MTA Faces Huge Budget Pressures
Plenty of news coverage has described the shortfall Governor
George Pataki’s recent budget plan represents
for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s
2005-2009 capital program. The Governor outlined
only a $19 billion five year program, in contrast
to the nearly $28 billion sought by the MTA.
Freight Tunnel in Limbo
Mayor Bloomberg’s election year opposition to the
proposed cross-harbor freight rail tunnel does not of
itself spell doom for the project. The tunnel plan has
reservoirs of support throughout the NYC political, civic,
business and transportation establishments, and there
will be time after the mayoral election this November
to sort out city government’s official position
on the plan.
Can NJ Transit Afford Ferries?
New Jersey is considering legislation to get NJ Transit
into the ferry business. In mid-February, as the Port
Authority ended months of speculation that ferry service
from New Jersey to Manhattan could see a serious diminution
in service, the New Jersey Assembly approved bill A.3674,
authorizing NJ Transit to take over ferry systems that
fail.
Strike is Latest Blow to Bee-Line
The strike that has stranded tens of thousands of Westchester
Bee-Line bus riders is the latest evidence that mass
transit service in New York’s suburbs operates
on an untenable shoe-string, with virtually no ability
to plan for the future.
B's and C's for NYC Cycling
Transportation Alternatives gives New York City passing
if not stellar grades for bicycle-friendliness in the
organization’s 8th annual NYC Bicycling Report
Card.
Full Market Value for MTA's Atlantic Yards?
Last week, Forest City Ratner agreed to pay the MTA "full
market value" for development rights above the Atlantic
Yards site in Brooklyn, though does not identify what
that value is.
