Bloomberg’s Traffic Plan Gets State and Federal Support
by Eric Kane, New York, NY on 06. 8.07
In April, we wrote about Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s proposal to bring congestion pricing to New York City. The plan would require drivers to pay an $8-a-day fee to drive below 86th street in Manhattan between 6am and 6pm on weekdays. Although it appears as if the Mayor is in for a legislative fight, the proposal recently received key endorsements from New York Governor, Eliot Spitzer, and the Bush Administration. Mary E. Peters, the US Transportation Secretary, announced that New York City was one of nine finalists for a share of $1.1 billion in federal aid to fight urban traffic. However, the city’s share could be in jeopardy if the Mayor’s proposal does not win legislative approval by August. The necessary support may be difficult to achieve, as State Assembly and State Senate members from both sides of the aisle have voiced concerns. Despite, concerns of his own, Spitzer said he would work to ensure the passage of the plan. For those who think such a plan might not be necessary, the Transportation Secretary was apparently delayed in meeting with the mayor and governor because of traffic on the FDR Drive.
Charging a fee won't solve the problem. It's just a cheap way for the government to collect more money to spend on something other than solving the problem. This will not keep congestion out of Manhattan. I say cut the roads down to 2 Lanes for cars and the rest for bikes and motorcycles.
It works (sort of) in London. And this isn't that profitable a venture, the london one makes only a little more money than it costs.
Congestion pricing is a good idea - but there is a chicken-egg problem.
The proceeds are supposed to go to mass transit. But having ridden rush hour Metro North (Hudson Line), NJ Transit (Northeast Corridor), PATH, and MTA Subways for 6 years, I can tell you - they are packed! Squishing room only.
There needs to be investment and accomplishment in expanding an already awesome mass transit system before you start charging everyday people for going to work by car. That said - I think its a good idea either way, but to charge THEN expand transit is riskier. It will get the subway riding public angrier, public support from people who already don't drive will turn around (against the plan), and it could wind up just going away.
So Mr. Mayor, if you are paying attention, please make the heavy investment first, don't leave NYC commuters and transit riders - the people already staying off the streets - bear the burden of congestion pricing in the form of transit delays and overcrowding. There has to be a better way.
David Schmetterer
I think Mayor Nanny Bloomie is a very arrogant man. I also highly doubt he rides the subway that much. He's the mayor, I want someone driving him around so he can work and make calls and stuff. New Yorkers shouldn't want him wasting all that time on the subway.
We all have to wonder what Bloomberg is really thinking of with this congestion pricing tax scheme. Maybe he mostly just wants a new tax. Just wrap it up in ‘concern for the environment’, and then people can just demonize those who oppose it.
If he cares so much about traffic jams, congestion and air pollution, why does he let Park Avenue be blocked off? Why doesn’t he do anything about that?
It's true, Pershing Square Restaurant blocks Park Avenue going South at 42nd St. for about 12 hours a day/5 months of the year! This Causes Massive Congestion and Air Pollution!
But apparently it does not bother NYC’s Nanny-in-Chief Mike “Congestion Pricing Tax” Bloomberg?
It certainly supports his claim that the city is hugely congested.
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Check it out!
Thank you!
:)