Private cars and driving is a privilege, not a right. Too long have we turned our streets over for the exclusive movement of vehicles instead of people. This plan does not ban private cars (which one could make a decent argument for), instead, the plan gives recognizes that there is not enough supply of roadway to meet demand, and that creating more roadway for cars has far too high of cost to people, the built environment, and the ecosystem. It quantifies, in economic terms, the scarcity of space for each persons' car to get into Manhattan CBD and reflects *some* of the social and environmental costs of deciding to drive into the most densely settled area in the country, rather than utilizing active transportation or our world-class transit system. Further, it recognizes that there isn't great service everywhere in the city - which can be a burden on lower middle class families that have to live farther away from good transit, but can afford a car - by directing the proceeds of the shift in tolls/new tolls to transit investments and expansion.
Is it a perfect plan? Of course not. Will all of us have to continue to engage with policy makers to ensure that the money is spent equitably (i.e. transit expansion in poorer and underserved areas)? Of course. But, this is a massive step toward prioritizing moving people, instead of vehicles. As well as recognizing the roles transit, for hire vehicles, efficient commercial deliveries, active transportation, and intelligent parking policy have in making a vibrant, equitable, thriving, and people-centered city.
A great feature of this rebalancing of tolls is that it would no longer encourage truck traffic to pass through Manhattan, making life worse for everyone. Instead, it will encourage trucks that do not have a destination in Manhattan (i.e. coming from JFK and going to the mainland) will use the Verrazano and go through Staten Island, where the infrastructure is more suited to handle such vehicles.
This structure seems to be a great way to avoid the tomfoolery that happens. Just collect the money and disburse it. No funny business. No political demagoguery. The existing agencies will surely still need reform, but that's a different question.
I want this provision badly. But, I'm wondering if there is a way for the governor to use some other executive privilege, other emergency or constitutional power to undermine this mechanism?
Private cars and driving is a privilege, not a right. Too long have we turned our streets over for the exclusive movement of vehicles instead of people. This plan does not ban private cars (which one could make a decent argument for), instead, the plan gives recognizes that there is not enough supply of roadway to meet demand, and that creating more roadway for cars has far too high of cost to people, the built environment, and the ecosystem. It quantifies, in economic terms, the scarcity of space for each persons' car to get into Manhattan CBD and reflects *some* of the social and environmental costs of deciding to drive into the most densely settled area in the country, rather than utilizing active transportation or our world-class transit system. Further, it recognizes that there isn't great service everywhere in the city - which can be a burden on lower middle class families that have to live farther away from good transit, but can afford a car - by directing the proceeds of the shift in tolls/new tolls to transit investments and expansion.
Is it a perfect plan? Of course not. Will all of us have to continue to engage with policy makers to ensure that the money is spent equitably (i.e. transit expansion in poorer and underserved areas)? Of course. But, this is a massive step toward prioritizing moving people, instead of vehicles. As well as recognizing the roles transit, for hire vehicles, efficient commercial deliveries, active transportation, and intelligent parking policy have in making a vibrant, equitable, thriving, and people-centered city.
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A great feature of this rebalancing of tolls is that it would no longer encourage truck traffic to pass through Manhattan, making life worse for everyone. Instead, it will encourage trucks that do not have a destination in Manhattan (i.e. coming from JFK and going to the mainland) will use the Verrazano and go through Staten Island, where the infrastructure is more suited to handle such vehicles.
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No more subsidies to wealthy(er) car owners in the most transit rich area in the country!
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This structure seems to be a great way to avoid the tomfoolery that happens. Just collect the money and disburse it. No funny business. No political demagoguery. The existing agencies will surely still need reform, but that's a different question.
View this comment in the discussion thread
I want this provision badly. But, I'm wondering if there is a way for the governor to use some other executive privilege, other emergency or constitutional power to undermine this mechanism?
View this comment in the discussion thread
Again, love this idea, but what is enforceability of this provision, especially on city agencies? Can the state compel this?
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