Long Live the $2 Fare?
Transit labor leaders and advocates for bus and subway
riders warn that the $2 city transit fare approved
recently by the MTA may not last beyond 2004. They
argue that escalating MTA debt service costs, spending
on system expansion projects and a new labor contract
will all come due in 2005, heavily pressuring transit
finances.
MTA, Employers Could Ease Fare Woes
The TransitChek program could save commuters hundreds
of dollars a year, but so far, it has not been used to
its potential. TransitChek officials told the Daily News
this week that only 500,000 employees, less than 10%
of those that use MTA facilities daily, are able to take
advantage of the TransitChek program. The program is
a rare gift from the federal government to transit-rich
New York.
Huge Jump in NJ Pedestrian Deaths
Statistics provided to the Tri-State Transportation Campaign
by the New Jersey Dept. of Law and Public Safety show
a 26 percent increase in New Jersey pedestrian fatalities
from 2001 to 2002.
Ban Car Alarms!
Transportation Alternatives released a report this week
that documented what most people know — that car
alarms are far better at annoying and keeping awake NYC
residents than they are in preventing car thefts. The
study suggests affordable, effective alternatives to
car alarms, such as brake locks and personal pager car
alarms.
Rowland Proposes Fare Hikes
The executive budget issued by Governor Rowland during
the first week of March proposes 25% bus fare increases
and a 20% commuter rail fare hike. The governor proposes
to raise the rail fares on October 1 this year, and bus
fares on January 1, 2004.
Ferries a Cheaper Route for Downtown
The report issued last week by Schaller Consulting on
Lower Manhattan transportation improvements questioned
the downtown business community’s fixation with
building a new LIRR link.
Sheridan Project Begins New Phase
With Environmental Impact Statement scoping hearings
for the Sheridan Expressway set to begin, it’s
do or die time for the New York State Dept. of Transportation
to agree to study an alternate, community-generated plan
for the highway and surrounding neighborhood.
Authority Adopts Better Bike/Ped Rule
Hudson Valley bike advocates report that the NY State
Bridge Authority has changed its policy of banning cyclists
and pedestrians from its cross-Hudson bridges...
NJDOT Finds Interchange Would Generate
Additional Traffic
In Bedminster, NJ, a "Citizens Group Against the
Ramps" won a victory last week when NJDOT decided
to forego its plan to build an interchange between interstates
287 and 78 and Route 202-206. Rather than construct the
$50 million interchange, NJDOT has decided to implement
local improvements around existing exits to relieve congestion
in the area.
