Comments on: New DOT Measuring Stick Highlights Need for Transit and Bike Investment http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/16/new-dot-measuring-stick-highlights-need-for-transit-and-bike-investment/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:31:30 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: rex http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/16/new-dot-measuring-stick-highlights-need-for-transit-and-bike-investment/comment-page-1/#comment-60598 rex Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:01:27 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5139#comment-60598 Where the heck is Bloomberg on transit? I have not heard anything of substance from that guy on the MTA situation. The results are in and NYC cannot thrive without a viable transit system. In fact, the better the transit system is the better the city. Duh, it is going to cost some money to get out of this mess. Let's see some leadership Mayor, my vote may depend on it. Where the heck is Bloomberg on transit? I have not heard anything of substance from that guy on the MTA situation.

The results are in and NYC cannot thrive without a viable transit system. In fact, the better the transit system is the better the city. Duh, it is going to cost some money to get out of this mess. Let's see some leadership Mayor, my vote may depend on it.

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/16/new-dot-measuring-stick-highlights-need-for-transit-and-bike-investment/comment-page-1/#comment-60587 Larry Littlefield Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:40:22 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5139#comment-60587 What this highlights is that we can't afford transit so with better shift some of the federal "stimulus" dollars available to bike, which has no public operating costs. Investing in bus means an ongoing increase in local costs, because buses run at a massive operating deficit which (unlike the subway) no amount of fare increase, operating effeciencies, and dumping costs from the past could close. It is only worth suggesting things that cost little up front and save money in the long run, when we will be poorer. What this highlights is that we can't afford transit so with better shift some of the federal "stimulus" dollars available to bike, which has no public operating costs.

Investing in bus means an ongoing increase in local costs, because buses run at a massive operating deficit which (unlike the subway) no amount of fare increase, operating effeciencies, and dumping costs from the past could close.

It is only worth suggesting things that cost little up front and save money in the long run, when we will be poorer.

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/16/new-dot-measuring-stick-highlights-need-for-transit-and-bike-investment/comment-page-1/#comment-60586 Larry Littlefield Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:33:31 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5139#comment-60586 The proposed state budget cuts state operating aid to the MTA by 10.2%, while reducing aid to other transit agencies by a smaller percentage. http://publications.budget.state.ny.us/eBudget0910/fy0910littlebook/Transportation.html That's $256 million in additional red ink not included in the "doomsday plan." General aid to NYC is eliminated; general aid to muncipalities elsewhere (from the poorest to the most affluent) is frozen, a loss of $350 million to NYC. Something to consider when asking NYC to make up the difference. The proposed state budget cuts state operating aid to the MTA by 10.2%, while reducing aid to other transit agencies by a smaller percentage.

http://publications.budget.state.ny.us/eBudget0910/fy0910littlebook/Transportation.html

That's $256 million in additional red ink not included in the "doomsday plan."

General aid to NYC is eliminated; general aid to muncipalities elsewhere (from the poorest to the most affluent) is frozen, a loss of $350 million to NYC. Something to consider when asking NYC to make up the difference.

]]> By: Where's Bruce http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/16/new-dot-measuring-stick-highlights-need-for-transit-and-bike-investment/comment-page-1/#comment-60585 Where's Bruce Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:11:53 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5139#comment-60585 The GPS units are already in all yellow cabs. DOT just hasnt had time to fully analyze the data yet. How did you manage to write this piece without mentioning DOT's Bruce Schaller? Bruce wrote the report as DOT's Deputy Commissioner for Planning, and prior to that helped inspire the reporting legislation as a consultant to T.A. and other transit groups. The GPS units are already in all yellow cabs. DOT just hasnt had time to fully analyze the data yet. How did you manage to write this piece without mentioning DOT's Bruce Schaller? Bruce wrote the report as DOT's Deputy Commissioner for Planning, and prior to that helped inspire the reporting legislation as a consultant to T.A. and other transit groups.

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