Comments on: Today’s Headlines http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:07:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ian Turner http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/comment-page-1/#comment-54153 Ian Turner Mon, 28 Jul 2008 03:27:59 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/#comment-54153 Dchadwick, As others have asked, is the subway a transportation system or is it a welfare system? Fares should be set at a level in accordance with reasonable operating costs. If that results in some people being unable to afford required transportation, then those people --- and only those people --- should be compensated through other means. It would be far better to have a subway equivalent to food stamps and to raise the fare to a reasonable level than to have everyone pay artificially low fares for the sake of the few people who can't afford it. Incidentally, the exact same reasoning applies to the use of automobiles. --Ian Dchadwick,

As others have asked, is the subway a transportation system or is it a welfare system? Fares should be set at a level in accordance with reasonable operating costs. If that results in some people being unable to afford required transportation, then those people — and only those people — should be compensated through other means. It would be far better to have a subway equivalent to food stamps and to raise the fare to a reasonable level than to have everyone pay artificially low fares for the sake of the few people who can’t afford it.

Incidentally, the exact same reasoning applies to the use of automobiles.

–Ian

]]> By: Niccolo Machiavelli http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/comment-page-1/#comment-54125 Niccolo Machiavelli Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:48:43 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/#comment-54125 CLearly, paying 100% more for the fare would be very difficult for many poor and near poor in NYC. However, it would still be about 1/3 of the cost of a car, something for the most part wildly beyond their means (except the ones who Brodsky and Fidler represent). Still though, denying the system fare increases that approximate the inflation rate does tend to place public transit off into the welfare system where it went to be drowned in the bathtub after the fiscal crisis. Keeping public transit the welfare provider of last resort will not build the sort of system that everybody else will enjoy riding. Poor people have to have something though. I'll still ride it, but then again, I rode it in 1977. CLearly, paying 100% more for the fare would be very difficult for many poor and near poor in NYC. However, it would still be about 1/3 of the cost of a car, something for the most part wildly beyond their means (except the ones who Brodsky and Fidler represent). Still though, denying the system fare increases that approximate the inflation rate does tend to place public transit off into the welfare system where it went to be drowned in the bathtub after the fiscal crisis. Keeping public transit the welfare provider of last resort will not build the sort of system that everybody else will enjoy riding. Poor people have to have something though. I’ll still ride it, but then again, I rode it in 1977.

]]> By: dchadwick http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/comment-page-1/#comment-54120 dchadwick Fri, 25 Jul 2008 20:30:41 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/#comment-54120 The idea that working-class families can "easily" absorb another $80/month/person into their budgets seems to come from a fairly privileged vantage point. The idea that working-class families can “easily” absorb another $80/month/person into their budgets seems to come from a fairly privileged vantage point.

]]> By: matthew http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/comment-page-1/#comment-54119 matthew Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:48:07 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/#comment-54119 Oh, Norman, of all the battles you could be in, you're really gonna spend some energy on this?? Two f'ing parking spaces? But on the policy side, aren't CB motions only advisory to DOT? Can't they change signage however they want? Would there be any legal standing to overturn this? Oh, Norman, of all the battles you could be in, you’re really gonna spend some energy on this?? Two f’ing parking spaces?

But on the policy side, aren’t CB motions only advisory to DOT? Can’t they change signage however they want? Would there be any legal standing to overturn this?

]]> By: Spud Spudly http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/comment-page-1/#comment-54118 Spud Spudly Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:46:08 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/#comment-54118 The Port Authority doesn't like hydrogen powered vehicles in its tunnels or on the lower deck of the GW: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/20/automobiles/autosreviews/20AUTO.html?_r=3&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin Now there's a hurdle that will have to be resolved. The Port Authority doesn’t like hydrogen powered vehicles in its tunnels or on the lower deck of the GW:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/20/automobiles/autosreviews/20AUTO.html?_r=3&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Now there’s a hurdle that will have to be resolved.

]]> By: Charles Siegel http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/comment-page-1/#comment-54104 Charles Siegel Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:33:14 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/#comment-54104 "The people who design these atrocities should be ridiculed more often." Very true. Renzo Piano created a New York tradition when he designed the New York Times building with screening on the outside that acts as a ladder, making it easier for demonstrators to climb up the building. Try to be cool, and end up being ridiculous. “The people who design these atrocities should be ridiculed more often.”

Very true. Renzo Piano created a New York tradition when he designed the New York Times building with screening on the outside that acts as a ladder, making it easier for demonstrators to climb up the building. Try to be cool, and end up being ridiculous.

]]> By: Josh http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/comment-page-1/#comment-54094 Josh Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:19:34 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/#comment-54094 That thing about the woman suing over her "lost" parking is obnoxious. She's living on the upper west side (the real UWS, not the 175th street UWS you see in craigslist apartment postings) for $750/month and she's COMPLAINING? Give me a break. You don't like it, move somewhere else that there's more free parking. I hear Connecticut is nice. That thing about the woman suing over her “lost” parking is obnoxious. She’s living on the upper west side (the real UWS, not the 175th street UWS you see in craigslist apartment postings) for $750/month and she’s COMPLAINING? Give me a break. You don’t like it, move somewhere else that there’s more free parking. I hear Connecticut is nice.

]]> By: JP http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/comment-page-1/#comment-54083 JP Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:40:38 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/#comment-54083 "What if subway fares doubled?" Because I don't own a car, transportation and housing for my wife and I would still be only 26% of my income if the monthly pass doubled in price. I think the vast majority of the ridership could handle a fee increase like this (though there would have to be programs and rebates for those who couldn't afford it). Since farebox revenues cover about 50% of transit right now, would a doubling mean that the farebox would cover 75%? “What if subway fares doubled?” Because I don’t own a car, transportation and housing for my wife and I would still be only 26% of my income if the monthly pass doubled in price.

I think the vast majority of the ridership could handle a fee increase like this (though there would have to be programs and rebates for those who couldn’t afford it). Since farebox revenues cover about 50% of transit right now, would a doubling mean that the farebox would cover 75%?

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/comment-page-1/#comment-54080 Larry Littlefield Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:22:55 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/#comment-54080 "Justice Goodman, in a written ruling, noted that Ms. Tepler was 'seeking to restore to the community' three parking spots and appointed the civil rights lawyer Norman Siegel to represent Ms. Tepler pro bono and speak with the other parties to work out a settlement. Justice Goodman noted that she herself was a former member of Community Board 7 and also lives in the area (as does Mr. Siegel)." I love it. A lawsuit asserting a private right to use public space. Ms. Templer is the epitome of a real New York liberal Democrat of her generation. If Justice Goodman lives in a Mitchell-Lama, expect her to prevail. No settlement! I'd love to see this open appealed right up the line. “Justice Goodman, in a written ruling, noted that Ms. Tepler was ‘seeking to restore to the community’ three parking spots and appointed the civil rights lawyer Norman Siegel to represent Ms. Tepler pro bono and speak with the other parties to work out a settlement. Justice Goodman noted that she herself was a former member of Community Board 7 and also lives in the area (as does Mr. Siegel).”

I love it. A lawsuit asserting a private right to use public space. Ms. Templer is the epitome of a real New York liberal Democrat of her generation. If Justice Goodman lives in a Mitchell-Lama, expect her to prevail.

No settlement! I’d love to see this open appealed right up the line.

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/comment-page-1/#comment-54079 Larry Littlefield Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:16:28 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/#comment-54079 Town of East Hampton going broke. Yes that East Hampton. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=abSnNUZwDblU&refer=home "The Long Island sanctuary for the rich, where lobster salad sells for $85 a pound, has been hit by a double whammy: a tripling in workers' health costs since 2003, which officials failed to anticipate, and a 43 percent drop in revenue from mortgage taxes related to real estate sales in the first half of the year from 2007. Town officials for the first time plan to reduce the deficit by borrowing, after winning state approval for a $15 million bond sale." Not for capital investment, for operating costs. Moody's cut the towns credit rating four levels. So what does this have to do with Streetsblog? Unfortunately, when it comes to mass transit (or education or any other public service) this is really the only sort thing to talk about that isn't a joke, and will be for several years. Bicycles -- very low public capital costs, zero public operating costs. Town of East Hampton going broke. Yes that East Hampton.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=abSnNUZwDblU&refer=home

“The Long Island sanctuary for the rich, where lobster salad sells for $85 a pound, has been hit by a double whammy: a tripling in workers’ health costs since 2003, which officials failed to anticipate, and a 43 percent drop in revenue from mortgage taxes related to real estate sales in the first half of the year from 2007. Town officials for the first time plan to reduce the deficit by borrowing, after winning state approval for a $15 million bond sale.”

Not for capital investment, for operating costs. Moody’s cut the towns credit rating four levels.

So what does this have to do with Streetsblog? Unfortunately, when it comes to mass transit (or education or any other public service) this is really the only sort thing to talk about that isn’t a joke, and will be for several years.

Bicycles — very low public capital costs, zero public operating costs.

]]> By: mike http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/comment-page-1/#comment-54078 mike Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:07:31 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/#comment-54078 Geez, why can't our architects build any good-looking buildings anymore? I'm not surprised that the Times loved them -- Oursoussoff and his ilk wouldn't know a good building if it hit them in their heads. Geez, why can’t our architects build any good-looking buildings anymore? I’m not surprised that the Times loved them — Oursoussoff and his ilk wouldn’t know a good building if it hit them in their heads.

]]> By: Mark Walker http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/comment-page-1/#comment-54077 Mark Walker Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:49:09 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/todays-headlines-451/#comment-54077 The three Port Authority tower designs were a laugh riot on last night's CW11 news, as anchor Jim Watkins read descriptions of the designs very similar to the ones printed in the Times. He got through the first one's "icy gleam" OK, but had trouble with the second one's "curtain walls," and by the time he got to the third one's "four discrete boxes," he and coanchor Kaity Tong were cracking up. The people who design these atrocities should be ridiculed more often. I wonder which one will end up as a Kunstler Eyesore of the Month? The three Port Authority tower designs were a laugh riot on last night’s CW11 news, as anchor Jim Watkins read descriptions of the designs very similar to the ones printed in the Times. He got through the first one’s “icy gleam” OK, but had trouble with the second one’s “curtain walls,” and by the time he got to the third one’s “four discrete boxes,” he and coanchor Kaity Tong were cracking up. The people who design these atrocities should be ridiculed more often. I wonder which one will end up as a Kunstler Eyesore of the Month?

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