Results tagged “statetransportationcampaign”

usher the MTA into an era of high ridership and capital improvement and help ed set up many big projects (Second Avenue Subway, East Side Access). But he also oversaw the agency during the transit strike.

Even though it's been a year since the idea of congestion pricing in the city was first floated, the idea does seem to have legs. Last week, a NY Times article noted that about a number of groups were rallying behind congestion pricing, in hopes of getting politicians on board and influencing the Mayor's plan for the city's growth. And today, the Daily News reports that a survey finds almost 45% of respondents thinking " it would be a good idea to charge drivers to enter Manhattan below 60th St. because it would get them into trains and buses." Then again, 45% were opposed to the idea, since there are already hefty tolls at the Lincoln and Holland Tunnels. The Tri-State Transportation Campaign questioned 800 city residents and also found:

- Only 18% were familiar with the concept of congestion pricing, which also entails charging drivers more for peak-hour travel.

Continue reading "Survey Finds NYC Could Be Receptive to Congestion Pricing"

- Beautiful panoramic shots of some iconic places, such as Grand Central and Economy Candy

thing to do! The biggest transit union filed a suit saying the West Side railyards bidding should be reopened because the MTA perhaps didn't get enough money out of it. And the Straphangers Campaign and Tri-State Transportation Campaign, plus the NY chapter of Common Cause, are joining the suit. While it sucks to be MTA Chairman Kalikow (or NYC Transit President Reuter), Gothamist imagines that the MTA's lawyers are feasting on this like a fatted calf, given what they have to do with Cablevision's lawsuit. We're curious how far the courts will let these lawsuits go, as well as how effective the arguments each side makes will be...perhaps it'll be the International Olympic Committee's summer announcement of the 2012 venue that will really put the screws in for one side, as the NYC bid is contingent on a West Side Jets Stadium.

One lawsuit, filed by Cablevision, West Side residents, and a business owner, claims that the environmental study by the city was inaccurate. The other, by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign and the Straphangers Campaign, challenges the city's estimate that 70% of fans for the game would use via mass transit or arrive by foot.

The NY Times points out that the huge financial problems were foreseen and that the blame can be attributed to both NYC mayors and the governor, but Governor Pataki wields the most power when making decisions about the MTA, and we feel one of the worst ones was Chairman E. Virgil Conaway who "adopted a new capital program, without any new sources of aid, that relied more heavily on borrowing than in the past." Really, the article is depressing, but Gothamist strongly urges you to read the article and become familiar with the names of officials involved, because on the election day, perhaps you'll be able to vote for Assembly members and State Senators who have our interests at heart. For a lucid explanation of the fare hike, look at this Straphangers' press release. The Straphangers also have this handy page that explains how can get involved in telling your elected leaders/MTA officials what you think.

The Straphangers and Tri-State Transportation Campaign have been collecting collected suggestions for how to celebrate the subway system's 100th anniversary next October. The Daily News has the top ten suggestions: