March 30, 2008
Map of the Day: Planned Transit Improvements
The Regional Planning Association released a map of what service and capital improvements tri-state riders can expect, even in the absence of approval for a congestion pricing plan. NYC Transit riders have a lot to be unhappy about following a fare hike, followed by the announcement that promised service improvements were off the table, followed by the prospect of yet another fare hike and even more service cuts. If Mayor Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan doesn't pass, it's uncertain how the MTA will be able to afford major capital improvements to the system, although a $1.5 billion windfall from the sale of the Hudson Yards should help.
One of the promised improvements--pre-congestion pricing approval--is the completion of phase 1 one of the 2nd Ave. Subway and the beginning of phase 2. Skepticism will be forgiven if some expect this will be the first capital spending plan item to reach the chopping block in a budget crisis, simply using history as a guide. The map is a helpful guide as to what transit riders can expect over the next five years. By 2013, it may serve as a useful report card on regional transit's ability to accomplish its goals.
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We'll be lucky if phase 1 of the 2nd Ave. subway line gets completed.
Here we go again. Big plans that will never get built, or PERHAPS bits and pieces will emerge, 20 years hence.
www.forgotten-ny.com
Notice how there's still no new track in the works. The subway system has essentially been the same since 1945, excluding the cars.
And the 2nd Avenue subway doesn't count, 'cause that's been on the books forever.
When will the city have a subway system for commercial use?
Doesn't anyone see the privacy implications? Doesn't anyone see that the government will be able to type your plate into a computer, no warrant, and know where you are at all times? Total media blackout on this issue.
The "government" doesn't care where you are in Manhattan...
Unless you're illegally parked.
Man, put away the kool-aid.
You can't say no new subway tracks since 1945. Elevated tracks were torn down and replaced in Manhattan and Jamaica. Roosevelt Island has a subway and don't forget Staten Island's Rapid Transit, JFK's trains, ect. But I would say it's not really that much in over 60 years.
#8
I didn't say nothing new since 1945, but essentially nothing new. In these 60 years we could have had some nice heavy rail lines that could handle the traffic the subway just cant handle.
Watch phase one of the 2nd ave subway be done while the rest of it sits doing nothing.
You people don't need anymore transit. Give it to Chicago and LA - the two places who actually need more heavy rail.
Does anyone know what the MTA pulls in per year? I'm really curious. Like, it seems like they must pull in mountains of money for all the ads in trains and in the stations and such.
Is it just horrifically inefficient? Is it pensions? Where does all the money go? Or should we not ask that question?
is this real? the MTA was just griping about cutting services to save money???
#11
Oh, you guys need it too. America's cities are in dangerous need of new rail to offset all the fat fucks driving around with nothing more than a briefcase in the backseat.
#12
We should be asking that question--the media is too scared to say anything, because A: they care only about ratings B: staying on a somewhat good side with government.
I love it that NYC keeps on letting humungo buildings be built yet does nothing to improve the subways. I am glad I have moved farther out from the city where I either get a seat or at least stand in the middle and not by the doors where everyone is crammed in like a bunch of sardines.
The MTA is a bunch of liars from the saying, "There is congestion ahead" to promising major work and never delivering.
Please post the salaries of these fuggers.
what happened the G train improvements? I thought an increase of cars and the extension of the line to Fort Hamilton or Church St. was in store?
i've already said this in other posts, but i blame the lack of transit improvements (not just for the mta, but everywhere) on the federal government's distribution of transportation funding dollars, which HEAVILY favors autos and highways. agencies like the mta are forced to work with insufficient funds and resources as a result.
and the outlook is grim: more and more luxury buildings, more and more people. you can barely step foot inside the 4/5 during rush hour as it is!
The Regional Plan Association is good at producing recommendations.
But they suck at producing results.
In that regard, reading RPA Plans is a bit like chatting with loony Marxoids at demonstrations. They know how everything should be, they have a coherent plan for getting to that point and at the end of the day, when all is said and done, they have no power to achieve the goals they've outlined.
. . . which is to say, their plans are fun to talk about and they stir the transit-geek imagination but they're more than a bit disappointing if your focus is on what will actually happen in the next few years.