Paul Krugman On Pedestrian-Friendly Times Square

"As far as I know, nobody goes to that part of Manhattan anyway — it’s too crowded."

I'm kind of surprised how many people don't get the reference. If you do, you realize he is joking.

Well, obviously people hate TS based on responses? Most New Yorkers, who live in the city don't normally drive, thus I doubt most residents will be highly inconvenienced. Though I have also heard that the redirection of traffic will improve flow of traffic. In general driving in New York City can be hectic (I drive often so I know), but I doubt this will impact it negatively in anyway. There is no doubt that tourists will benefit from having more walking space, and so forth...however, not only tourists and rich "fuchs" enjoy TS. I live in the city, and don't work in the area, and we go to the theater often and like going to little restaurants located in the nearby Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, and my kids love the huge Toys R Us there, and my son loves the various music supply stores in the area. It's nice to walk around and just take in this area once in awhile. It's sad to hear that people who live here consider this a shit hole. I saw it when it was a shit hole, back in the day it is NOTHING like what it used to be. Yes, it's crowded, and can be nutty, though I have also noticed that since this change TS has actually become a more pleasant place to visit. And as a New Yorker who loves everything her city has to offer, it's nice to be able to have more freedom and space in a place once terribly congested and crowded. It might help to let go of the hate towards the city to really be to appreciate this awesome change. As for the Noble Prize winner...his statement demonstrates he has no idea what he is talking about and obviously is disconnected with the many NYers who enjoy visiting TS everyday.

This is a good thing for all of us. If you don't get that, you're lost.

Thank you. If you don't like Times Square, don't live there, don't work there, and generally avoid the place, then fine - this will have no impact on your life except that it's good for tourism and that generates revenue for the city. If you do live, work or visit there, or generally like the place, well now there's more room to walk through, or to stop and enjoy it. And supposedly it will be faster to drive through too. I don't really see what there is to complain about.

It is/was very crowded there on the sidewalks. Now some space has opened up. But here is my prediction: that space will quickly fill up and it will still be impossible to walk around the family of 5 double-wides, wearing fanny packs, carrying big gulps, and staring up at the pretty colors, except now it will be impossible in the middle of the frickin' street.

bring back the hookers! legalize it! everybody wang chung!

it'll be hard for people to make it to Penn Station from the upper west side (by car/bus/taxi)

Are you out of your mind? To get to Penn St. from the UWS by car/taxi, you take the West Side Hwy or West End/11th Ave, cut across on 30th and come up on 8th. Going down Broadway to 7th ave through Times Square, which is the route that you must be implying, is sheer insanity. You must be from a flyover state.

Sure and just how many cabs have you been in from the UWS that has taken that route????

I might have been in 1 in my 10 years in this city... EVERY other time I sit and wait for the meter to hit 12$ before I get to where I said I needed to go... but I'd say 90% of the cabbies will be lost without this traffic hub.

"how many cabs have you been in from the UWS that has taken that route?"

Uh, all of them. You know why? Because I tell them how to go. The rest of your statement makes absolutely no sense.

The cabbies will learn. It's called change. People adapt when they use their brains.

Are you ever not a complete a-hole?

If logic and intelligence are the defining characteristics of an "a-hole" in your twisted, dark, pathetic world, then yes.

I was referring to this gem: You must be from a flyover state.

Not surprised you didn't get it. Your problem is that when even you do apply "logic and intelligence" you're still a jerk. And I bet you still don't get it.

I do get that you are an idiot.

So you are confirming that you are always an asshole. Thanks.

Definitely not for the natives.

itz goiwna make it hawda fo de truckin

"As far as I know, nobody goes to that part of Manhattan anyway — it’s too crowded."

Wow, you have to wonder how a nobel prize winner can pose and answer his own question with one sentence.



Anyway, obviously it's for the tourists.

It's not just for the tourists. A lot of people work in and around times square. I've worked in Times Sq and it always was a nightmare. And if you drive in the city anywhere near Times Sq., this will be beneficial too, as it rationalizes the flow of traffic.

In general, it's for the tourists. They didn't aim to do it for the poor schleps that work in the area, the focus was the tourists.

People that work near the shithole just happen to gain from it as well

Who's it for? Tourists and rich fuchs. Who else?

Q: What's a rich fuch?

A: A well to do fox.