Comments on: Quick Impressions of the MTA’s Sustainability Report http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/01/08/quick-impressions-of-the-mtas-sustainability-report/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:07:22 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Ian Turner http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/01/08/quick-impressions-of-the-mtas-sustainability-report/comment-page-1/#comment-61460 Ian Turner Fri, 09 Jan 2009 17:02:49 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5222#comment-61460 The MTA is already one of the most sustainable and environmental institutions in the country. By removing millions of automobiles from our roads each day, the subway improves the environment in ways unimaginable through any other means. The MTA is already one of the most sustainable and environmental institutions in the country. By removing millions of automobiles from our roads each day, the subway improves the environment in ways unimaginable through any other means.

]]> By: puhleeze http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/01/08/quick-impressions-of-the-mtas-sustainability-report/comment-page-1/#comment-61459 puhleeze Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:09:55 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5222#comment-61459 Give me a break. Sustainability by 2050? The MTA might as well say that they'll install teleporters by then. They can't even figure out how to clean the subway system, provide useful messaging, or install working elevators. This is just a PR sham. Give me a break. Sustainability by 2050? The MTA might as well say that they'll install teleporters by then. They can't even figure out how to clean the subway system, provide useful messaging, or install working elevators. This is just a PR sham.

]]> By: infirm http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/01/08/quick-impressions-of-the-mtas-sustainability-report/comment-page-1/#comment-61458 infirm Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:45:55 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5222#comment-61458 If it's studying environment & sustainability & whatnot, wouldn't it in fact be a GREEN ribbon commission har har har sorry. If it's studying environment & sustainability & whatnot, wouldn't it in fact be a GREEN ribbon commission har har har sorry.

]]> By: vnm http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/01/08/quick-impressions-of-the-mtas-sustainability-report/comment-page-1/#comment-61447 vnm Fri, 09 Jan 2009 03:17:05 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5222#comment-61447 The most important recommendation in this report, the one with the most profound implications for livable streets, is the recommendation that at least 25% of the revenue from a carbon tax or a cap-and-trade system should help fund public transit. The most important recommendation in this report, the one with the most profound implications for livable streets, is the recommendation that at least 25% of the revenue from a carbon tax or a cap-and-trade system should help fund public transit.

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/01/08/quick-impressions-of-the-mtas-sustainability-report/comment-page-1/#comment-61437 Larry Littlefield Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:03:20 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5222#comment-61437 While one little group at the MTA was thinking about sustainability, the system was being bankrupted financially. (What greener could the MTA possibly do than run trains?) Exactly. Transit-oriented development isn't up to the MTA, and only works if there is transit. A couple of things the agency could do: One is promote dynamic carpooling as a part of the transit system, one that works where mass transit does not, because it doesn't require a mass. I submitted a business plan to their suggestion program when I worked there. They gave me an award for it, but nothing happened. Since the drivers would purchase the cars, the city would provide the roads, and the riders would pay a fee to the drivers, there would be little public cost, WHICH IS THE CRITERIA FOR ANY SERIOUS PROPOSAL FOR THE INDEFINATE FUTURE. Second -- bicycles connection to transit, as an alternative to the money losing-bus system that will collapse with the rest of public services. Limited public capital costs, no public operating costs. You've got the low-cost solution right on this blog. The MTA seems to be waking up to this. People just don't get what is coming. The worst case economic and fiscal scenarios are damn awful, and almost no one seems to get it. While one little group at the MTA was thinking about sustainability, the system was being bankrupted financially.

(What greener could the MTA possibly do than run trains?)

Exactly. Transit-oriented development isn't up to the MTA, and only works if there is transit.

A couple of things the agency could do:

One is promote dynamic carpooling as a part of the transit system, one that works where mass transit does not, because it doesn't require a mass. I submitted a business plan to their suggestion program when I worked there. They gave me an award for it, but nothing happened. Since the drivers would purchase the cars, the city would provide the roads, and the riders would pay a fee to the drivers, there would be little public cost, WHICH IS THE CRITERIA FOR ANY SERIOUS PROPOSAL FOR THE INDEFINATE FUTURE.

Second -- bicycles connection to transit, as an alternative to the money losing-bus system that will collapse with the rest of public services. Limited public capital costs, no public operating costs. You've got the low-cost solution right on this blog. The MTA seems to be waking up to this.

People just don't get what is coming. The worst case economic and fiscal scenarios are damn awful, and almost no one seems to get it.

]]> By: Niccolo Machiavelli http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/01/08/quick-impressions-of-the-mtas-sustainability-report/comment-page-1/#comment-61432 Niccolo Machiavelli Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:16:10 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5222#comment-61432 Are fluff and substance the only two choices Adam? I think its kind of funny coming in a context of service cuts. What greener could the MTA possibly do than run trains? Are fluff and substance the only two choices Adam? I think its kind of funny coming in a context of service cuts. What greener could the MTA possibly do than run trains?

]]> By: Adam http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/01/08/quick-impressions-of-the-mtas-sustainability-report/comment-page-1/#comment-61428 Adam Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:54:17 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5222#comment-61428 I looked at the report in one of its later draft stages. Internally the document doesn't provide much direction to the operating units of the various MTA agencies. It's full of much more ambition and big ideas than a path forward. Most of the recommendations aren't even under the MTA's control. Rather its more of a laundry wishlist. Where this document can hopefully succeed is in creating the dialogue among the public and the politicians about the value of the MTA in a 'green' economy, and from that could spring some new initiatives. I'm interested in hearing what others think of this report. Is this fluff or substance? Will politicians listen to the recommendations? I looked at the report in one of its later draft stages. Internally the document doesn't provide much direction to the operating units of the various MTA agencies. It's full of much more ambition and big ideas than a path forward. Most of the recommendations aren't even under the MTA's control. Rather its more of a laundry wishlist. Where this document can hopefully succeed is in creating the dialogue among the public and the politicians about the value of the MTA in a 'green' economy, and from that could spring some new initiatives.

I'm interested in hearing what others think of this report. Is this fluff or substance? Will politicians listen to the recommendations?

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