Results tagged “publictransit”

Back in March we learned about just how many people don't stand up for people with disabilities while riding public transit. At the time, NYC Transit's Paul Fleuranges told us about a new campaign coming up, and now CityRoom points out that it's launched. With a firmer tone than the ads have had in the past, the new posters remind straphangers that not all disabilities are visible, and declare that giving up one's seat is "not only polite, it’s the law." Fleuranges commented that "It's the first time we've really stressed this," and warned that those who won't give up their seat on request will face up to a $50 fine. But with robotic trains, a slimmed down staff, and no one on hand to even gauge the effectiveness of the campaign, how will it even be enforced on subways?

The Atlantic is asking if today's McMansions are tomorrow's tenements in an article titled The Next Slum. It seems suburban developments nationwide are seeing the same problems the city streets are: druggies, homeless, grafitti, gang activity, broken windows, stray bullets, and even in Pleasantville copper wire is a commodity.

The following post is from our advertiser, Campaign for New York's Future.

Dunh dunh DUNH! Governor Spitzer has announced that he is asking the MTA to hold off raising subway and bus fares! Spitzer, who has been smarting from widely hated policy proposals and low approval ratings, made a pre-Thanksgiving bid to show he's listening to his public and said, during a specially planned 9AM press conference, via CityRoom: As the M.T.A. budget forecasts, their balance sheets yielded another $220 million. Based on the current economic...

MUSIC: It's CMJ, check out one of the zillions of bands playing. Since trying to pick just one show is tough, we'll suggest one for you. Head over to Brooklyn tonight for Dirty on Purpose, A Place to Bury Strangers, Sisters, Coin Under Tongue and Indian Scout. They'll be taking the stage at Death by Audio.

Brooklyn Assemblyman Felix Ortiz (D, 51st District) wants to ban alcohol ads on buses and subways. The ads provide just $3 to $5 million of the $100 million in revenue the Metropolitan Transportation Authority gets from ad sales and the MTA has not taken a position on the proposed legislation. The state’s Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services did express support for the legislation calling it "consistent with our strategy of preventing alcoholism across the state."

Londonist are starting to think their city is getting just a little bit too expensive, when even Christian Slater can't afford to go out there. And there's no escaping, as local singer Lily Allen discovered when she was barred entry to the US. The British mapping agency caused further bad karma, by blocking a 3-D representation of London in Google Earth. But the smiles returned to Londonist's faces as they interviewed Baroness von Reichardt, who has completely covered her house in mosaic tiles.

Happy Father's Day! For those of you who have dads, are dads, or know dads, this one's for you, from all of us at the Gothamist network."

MTA Chairman Peter S. Kalikow announced that he is stepping down from his position as chairman of the MTA. Kalikow, who was appointed by then Governor George Pataki back in 2001, was reappointed to a 6-year term last summer, which suggested there might be battles ahead between him and new governor Eliot Spitzer. But at the end of 2006, Kalikow said he would step down during the second quarter of this year, after finishing up some projects, like the Second Avenue Subway. Here are some quotes from the MTA press release:

“I am a firm believer in setting aggressive goals, accomplishing those goals and then giving others the opportunity to both expand upon those initiatives and create new ones with fresh vision and new energy,” said Kalikow. “As both a longtime public servant and an avid supporter of term limits as a means to maintain healthy and effective government leadership, I believe the public will be best served by my decision.”

Continue reading "MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow Announces Resignation"

Spring appears to have, er, sprung, at least temporarily, in most of the Ist-A-Verse, so naturally, we're all feeling pretty good. (Yes, we know that spring doesn't start till later this month. Just let us enjoy our weather!) And that makes us that much more eager to share all of the nifty things we're up to...

Texas is thawing, the Northeast is freezing, and a sort of natural order seems almost restored to the Ist-A-Verse. Almost.

Streetsblog has this great map from Bruce Schaller, transportation consultant, that visualizes rush hour traffic between 4PM and 8PM. (The key notes "Average peak direction driving speeds: Red - Under 6 mph; Pink - 6 to 10 mph; Gray - Over 10 mph.)

Whilst surfing around on Flickr this morning we came across an amazing set of maps by Qaanaaq-- "GIS maps of stuff I think is interesting. Made mostly with ArcGIS 9 and Illustrator." The map above documents how people get to work in the five boroughs-- blue is public transit, red is cars, and green is walking. Similar data is mapped in different colors here-- it's strange how so many people use public transit in Red Hook. Related transit maps: proximity to subways (don't move to Eastern Queens and Southern Brooklyn if you want to commute by rail-- you'll definitely need a car).

Torontoist visits the site of a new Frank Gehry structure, stalks "the elusive Bahamas streetcar", and watches Tom Green get surgery.

After data released this week by the Census Bureau showed how crappy NYC commutes were, Queens College went over the data and came up with some interesting news: The number of mass transit users has grown as well, suggesting that if you're going to have a long commute, why not read a book and not deal with jerky drivers and bad roads. The NY Times reports that Queens College demographers found "tens of thousands of workers have stopped driving to their jobs and switched to riding subways, trains, buses and ferries."

The latest figures reinforce just how unusual New York is in its reliance on public transportation. No other American city makes half as much use of mass transit. Of the 6.2 million transit riders in the country, more than 40 percent live in the metropolitan region, which, by the federal government’s definition, includes the city and 18 surrounding counties in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Continue reading "More NY Area Commuters Use Mass Transit"

Breaking the law, breaking the law We -ist folks love us some crime, and no misdemeanor is too petty for a post on any of our sites. This week, join us for a rogues' gallery of miscreants major, minor, and alleged.

We're so glad you asked this question, because we are getting ready to kick it into gear for Autumn of Fun 05, which involves getting large-ish groups of people together for autumnal excursions such as apple picking. We found a few orchards that offer apple picking and directions by mass transit:

Do you have a hard time finding places to lock your bike? Learn more about the measures Transportation Alternatives is taking to make sure it's easier to bike, walk, and take public transit in the city.

Mike had to actually fire Rob from the editorial board of The Michigan Daily a few years back because of Rob's side activism. But now they're friends and are able to co-edit DCist pretty peacefully.

What cause could bring together such diverse names as Sidney "Sonny" Hertzberg and World B. Free, not to mention make Marty Markowitz talk about crying? Bringing the New Jersey Nets to Brooklyn, of course.