MTR 43, MOVE -- How and Where?

Mobilizing the Region
Issue 43 July 20, 1995

MOVE -- How and Where?

The Project Advisory Committee to the Mid-Hudson South Transportation Coordinating Committee on its MOVE (Multiple Occupancy Vehicle Emphasis) Study met June 22nd to review the consultants' initial recommendations on transportation corridors in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Orange and Dutchess Counties. The study is looking at policies and projects to encourage drivers to rideshare and use public transit. The Campaign welcomes the policy discussions occasioned by the MOVE project, but remains wary of the its possible use to promote construction of a new network of high occupancy vehicle highway lanes that will only deepen car dependence.

The meeting included stimulating discussion about congestion pricing as a policy option. Both the Tappan Zee bridge and employee parking lots were identified as potential places to apply congestion pricing. Some asked whether pricing would cause drivers to shift to non-tolled roads and whether, if parking prices were raised in White Plains, for example, people might stay away from downtown areas, promoting sprawl development. The discussion is ongoing.

The consultants are entering the third phase of the study and will analyze "fatal flaws" of environmental, engineering and land use characteristics that would preclude various MOVE strategies in any of the initially identified corridors. Follow-up meetings will occur this fall.

Click here for the next installment of the "HOV Story"