Extra, Extra
Extra, Extra
Extra, Extra
Extra, Extra
Early Addition
Yesterday, the federal government approved $354 Million for New York City to spend towards its congestion pricing plan. As details of the funding come out, we learn that the money doesn't come without a catch. Most of the funds that the Department of Transportation agreed to give the city yesterday are for mass transit improvements, like the construction of bus depots. It left the city to come up with the estimated $223 million to actually install the system that monitors traffic and charges vehicles entering the congestion zone. Mayor Bloomberg asked the federal government to fund $179 million for technology, but they approved a mere $10 million for it.
While the city gets $1.6 million of the funds immediately for planning and development, the bulk of funding is contingent on approval by city and state officials by March. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters said, "If the city does not have the legal authority to move forward at that time, it will not receive the money." The Post also has a nice graphic of how the $354 million is allocated. Of course Bloomberg was not discouraged by the way the funds are designated, "I think that rather than look at the money we didn’t get, we should look at the money we did get. It’s a unique opportunity for New York, and we should really say, thank you."
Mayor Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan for NYC appeared stalled until Bloomberg and the state legislature agreed to a commission to traffic reduction in NYC. Bloomberg's orginal plan called for an $8 fee for vehicles and $21 for trucks entering Manhattan below 86th St.
Photo of a traffic control box by MurphyZero on flickr
add to digg
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
email this
add to facebook
add to del.icio.us
The problem with the whole thing is Shelly Silver is looking at a way to muck the whole thing up, which of course gives him more points in the race for as poster child for very strict term limits.
What about funding to improve the subway system in addition to buses? If Bloomberg gets his wish and there are eventually fewer people driving into the city, the subways are going to have to handle part of the load, and per the Post's graphic the money that's going into public transit is mainly for improvements to the bus system.
I'm interested to see who will this impact the most:
The high income segment of drivers probably welcomes the idea of less traffic and the extra $160(pretax money) won't make too much difference when you're paying $500/mo for a parking spot.
The lower income people are either gonna be pissed and start taking the subway or just eat it because they have no choice. I do believe that most people commute to Manhattan because they have no choice, as public transit outside of the island isn't that great.
I doubt that it will significantly reduct traffic anyway, just because I can't imagine anyone driving to the city because it's less painful than taking the train. I've done it only once and it was a 2hr endeavour (sitting in traffic 90% of the time) where as my PATH commute is 25 mins door to door.
HOLY crap, the mayor wants HALF of the funds to go into TECHNOLOGY???? what did I tell you, more free money for the card readers, license plate scanners, hidden cameras, databases and Info tech cronies.
the database will also be linked to the Gun database. his other pet peeve.
Too bad congestion won't be lessened in one place where it could be done without charging anyone: Prospect Park.
Marty Markowitz personally blocked an effort to extend car-free hours in Prospect Park while a similar extension was recently implemented in Central Park.
Streetsblog has the story:
http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/15/car-free-hours-in-prospect-park-fuhgeddaboutit/#comment-35518
Economic segregation in 5..4...3...2..
Um, cars are allowed in Prospect Park for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening? Is this such a problem? If so why? I can only guess because it interferes with the times you want to use the park.
Basically, being a bike rider who uses the streets surrounding teh park, the less traffic there is outside the park, especially if it's to be filled with agrivated drivers, is better for me, so keep those cars in the park, I have no problem with it for four hours a day, five days a week.
As for congestion pricing, I think that trucks should not be charged and that cars should be charged $20+ a day, more if they are single-occupancy vehicles.
Great ass in the pic...
If you're a true ebony connoiseur (sic) like myself, you would not be all that impressed. However, I'd hit that anyways. BTW Tien - are you an aficionado too..?
I love that RC criticizes the poster for essentially being selfish ("I can only guess because it interferes with the times you want to use the park.") but then goes on to say that the more cars that stay in the park, the better it is for him since he rides outside of the park.
Hypocrisy, they name is Reality Czech. Regardless of how one feels about cars in the park, his comment is almost too funny to be believed.
I'm sure all the kids who would like a quiet and safe park are sure happy that you have a clear ride down Prospect Park West, Eastern Parkway, or wherever it is that you ride.
where is the money to improve the subway and the two commuter railroads!?
That's right, I did that on purpose, guest.
Best thing ever: the [hide guest comments] button!
There is no valid reason for automobiles to be in Parks except for police, medical etc.
There once was a time when people did not drive like assholes, when people did not put their convenience ahead of what is better for the city. There was a time when an automobile was a luxury, now every moron has one and they feel it is their God given right to be able to drive into NYC anytime they want and don't you dare raise gasoline prices because it is their God given right to have cheap gas as well.
I have no problem with cars in Prospect Park but I'd like to see an police vehicle or two in there at the same time enforcing the traffic laws and speed limit while the cars are in their. As it is, there are many red lights run through and people drive like they are in a race.
These idiots think throwing more money at the problem will fix it. Make them fix it with what they got! Stop throwing money at them, they'll just get fatter and lazier.
RC is right; it's like Grand Theft Auto out there. And enough with the horn blowing. Aren't you so over it by now? If you drive in the city a lot and you STILL get so upset that you honk at everything, you need stress therapy.
wow. That's alot of money to put up jersey barriers and reduce the amount of car lanes (which is all that it would take to reduce the amount of cars).
scam.
where's the money from the cigarette tax?
Upon further reflection, I am hoping that NJ Transit gets some funding out of the whole thing if it ever happens, since there are a great many who come in from New Jersey via train, bus, ferry and PATH. The North River tunnels into Penn Station are basically at capacity now and the congestion pricing will most likely be an upsurge in NJ Transit commuters. I do know NJ Transit is getting double decker train cars, similar to what the LIRR has, but I don't know how much help they can be. It also gets me to wonder why Metro-North doesn't also employ double decker train cars, since it would boost capacity there, too.
The New Haven line isn't able to support double decker cars because of the catenary overhead lines.
I wonder if double decker cars will be able be make clearance for the park avenue tunnel.
It's too bad our genius politicians can't come up with a way to reduce traffic that doesn't discriminate against the poor and middle class.
Let's put it this way: Mike Bloomberg will never be affected by congestion pricing.
Mike Bloomberg will never be affected by subway fares, sales tax, cab surcharges, gas prices, milk prices, etc. Does that mean that such prices, taxes, and charges discriminate against the poor?
The rich will ALWAYS be able to get around most things that the rest of us have to deal with all the time. But that's not much of an argument against policy.
Bloomberg thinks its so wonderful to have the majority of these toll fees go to keeping up the infrastructure and bureaucracy of the system, yeah great idea more gov't waste. It's also great the we'll have to pay over 200M in our tax dollars upfront just for the privilege of taxing ourselves some more! Now wouldn't it just make sense to put that 200M in tax dollars toward mass transit now and scrap the whole congestion BS? Bloomberg is a mess. Just like in the past (bridge tolls etc) very little will go to mass transit and instead go to growing gov't wastefulness. I was kind of for this plan at first, but now I am dead set against it and I dont even own a car.
Actually the New Haven Line would be able to support double decker cars, as the NJ Transit and LIRR cars have to deal with catenary wires and the height of the North River and East River tunnels which I think are smaller than the Park Avenue tunnel. So they could most likely fit with little or no modification.
Also, the New Haven Line could in theory run trains into Penn Station and you could add a few new stops in the Bronx and maybe even Queens, which would increase the transit access there in the city and for reverse commuters. A simple way of doing it would be to extend NJ Transit trains to run on the New Haven Line out of Penn Station via the Hell Gate. NJ Transit provides service for Metro-North to New York points on their side of the Hudson, so it isn't as if it would be a radical new thing. It would also increase regional connectivity, too.
Last time I checked, gas prices were set on the open market. But when you put a financial barrier on using the city streets, then yes, you're discriminating against those who can't afford to pay. The whole point of this plan is to weed out the middle class from driving and relegate them to the buses and subways. Too bad there can't be a plan that affects everyone equally.
90% of the cars I see coming into Manhattan every morning across the GWB are single occupancy. At a minimum the rush hour bridge toll should be tripled!
I have my doubts here, I just don't see this helping the City in any way . I think it's going to hamper Businesses ability to function in the City . Which of coarse will open the door for New Jersey to swoop in and gobble-up those businesses that can't meet the City's Ransom ! It's like trying to fix a busted water-pipe with Scotch tape, It's not going to work ! Posted by; "Still Not Amused"