Downstate Roads: Long Route
to Good Repair
Think New York City’s roads are in bad shape? You’re
right. A new Tri-State Transportation Campaign analysis
of federal pavement condition data (from 2002) reveals
that 97.8 percent of the NY State DOT-run Interstates,
freeways, expressways, other principal arterials in the
city are "in less than good condition."
Bloomberg Taking a Pass on Transit Construction Plan?
When the MTA board of directors approved the agency’s
huge 2005-2009 capital program last week, Mayor Bloomberg’s
four board representatives abstained from the vote. While
the exact message the mayor was sending was murky, Bloomberg
appointee Mark Page said that without tangible funding
sources, the proposed capital program was "quite
empty."
Toll Policy Change Would Help MTA Raise Money
Community Consulting Services this week called for elimination
of the 50-cent discount for E-ZPass users at the MTA’s
bridges and tunnels, arguing that the change would raise
far more revenue for the agency than the $1 monthly E-ZPass
user fee proposed in the 2005 MTA budget.
Jump Start for Nassau Hub?
A Newsday opinion piece last Thursday... noted that the
traffic consequences of the 60-story condo-hotel building
proposed near the Nassau Coliseum by Charles Wang are "likely
to be the number one issue" on the minds of nearby
citizens and municipal leaders.
Highway Removal: A Road to Revitalization?
At a September 21 symposium in the Bronx, transportation
officials, Hunts Point business figures, community activists
and elected officials heard the stories of key figures
in the removal of highways in Milwaukee and San Francisco
(see MTR #474).
Life's a Glitch on the New Haven Line
New Haven line Metro-North riders are generally less
happy with service than their Harlem and Hudson line
counterparts, according to a recently released rider
satisfaction survey.
NJ Insurance Plan to Stiff Urban Drivers
New Jersey has had the highest auto-insurance rates in
the country 14 out of the last 16 years, so finding ways
to lower rates are a top priority for lawmakers. However,
New Jersey’s new proposal may end up punishing
urban drivers, noted a recent Jersey
Journal editorial.
TransitChek Works, Still Needs Promotion
Results from a recent market research survey by TransitCenter,
the marketer of TransitChek, indicate that the federal
mass transit commute benefit, which enables purchase
of transit passes with pre-tax income, is helping promote
mass transit and reduce car use in the region. The benefit
is only available to commuters whose employers choose
to participate.
