MTA Financing: Look to Albany
NYC editorial boards rightly pinned the problems of transit
financing in New York on Albany in the aftermath
of the release of the MTA’s draft 2005 budget
and 2005-2009 capital program. The 2005 budget spelled
out an ominous menu of fare increases and service
cuts and warned that things could get even worse
in 2006. The capital program laid out the projects
needed to improve the existing system and build major
new capacity projects, but fulfilling it will require
about $3 billion per year in new resources.
Traffic Rebounding?
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board will
likely hold hearings this fall for a 2005 budget that
includes fare increases and service cuts that would take
effect early in 2005. The agency released its 2005 preliminary
hearing at its board meeting Thursday.
Port Authority, Thruway Move to Speed Tolls
The region saw still more high-speed tolling developments
(as well as low-speed announcements by the MTA) this
past week.
MTA Fare Plan Would Curb Express Buses
Staten Islanders reacted strongly to the highest percentage
fare increase identified last week among likely "gap
closing" actions the MTA will take to balance its
2005 budget. The 50% hike in the NYC Transit express
bus fare, from $4 to $6 one-way, coming after last year’s
$1 (33%) hike would mean a doubling of express bus fares
in two years.
NJ Clears Traffic Calming Roadblocks
Legislation that makes it easier for municipalities to
build speed humps on dangerous streets without a lengthy
approval process from the state Department of Transportation
(DOT) was signed into law by Governor McGreevey in July.
The legislation also requires the DOT to design statewide
standards for speed hump construction.
Bike Lanes That Work
According to Transportation Alternatives, the NYC DOT
has released its first-ever comprehensive before-and-after
analysis of bicycle lane efficacy.
