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Congestion Pricing Has Nine Lives

Posted by
on June 26th, 2008 at 2:49 am

Just when I thought that the bullshit congestion pricing plan was buried, comes the news that it has nine lives! This is due to Gov. David Patterson who found Mayor Bloomberg’s congestion pricing plan to be “unique and well thought out.” He said this in an exclusive interview with CBS-2 New York. Here is Jay Dow’s report:

If you thought congestion pricing hit a red light, think again. The controversial plan is getting new life.

Congestion pricing seems to have more lives than an alley cat. After state legislators shot down the plan in April, it’s returned – put back in play by Gov. David Paterson, who in an exclusive interview with CBS 2 said, “I thought Mayor Bloomberg’s congestion pricing plan was unique and well thought out.”

Charging a fee to drivers who enter Manhattan’s central business district during peak travel times was, and still is a clear way to generate revenue according to Richard Ravitch, who chairs an independent MTA funding commission set up by Gov. Paterson.

“The idea of raising revenue through the use of automobiles in this city is something that would have to be considered as one of many options,” said Ravitch.

But it’s going to be a tough sell. For budget conscious drivers, congestion pricing remains a bad idea.

“I hate it. I can’t take it,” said Brian Doherty of Queens.

“Bad idea. I can’t afford it. It’s that simple,” added Jim Spencer of Stamford, Conn.

The first meeting of the Ravitch Commission is Wednesday, and sources tell CBS 2 HD because congestion pricing got such a bad rap. They may end up calling it something else.

My thoughts on this have not changed from what I posted in the past. I find it pathetic if they truly try to pass off this “saving grace” sham under a new name. Do they really think we are idiots & would not realize it is the same plan if nothing is changed? I am curious to see what the Ravitch Commission comes up with in terms of financial solutions for the MTA. Lets hope it is something that would legitimately help & not rob from Peter to pay Paul.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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3

Mayor Bloomberg Clashes With MTA Board

Posted by
on June 26th, 2008 at 2:19 am

A battle of rich people is coming to your home via PPV real soon. Ok, I am not being serious about the battle coming to PPV but it is brewing. The battle is between Mayor Bloomberg & the MTA Board over who shoudl be appointed the next chairman of a key transit committee that helps set policy including such key tasks as whether fares get raised or not. New York Daily News transit reporter Pete Donohue had this report:

Mayor Bloomberg and the MTA are clashing over who should be the next chairman of a key transit committee that helps set policy – including whether or not to raise fares.

Bloomberg would like to see lawyer Mark Lebow, one of the mayor’s four representatives on the board, named head of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s transit committee, sources said. Lebow has been vice chairman of the panel, which focuses on subways and buses, for six years.

But MTA brass have told City Hall officials that the vacancy won’t go to a city rep because the MTA essentially is a state agency, sources said. MTA Chairman Dale Hemmerdinger, who makes the final call, was picked by former Gov. Eliot Spitzer, as was MTA CEO Elliot Sander.

There appears to be a growing rift between City Hall and the MTA. On Monday, Lebow and another mayoral appointee aggressively grilled transit management about train delays, cost overruns and other issues. Lebow openly questioned whether there was a talent drain at NYC Transit and lax supervision, which NYC Transit President Howard Roberts hotly rejected.

City representatives also were poised to vote against an amendment to the MTA’s capital plan if a vote was scheduled for this week.

Still, both sides Tuesday denied there was a power struggle taking place. The committee chairman has influence over what proposals are brought up for discussion and votes, and has a higher profile than others on the committee. Until recently, it was led by longtime board member Barry Feinstein, whose latest term expired.

“We believe the job of committee chairman should go to whomever is the most qualified person,” Bloomberg spokesman Stu Loeser said. “We don’t believe that people who happen to be representatives of the city should be preemptively blocked from getting there.”

One transit source said Doreen Frasca, another governor-nominated MTA board member, is on track to get the leadership position.

“No decision has been made,” MTA spokesman Jeremy Soffin insisted. “The chairman is going to choose the person he thinks is the best fit … regardless of affiliation or appointment.”

The full MTA board today is expected to adopt a policy change that ends free lifetime travel perks for board members and their spouses. Current members will still get free access to subways, buses, commuter trains, and bridges, but only if related to their official duties. Hemmerdinger also will direct former board members to turn in their parking permits issued via the MTA Police Department. That recall doesn’t need board approval, officials said.

Personally I don’t care for this battle as both parties are coming across as spoiled children. The main goal should be placing the most qualified individual in the position. While we have a better chance of seeing pigs fly, the MTA should consider your average straphanger or a solid transit advocate for the position. If not for this position, a place on the board even if it is in a non-voting capacity at the beginning.

xoxo  Transit Blogger

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NYC Transit Increases Fare Evasion Penalty

Posted by
on June 25th, 2008 at 6:38 pm

Earlier today, the MTA Board approved the increase of the fare evasion penalty from $60 to $100. The increased penalty will start as of July 7th. The MTA’s New York City Transit division issued a press release:

MTA New York City Transit today announced that the penalty for fare evasion has been increased from $60 to $100. This increase, the first in 20 years, was approved by the full MTA Board at its June meeting held today. The increased fine will go into effect on summonses for fare evasion issued on or after July 7, 2008.

Last year alone, officers of the New York City Police Department’s Transit Bureau issued close to 85,000 summonses for acts of fare evasion, from which NYC Transit recouped an estimated $7.2 million in payments. This is despite the fact that we have added anti-tampering software to turnstiles in the subway system to prevent people from manipulating MetroCards to avoid paying their fare, or selling ‘swipes’ using doctored cards.

Also, in light of the introduction of Select Bus Service on the Bx12 route on Sunday, which is basically an honor system wherein customers pay their fares and obtain receipts before boarding the bus, it is essential that we ensure that we collect fares. The monetary liability for willful fare evasion has to be sufficient to deter individuals who might otherwise be tempted to abuse the new fare collection procedure associated with Select Bus Service, which is designed to speed up boarding and as a byproduct travel times.

“We wanted to institute a penalty stiff enough to make it a losing proposition for anyone who was even contemplating boarding a bus or subway train without paying the fare,” noted NYC Transit President Howard H. Roberts, Jr. “Once a fare evader gets hit with $100.00 fine, maybe it will dawn on that person that saving two dollars just isn’t worth it. Individuals contemplating fare evasion should also consider the fact that violations of NYC Transit’s Rules of Conduct can result in arrest in lieu of a TAB summons.”

As such, the penalty is being increased from the current $60 per violation to $100 per violation. This is the first increase in the penalty in two decades. Virtually all other forms of civil fines in the region have increased since the 1980’s, quite substantially in many cases.

I completely support the increase as people should pay the price for trying to steal a ride. In the tough economic times the MTA faces, every dollar it can get has to be seen as a good thing.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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A Huge Mistake

Posted by
on June 25th, 2008 at 6:31 pm

I was browsing some of my favorite blogs & came across an entry about the MTA shelving the planned third track at the 72nd Street station on the Second Avenue Subway. My first suggestion is to check out the entry I am referring to on Ben K’s Second Avenue Sagas which in my opinion is the best blog for extensive opinions & updates on the Second Avenue Subway project.

Benjamin nails it perfectly in regards to the city, & MTA regretting not making this a 4 track line in the future. He is also correct in how eliminating the third track from this station would lead to issues with traffic & connecting transfers.

In the long run it is painfully obvious that the Second Avenue Subway will be a project that will always have the “what it could have been” syndrome attached to it. How different would our transit infrastructure be if all projects were planned with the current & future ridership increases in mind. One can dream right?????

xoxo Transit Blogger

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5 & 6 Train Service Alert

Posted by
on June 25th, 2008 at 3:09 pm

The MTA has posted a service alert regarding service on the & . The service alert states:

Due to a smoke condition at the 28th Street Station:

Brooklyn Bridge-bound trains are running on the express track between the Grand Central-42nd Street Station and the 14th Street-Union Square Station.

Selected Brooklyn College-bound trains are running on the 2 line from the 3rd Avenue-149th Street Station to the Nevins Street Station.

Customers are advised to avoid using the Lexington Avenue line. As an alternate the following buses may be used: M1, M2, M3, M5, M101, M102 and M103.

Please expect delays in 4, and 6 train service at this time.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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