The MTA in New York City is again increasing fares for its passengers in the midst of a huge budget crisis spurred by lower revenues and decreased state subsidies. The New York Times reports on the situation. Budget issues - I get it. People have to pay for their use of public transportation - okay. I'm a liberal socialist because I think that we should have better public transit - fine. Whatever. It's stuff like THIS:
A toll increase on the authority’s nine tunnels and bridges was also proposed, but the board will not vote on that plan until Oct. 27. Drivers who pay cash potentially face an increase of 30 percent or higher, while E-ZPass drivers may not pay any increase at all, under a proposal gaining momentum on the board.
that get me the most though. A 17% increase on 30-day passcard holders - people who use public transit the most and pollute via car emissions the least in the city - but NO increase for people who cross the bridge so frequently that they can't be bothered to pull out some cash and wait in line and who arguably pollute the most via car emissions.
Yes, this makes a lot of sense. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it doesn't make sense. It does, given a certain set of circumstances and beliefs (which I do not hold.) Essentially, this set of policies promotes car usage at the expense of public transit usage, promotes emissions pollution instead of a better environment, and reinforces the current car-centric, unsustainable nature of our cities.
On a related note, NJ governor Chris Christie today also killed off an expansion to the Hudson Tunnel that would have increased train capacity into Manhattan from NJ. I'd say it was a great day for public transportation in the New York Metro Area.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment