I think even NYC has a long way to go before such an idea gets off the ground. The concept is just so alien–even in a neighborhood like mine where at least half of the residents don’t own a car. The American Dream specifies that people who don’t own a car are just poor folks who can’t afford one. The notion that someone would choose to live that way is unthinkable.

Here’s a Google Maps view of the car-free neighborhood of Vauban, described in the NYT article. If I’m not mistaken it’s bordered by Merzhauer Strasse on the east, Weisenstalstrasse on the north, what appear to be train tracks on the northwest, and a line of trees to the south. There do still appear to be some cars, but not many.

Yes, if it’s one thing downtowns need, it’s more parking; there are still traces of activity there to stamp out.

Which only shows how repeated the “save the fare” theatrics followed by massive increases and system deterioration have been.

In the end, the fare has gone up far more than inflation despite growing subsidies — because when the fare is being held down by debt the general public ignores costs and everyone else grabs all they can, over and over.