flaw we see is that commuters would probably be at their Midtown work while the Metrocards are being given away. And why not offer some promotion with other mass transit systems, like the LIRR or NJ Transit? But who is anyone to complain, as the cards were donated by the International Gemological Institute.

Why are these days so congested? Due to "matinees and other activities associated with the holidays," according to the DOT. (Other traffic mitigation solutions: opening up parks to traffic!) But don't worry, tomorrow and Friday will be holiday gridlock days, too. And you'll find DOT employees giving out free Metrocards at the Roosevelt Avenue entrance (between 114th and 126th Streets) to the parking lot.

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By Jen Chung in News on December 20, 2006 10:32 AM

Comments [rss]

so there

bk: I agree. this way the rest of us won't have to cover their asses when they have to bring the kids to the doctor, can't get in due to the weather, or "work from home."

Sometimes it seems that NYC is stuck in the stone ages when it comes to progressive land use and transportation policy.

nobod, despite being the greatest city in the world, NYC is ass-backwards in strange ways...look at the post offices, for example.

bk

too many synergies!

how about the suburbanites find work where they live and stay out of the city!

Bofug

Hey, how 'bout a quick & easy congestion/parking solution?

Now 'bout all the suburban (LI-Living) cops, firefighters, teachers, city bean-counters & hacks have their personal vehicle plaques pulled & let 'em leave them in Hicksville. Give em a Metrocard to get to work. So many areas clogged with (often illegally parked) suburban SUV's no parking for residents. (I don't have a car).

Make all of these building variances & perks contingent upon providing parking &/or alternative transport restrictions. Monitor & enforce them!!!

Create a usable NYC traffic/parking program.

Bofug

joe

I do Christmas shoppping on my bike every year.

Tom

Yeah, the hour ride in from Shea will certainly make people not bother driving.

And Christmas shopping on a bike would be a little difficult, don't you think?

Kojak

Everyone should ditch their cars and buy a Vespa.

Problem solved. You may now award me the Nobel Peace Prize.

bk

with less people riding the trains and busses for that last mile, it may attract higher ridership for the people in the burbs due to less congestion. either way, it's better for those who can ride to work if given the option to.

bolt cutter- we'll only lock up our beater bikes :)

Steven

why not give out a $10 Metrocard?

bolt cutter

the city will have less cars to deal with if there were adequate bike parking in the city.

and about 10,000 fewer bike thieves.

dude

bk - While I agree that there should be more parking for bikes and bike lanes, I doubt it would have much effect on the number of cars. Most of the cars of commuters come from LI or NJ or upstate, and they wouldn't commute by bike anyway.

Better bike lanes and parking would probably just ease subway and bus congestion from people who are already in Manhattan or close to work in Brooklyn or Queens.

bk

there would be fewer cars for the city to deal with if there were adequate bike lanes and parking for bikes.

bk

the city will have less cars to deal with if there were adequate bike parking in the city.

dude

So let me understand... instead of collecting a congestion/commuter tax from people of possibly $4, we're GIVING them $4?? How about everyone else who doesn't own a car?

On top of which, I think for the city to reopen Central Park simply because it feels like it is a bad idea. They claim it's to relieve traffic, but in the near future when everyday traffic gets even worse, they could do open it again... bad precedent.

nobod

If a few hundred free MetroCards and opening Central Park back open to car traffic (which will actually worsen congestion) is DoT's idea of a "traffic mitigation plan", we are seriously in trouble.

Sometimes it seems that NYC is stuck in the stone ages when it comes to progressive land use and transportation policy.