Congestion Pricing
Streetsblog Basics
MTA Stares Down Billion-Dollar Deficit as Liu and Weiner Mock Bridge Tolls
MTA chief Elliot Sander announced this morning that the city's transit agency is up against a $1.2 billion budget deficit, and needs government aid or new sources of revenue to avoid fare increases or service cuts. But an expected recommendation by the Ravitch Commission to toll East River bridges is already taking heat from the usual suspects.
November 10, 2008
If Gridlock Sam Was President…
A bit of pre-Election Day fun: Here's a mock state-of-the-union speech drafted for the next President by "Gridlock" Sam Schwartz. Combining some ideas from Barack Obama's platform with some that no candidate would utter during a presidential campaign, he lays out a plan for infrastructure investment and how to pay for it:
October 28, 2008
Silver Wins Big as Squadron Ousts Connor
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver presumably cruised to another term in yesterday's Democratic primary, racking up almost 68 percent of the Lower Manhattan vote against challengers Paul Newell and Luke Henry. He will face Republican Danniel Maio in the general election.
September 10, 2008
The Polls Are Open in New York City
It's primary day, and when it comes to local elections in New York, that means the next few hours bear more significance than what happens in November. Gotham Gazette has the most comprehensive guide to all the contested primaries in the city. From a livable streets perspective, the three Manhattan races stand out.
September 9, 2008
Ravitch Commission Hearings Announced
The Ravitch Commission, formed to recommend MTA funding sources for the next decade, has scheduled three public hearings later this month. The Tri-State Transportation Campaign's Mobilizing the Region has the scoop:
September 5, 2008
On the Campaign Trail, Silver Blames MTA for Pricing Debacle
Finding himself with two opponents in next month's Democratic primary, the Downtown Express reports that Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is spending the summer knocking on doors and chatting with editorial boards.
August 19, 2008
Congestion Costs Chicago $7.3 Billion Per Year
You know a city is getting serious about tackling traffic when a new report comes out measuring how much gridlock costs the region.
August 13, 2008
Auto Dealers, Parking Garages and, Well, Lots of Others Fund Shelly
In case you missed it last week, New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is raising bucket-loads of campaign cash -- lots more than his two opponents, Paul Newell and Luke Henry. Groups that opposed congestion pricing are, no surprise, among some of the most enthusiastic contributors. The Times reported:
July 21, 2008
New Mayor Could Weaken London Congestion Charge
London Mayor Boris Johnson may scale back the congestion pricing plan put in place by Ken Livingstone, whom Johnson defeated in May. The Times is reporting that the current 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. flat rate charge could be altered in a number of ways, including a reduction in the hours during which the fee is applied and reversing an extension of the zone, which was implemented last year.
July 9, 2008
Transit Activist Gary Reilly in the Hunt for City Council Seat
Gary Reilly, the Brooklynite whose petition drive for subway service improvements drew thousands of signatures last summer, is running to replace term-limited Bill de Blasio on the City Council. A Carroll Gardens resident and neighborhood blogger, Reilly has made transit the centerpiece of his campaign.
July 8, 2008