Streetsblog New York City

Once again, Congestion Pricing is ABOUT THE PLACARDS, and is opposed primarily by those who hold them. They are the only people who can drive to Manhattan for "free," because of the high cost of parking otherwise.

And yes, that is our political oligarchy.

The business oligarchy is in favor.

The rest of us don't matter.

What is worse is, once the school system re-collapses as a result of all the money going to the retirees, they will go back to allocating the limited amount of actual education available in NYC by handing out "education placards." They didn't call them that, but that's what they were.

After they cut the libraries again, there will be "libary placards." "Park placards." Etc.

With among the highest state and local taxes in the country, basically you either pay for public services your self (through "donations" to your public park and school or private or parchocial school), benefit from "placards," or do without. Think about it.

Koppell may justify needing his placard to make calls in his northwest Bronx district -- but certainly not to come into Manhattan, where he has his law office and excellent transit options to reach City Hall and park in City Hall Park. And his bill to make parking placards even easier for disabled and seniors to obtain will flood the city with even more of these placards. They are like a black market currency -- used more often by people and for purposes that have nothing to do with those for which they were issued.

Can I suggest that your title for the Room Eight article about disabled parking permits is very disrepectful?

In any case, do you have other suggestions on how these people get around? The subway -- with no elevators? Bikes? Taxis -- that don't accomodate wheelchairs?

MS, I don't think Ben was implying that disabled people can't drive - I think it was a response to the confusing statement that:

"Council Members Simcha Felder and Oliver Koppell will introduce legislation allowing applicants of NYC disability parking permits to use MTA Access-A-Ride ID cards or reduced-fare MetroCards as proof of identity. ... Since many applicants do not drive, it is a burden to get DMV issued identification."

It is very possible that there is a reason why people who do not drive would need parking permits, but I - and I presume, Ben - have no idea what it is.

The Port Authority is planning to be carbon-neutral by 2010 with one little, tiny exception. They obviously are not counting the emissions of the cars that use their bridges and tunnels.