Mobilizing the Region

Governor Andrew Cuomo and state legislators will face immediate transportation challenges in 2011.

New York transportation agencies might have hoped for a reprieve from the tough budgetary environment of 2009. 2010 was hardly a respite, however, as governments throughout the region continued to be squeezed by the economic downturn. The overall story of 2010 was one of fare hikes, service cuts, and diminished expectations. But advocates were able to win several policy reforms, and leaders like NYCDOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan and MTA Chairman Jay Walder had success in adapting to hard times. Here are some of the themes from the year:

State and Local Policy Reform

During the first half of the year, advocates repeatedly trekked to Albany to press for policy reform. By the close of session, the Legislature had passed a statewide smart growth bill, given NYC the ability to use bus lane enforcement cameras, and made life a little safer for pedestrians through the passage of Hayley and Diego’s Law (which created penalties for careless driving) and Elle’s Law (which strengthened penalties for reckless drivers that injure or kill a pedestrian).  One major priority that wasn’t reached this year was a state complete streets bill, but advocates succeeded in pushing it up the agenda; the bill has some level of support from incoming governor Andrew Cuomo.

And while proponents of complete streets came up just short at the state level in 2010, they poured just as much energy into local reform. Partnering with smart local leaders, advocates used data in Babylon, Islip, and Brookhaven; a health-focused approach in Kingston; and a locally oriented strategy in Elizabethtown to win passage of complete streets policies in all five municipalities.

Infrastructure Needs Not Met

Funding is an issue at all of the state’s major transportation agencies. Coming into 2010, NYSDOT had already drafted a five-year capital spending program that was clearly fiscally constrained. But under orders from Gov. Paterson, the agency released an even smaller capital program which will not hold the line on bridge repair and cuts smart growth programs.  The MTA goes into 2011 without funding for capital projects in 2012 and beyond.  In November, Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch released a report which found that the state would need to come up with another $1.3 billion a year in dedicated revenue to support the MTA and NYSDOT capital plans.  At the end of the year, the Port Authority released an underwhelming budget that largely maintains the status quo.

Jay Walder Takes Charge at the MTA

In January, new MTA Chairman Jay Walder released a strategic plan based on his first 100 days on the job. Its title fit right with the spirit of the times: “Making Every Dollar Count.” The agency subsequently used administrative streamlinings resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in savings.

But a transportation funding plan put together by elected officials in 2009, which had been seen as barely sufficient, proved to be even less sufficient than that, as dedicated transit taxes continued to bring in less revenue than predicted.  Politicians swept $160 million from the supposedly dedicated taxes into the state budget. The result was a gaping budget hole.  The MTA eventually relented in an attempt to cut or have NYC and the state pick up more of the cost of providing free NYC student MetroCards. But the worst service cuts in decades, along with a 7.5% fare increase that went into effect at the end of the year, will hardly endear the agency to its riders.

Transit riders have benefited from the new common-sense approach Walder has brought to technology projects, however. For example, the MTA has rolled out subway countdown clocks that use existing technology, instead of waiting for more expensive solutions managers wanted before Walder’s arrival.  The MTA also released transit data to developers, allowing third parties to develop smartphone apps and websites at essentially no cost, and promised drivers faster commutes with nonstop tolls at the Henry Hudson Bridge. » Continue reading…