Comments on: Congestion Pricing Populist Soundbite Contest

By: Doc Barnett

Doc Barnett — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:16:27 +0000

Congestion pricing: just another politically naive plan to reduce driving and improve public transportation.

By: gecko

gecko — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:38:15 +0000

Smoking transport kills children, people, and other living things.

By: hamish wilson

hamish wilson — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 23:42:17 +0000

how bout
Turn the freeways into feeways - end carrupt politricks!

By: Doc Barnett

Doc Barnett — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 19:39:36 +0000

Maybe so. "Congestion" emphasizes the business case for pricing, which most people don't care about or even follow, but air and noise pollution are very tangible to New Yorkers. I still worry that it opens the door to exemptions for vehicles that emit less local pollution (while imposing the other negative effects of automobiles) and decreases potential mass transit funding. But, what the heck, any road pricing system is better than none at all. We should be simultaneously pursuing the capital-agnostic plan B of carving out physically separated lanes (and streets) for busses, bikes, and emergency vehicles. And giving more space, safety, and priority to pedestrians everywhere. There is no sense in losing the populist battle for policies that are so broadly favorable to the populace. Politicians! Pry your hands from the steering wheel long enough to clear the air and fund transit with a price on pollution. Experience New York like the rest of us, or we'll find someone who does.

By: urban taxpayer

urban taxpayer — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:56:33 +0000

I have always thought "pollution pricing" would be a better sell. It makes clear that driving into the city has a negative environmental impact, even if you pay for it. it also dispels the idea that increasing speed is the goal - like the old Harlem and Vanderbilt Speedways, which were recreational amenities for the rich. You want every driver who passes through the cordon to experience a twinge of guilt, not smug satisfaction at having paid for a luxury good, and to consider the possible alternatives.

By: roy russell

roy russell — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:10:26 +0000

The problem is that we're using the wrong language. "congestion pricing" is like "death tax". It sounds like something you don't want. We should be using something that connotes freedom and joy. No lines,no waiting. Open for business. How about "Freedom Fee"? Or "Free Ride"? Everybody wants a free ride and everyone likes freedom and doesn't mind paying a tiny fee for it.

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:20:48 +0000

Mr. Right Wing Wacko--

you sum up the core of the opposition's sentiment quite nicely. some people just don't like to be around other people and would rather stay ensconced in their cars. my advice to you is to move to Montana.

By: right wing wacko

right wing wacko — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:10:36 +0000

how about "I'm a loser who never got a drivers license and somehow feel entitled to more of the middle classes money to improve my piss smelling trains and busses"

By: Colin aka No Impact Man

Colin aka No Impact Man — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 04:07:40 +0000

It's your happiness and health. Don't let out-of-towners drive away with it.

By: mork

mork — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:38:00 +0000

Or longer yet:

Hop on the bus, Gus.
Make a new plan, Jan(ette).
No need to be coy, Roy,
Just set yourself free
(And lose the car.)

By: graham

graham — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:31:12 +0000

Or, in a longer format:
Tell Albany to get on the bus.

By: graham

graham — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:27:42 +0000

Get on the bus.

By: wha?

wha? — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:45:30 +0000

yo "KeepNYCFree" : with congestion pricing, the hard-earned money is more because families don't have to own, operate, park, fuel and insure an automobile. they can take improved mass transit instead, like most new yorkers do already.

By: KeepNYCFree

KeepNYCFree — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:41:36 +0000

It is the year 2030. There is no congestion tax after all. City and state legislators realized there were no guarantees or fairness and put the controversial plan in permanent park. The air is clean, neighborhood streets are not filled with commuter parking, and hard-earned money is being used for working families and retirement savings...not bureaucratic dollar in/dollar out schemes. All is good.

By: Charles Siegel

Charles Siegel — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:30:29 +0000

You deserve to consume all the world's resources. Don't worry about leaving a livable world to our children.

By: psw

psw — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:12:02 +0000

Your street is overrun with traffic and your kids have asthma. pass congestion pricing now to switch all those polluting driving trips to transit, walking and biking.

By: me

me — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 23:46:15 +0000

Congestion pricing is a total fraud so NYC can become more exclusively RICH. HEY you congestion pricing supporters - Do you really think that ANY money will be USED to actually improve TRANSIT than if they congestion pricing did not go through. I support congestion fighting - how about NO 50,000+ govt. parking permits. Let us really say what this is all about - keeping us rifraff from Brooklyn and Queens from coming in. I love it how on the weekends for the last 10 years there is always massive subway "maintenace related disruptions". You want the middle class to leave the city? The rich people from Westchester, Connecticut, and NJ are not going to be paying the $8 to the MTA only us stupid saps from the outer boroughs. Make it fair, no private cars whatsoever in NYC for anybody during rush hour. Not just those who can afford it!

By: Damien Newton

Damien Newton — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 23:39:12 +0000

Don't Support More Money for Mass Transit! Gas prices are going to drop any day now.

By: Doc Barnett

Doc Barnett — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:47:16 +0000

You may be in the drivers seat, but most of your constituents are not. Show them you care by supporting congestion pricing to improve the transit they depend on, or they might have to take away your parking privileges (and your job) in the next election.

By: Charles Siegel

Charles Siegel — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 21:27:53 +0000

You are in an ambulance after being hit by a car, but the ambulance is stuck in traffic and cannot get you to the hospital quickly enough to save your life. Don't you wish you had supported congestion pricing?