Happy New Year, let's go Backwards!!!

The now brainless, ever brash US House of Republicans, has decided that funds for transportation projects are now subject to re-appropriation. . . meaning your gas tax dollars may not go to bridges, subways and roads, but to some freakish abstinence campaign.  THANKS republicans, for tossing us back 15 years on the plodding path of progress.  Be sure to say hi to your private special interests on the way to survey the stalled infrastructure project in your district.  Jerks.

“Buried in the rules written by the GOP majority is a change that is opposed by the City of New York and the State Transportation Department and which the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said would cause ’significant damage.’”  He continues: “New Yorkers have already paid money at the gas pump that is guaranteed for transit, subways and roads.  Under the new rule change, this money would be put on the annual chopping block and not guaranteed at all.”

-Anthony Weiner (the only man with half a brain in there)

Healthy Transit, Healthy City

Good news from the American Public Transit Association:  Cities with well-planned, efficient, comprehensive public transit systems are home to healthier longer-lived citizens than those with car-based transportation networks.  This isn't surprising, I suppose, public transport encourages some walking, standing, even biking . . . but the study also finds that

"the 10  U.S. counties with the “smartest,” most transit-oriented growth have approximately one-fourth the traffic fatality rates as those counties with the most sprawling development. For example, the traffic fatality rate for the Bronx, NY was approximately four per 100,000 residents.  However, for Miami, KS, the rate was almost 40 per 100,000."

So, not only are you less likely to die of heart disease, stroke and other perils of sedentary living, less likely to be made sick by auto-generated smog, but you're also less likely to be hit by some fatty in an SUV trying to eat a Quizno's and put on lip balm at the same time.  The health benefits were seen across economic groups.

The future of the MTA sits on Albany's Shoulders

Unfortunately, Albany's already shriveled and useless shoulders are currently tilting ever earthward as she tries harder daily to shove her head up her own ass.

The basics:  

• No transit system relies on ridership for funding . . . they all need subsidy, and it's worth it because transit systems add immeasurably to the city's prosperity and growth.
• The MTA relies on local property taxes which are unreliable (in recent years have plummeted 75%)
• Albany consistently denies funding the MTA can depend on, leaving the agency to plan on an uncertain future budget.
• Other transit systems (like Paris') have fail-safes, if the taxation that feeds the coffers of the system fails, local governments are REQUIRED BY FEDERAL LAW to make up the difference.
• The answer, in the mind of every wise and informed person, is CONGESTION PRICING.  A small fee to drive a private car into Manhattan on weekdays (exemptions for business, taxis, etc.).  This alone would diminish traffic, clean the air, and create the equivalent of roughly DOUBLE what the MTA got from it's property tax subsidy this year.

In closing, congestion pricing is a no-brainer -- but then again, so is Albany who has struck down every attempt to implement it in recent years.  Because they all love to take their towncars and SUVs over our beautiful bridges and through our historical tunnels to park all over the place, visit our museums, eat at our cafes, idle endlessly, and marvel at "how anyone could really LIVE here."  

PARK(ing) DAY in NYC!!!

So here's an idea that sounds fun and just anti-establishment enough.  On Friday Sept. 17, 2010, reclaim a parking space for a day and use it for something more people-oriented and not so car-friendly.  Okay, so it also seems hot and noisy, but that's what protesting feels like.  Or, at least that's what it has to feel like since we can't pass congestion pricing because of one or two whores.  I'm talking to you SHELDON SILVER.  HERE is the site, and here's a VIDEO from this day in 2007.

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Trolleys coming back to Brooklyn?

Now this would be a great thing!  There is talk of using an unused $300,000 appropriation to look into putting light rail or trolley into Red Hook.  It would open up a part of Brooklyn that is under-served by the current MTA system, and could prove a model for other above-ground mass transit in the city.  (may I suggest cross-town trolleys on 23, 34, 59, and 86th Streets, and several lines linking Brooklyn and Queens?)  Trolleys once crisscrossed the entire borough.  Full article HERE.
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When you share your happy

Check out how nice it is to share your happy. . . even with your bus driver:

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