Comments on: Bloomberg 2009 Unveils a Transit Platform, But No Way to Pay for It http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/08/03/bloomberg-2009-unveils-a-transit-platform-but-no-way-to-pay-for-it/ 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: herenthere http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/08/03/bloomberg-2009-unveils-a-transit-platform-but-no-way-to-pay-for-it/comment-page-1/#comment-94691 herenthere Wed, 05 Aug 2009 03:13:25 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=22121#comment-94691 Go Bloomberg but bus tracking tech: that's a laugh... Go Bloomberg but bus tracking tech: that’s a laugh…

]]> By: dw http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/08/03/bloomberg-2009-unveils-a-transit-platform-but-no-way-to-pay-for-it/comment-page-1/#comment-94211 dw Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:50:56 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=22121#comment-94211 I find it very interesting that Mayor Bloomberg is proposing that the MTA crosstown busses be free of charge after his proposterous congestion pricing plan fell flat. This supposed MTA "overhall" is another hollow campaign promise from the Mayor. As a volunteer for the Bill Thompson for Mayor campaign I have seen fisthand how much Comptroller Thompson cares about the middle and working class people that make New York City a great place to live. After 8 long years of Mayor Bloomberg, it is time that we elect Bill Thompson the next Mayor of New York City. I find it very interesting that Mayor Bloomberg is proposing that the MTA crosstown busses be free of charge after his proposterous congestion pricing plan fell flat. This supposed MTA “overhall” is another hollow campaign promise from the Mayor. As a volunteer for the Bill Thompson for Mayor campaign I have seen fisthand how much Comptroller Thompson cares about the middle and working class people that make New York City a great place to live. After 8 long years of Mayor Bloomberg, it is time that we elect Bill Thompson the next Mayor of New York City.

]]> By: Ed Ravin http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/08/03/bloomberg-2009-unveils-a-transit-platform-but-no-way-to-pay-for-it/comment-page-1/#comment-93881 Ed Ravin Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:17:41 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=22121#comment-93881 The mayor's free bus service plan seems to be straight out of the Kheel plan, right down to the claim that faster crosstown buses mean less buses to provide the same service. Of course, the Kheel plan proposed to speed buses by two means - free fare AND reduced traffic due to motorist fees like congestion pricing or the Ravitch toll plan. Has the mayor's folks done any number-crunching on this or did they just cut-and-paste a couple of paragraphs from Kheel into their campaign platform? The mayor’s free bus service plan seems to be straight out of the Kheel plan, right down to the claim that faster crosstown buses mean less buses to provide the same service. Of course, the Kheel plan proposed to speed buses by two means – free fare AND reduced traffic due to motorist fees like congestion pricing or the Ravitch toll plan. Has the mayor’s folks done any number-crunching on this or did they just cut-and-paste a couple of paragraphs from Kheel into their campaign platform?

]]> By: J. Mork http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/08/03/bloomberg-2009-unveils-a-transit-platform-but-no-way-to-pay-for-it/comment-page-1/#comment-93831 J. Mork Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:53:25 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=22121#comment-93831 Free bus service is great (too bad we can't get all Kheel on it and make all buses free). But the one that I really like is to increase bus service in off-peak times by using smaller vehicles. This could break the catch-22 of "we made that bus infrequent because no one rides it because it's so infrequent...." Free bus service is great (too bad we can’t get all Kheel on it and make all buses free).

But the one that I really like is to increase bus service in off-peak times by using smaller vehicles. This could break the catch-22 of “we made that bus infrequent because no one rides it because it’s so infrequent….”

]]> By: Marge Farrow http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/08/03/bloomberg-2009-unveils-a-transit-platform-but-no-way-to-pay-for-it/comment-page-1/#comment-93731 Marge Farrow Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:01:11 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=22121#comment-93731 Bloomberg's also proposing the reopening of LIRR stations on a line that doesn't go into Manhattan. This guy is losing it. Bloomberg’s also proposing the reopening of LIRR stations on a line that doesn’t go into Manhattan. This guy is losing it.

]]> By: oscarfrye http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/08/03/bloomberg-2009-unveils-a-transit-platform-but-no-way-to-pay-for-it/comment-page-1/#comment-93551 oscarfrye Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:20:20 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=22121#comment-93551 Of course he has the power to enact none of this. So just empty campaign promises how bout promising to take control of nyc transit so that its run by, you know, nyc? Of course he has the power to enact none of this. So just empty campaign promises

how bout promising to take control of nyc transit so that its run by, you know, nyc?

]]> By: Peter Smith http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/08/03/bloomberg-2009-unveils-a-transit-platform-but-no-way-to-pay-for-it/comment-page-1/#comment-93511 Peter Smith Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:26:24 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=22121#comment-93511 free bus service -- now we're talking. nobody should have to pay for bus service. hopefully the service can be extended to all transit. free bus service — now we’re talking. nobody should have to pay for bus service. hopefully the service can be extended to all transit.

]]> By: BikingViking http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/08/03/bloomberg-2009-unveils-a-transit-platform-but-no-way-to-pay-for-it/comment-page-1/#comment-93501 BikingViking Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:17:02 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=22121#comment-93501 Um... if we're just listing bullet points from campaign web sights shouldn't we give other candidates some space too? ...................................................................................... As Comptroller, Bill Thompson: Opposed the massive MTA fare hikes, and called for adjusting the distribution formulas for MTA Bridges and Tunnels. Opposed hikes in MTA Access-A-Ride fares. Joined a coalition of State and City elected officials in opposing tolls on the East and Harlem River bridges. Proposed weight-based transit-dedicated registration fees for new vehicles that would raise $350 million dollars from the city and $1 billion from the 12-county MTA region. Advocated for the reinstatement of the commuter tax, which could generate $2 billion dollars annually for the subways, buses, and commuter rails. Published a report of the MTA Capital Expenditures plan, which found that New York City Transit is not getting its fair share of Metropolitan Transportation Authority Core Capital funding. Recommended peak and off-peak pricing at area airports. (http://www.thompson2009.com/issues/archive/transportation/) ........................................................................................ And of course Rev. Billy is running on the Green Party Ticket We want to get New Yorkers where they need and want to go with efficiency and ease by implementing free mass transit and congestion pricing. (http://www.voterevbilly.org/platform) Um… if we’re just listing bullet points from campaign web sights shouldn’t we give other candidates some space too?

…………………………………………………………………………..
As Comptroller, Bill Thompson:

Opposed the massive MTA fare hikes, and called for adjusting the distribution formulas for MTA Bridges and Tunnels.

Opposed hikes in MTA Access-A-Ride fares.

Joined a coalition of State and City elected officials in opposing tolls on the East and Harlem River bridges.

Proposed weight-based transit-dedicated registration fees for new vehicles that would raise $350 million dollars from the city and $1 billion from the 12-county MTA region.

Advocated for the reinstatement of the commuter tax, which could generate $2 billion dollars annually for the subways, buses, and commuter rails.

Published a report of the MTA Capital Expenditures plan, which found that New York City Transit is not getting its fair share of Metropolitan Transportation Authority Core Capital funding.

Recommended peak and off-peak pricing at area airports.
(http://www.thompson2009.com/issues/archive/transportation/)
…………………………………………………………………………….

And of course Rev. Billy is running on the Green Party Ticket

We want to get New Yorkers where they need and want to go with efficiency and ease by implementing free mass transit and congestion pricing.

(http://www.voterevbilly.org/platform)

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/08/03/bloomberg-2009-unveils-a-transit-platform-but-no-way-to-pay-for-it/comment-page-1/#comment-93431 Larry Littlefield Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:06:25 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=22121#comment-93431 Well I guess one could hardly have an election platform that indicates what transit service to eliminate or degrade, which would be more honest. Private vans seem to make money, albeit at the expense of workers who only get paid while working and have no pension other than Social Security like most of their customers. As we've discussed here, I suppose if an effort was made to make the subway, LIRR and Metro North cover their costs, including fare hikes, then perhaps subsidies could diverted to buses which could be free. I wonder how many bus riders transfer to or from the subway or commuter rail, are school children who ride free, or are disabled who ride for half price, and how much revenue is left? Well I guess one could hardly have an election platform that indicates what transit service to eliminate or degrade, which would be more honest.

Private vans seem to make money, albeit at the expense of workers who only get paid while working and have no pension other than Social Security like most of their customers.

As we’ve discussed here, I suppose if an effort was made to make the subway, LIRR and Metro North cover their costs, including fare hikes, then perhaps subsidies could diverted to buses which could be free. I wonder how many bus riders transfer to or from the subway or commuter rail, are school children who ride free, or are disabled who ride for half price, and how much revenue is left?

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