Last year, the above ad was displayed on the sides of NYC Transit buses and caught the attention of motorists, pedestrians, and bus riders alike. Last month, the ad, produced by Robbett Advocacy Media with input from the Campaign for New York’s Future and Empire State Transportation Alliance, was recognized as one of [...]]]>

Last year, the above ad was displayed on the sides of NYC Transit buses and caught the attention of motorists, pedestrians, and bus riders alike. Last month, the ad, produced by Robbett Advocacy Media with input from the Campaign for New York’s Future and Empire State Transportation Alliance, was recognized as one of the best public affairs ads of the year by the American Association of Political Consultants. (Its most recent ad is pretty good, too.)

The AAPC describes their Pollie Awards as “the political and public affairs industry’s Academy Awards.” Sadly, this ad has a similarity to an award-winning movie: it’s just as relevant today. The ad called attention to traffic congestion on NYC’s streets and the need to support an affordable and efficient mass transit system. That need is still present, with just over a month to go before steep fare hikes take effect on the MTA’s transit agencies and little apparent progress towards any sort of resolution.

TSTC congratulates Robbett Advocacy Media on a well deserved honor. Hopefully we’ll soon be congratulating Albany for passing a balanced transit funding plan.

Between 2005 [...]]]> Older tri-state residents bear a significantly higher risk of being killed as a pedestrian than do their younger neighbors, or their cohorts in the rest of the country, according to a new analysis released today by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign. (See TSTC fact sheets and downstate NY, NJ, and Conn. press releases.)

Between 2005 and 2007, 407 pedestrians aged 65 years and older were killed on the tri-state region’s roads. People aged 65 years and older made up 12 percent of the region’s population but accounted for 27 percent of the total pedestrian fatalities during the three-year period. Those aged 75 years and older represent just 6 percent of the region’s population, but more than 17 percent of pedestrian deaths.

“Clearly, older tri-state residents are suffering disproportionately,” said William Stoner of the New York AARP. “Making our streets safe and livable to accommodate our aging population will require taking a close look at the infrastructure of our communities.”

Nationwide, pedestrian collision is the fifth-leading cause of accidental death for people aged 65 and older. Pedestrian fatality rates for older Americans are more than 70 percent higher than for those under 65 years of age.

But the disparities in the tri-state region are even greater, with pedestrian fatality rates for people 65 years and older more than three times the rate for those younger than 65 years. People 75 years and older suffer a fatality rate that is more than four times that of their younger neighbors.

While older Manhattan residents suffered the highest regional pedestrian fatality rates, the issue is clearly not just an urban one, as suburban Atlantic County (NJ) and Nassau County (NY) ranked a close second and third in the region. Staten Island was fourth.

NYSDOT Responds to Report, Announces SafeSeniors Program

Responding to the Campaign’s new analysis, New York Gov. David Paterson and NYSDOT Commissioner Astrid Glynn have just announced a new federally-funded program aimed at improving pedestrian safety for older New Yorkers. Modeled after NYCDOT’s forward-thinking Safe Streets for Seniors program, the statewide SafeSeniors program will employ techniques such as higher visibility pavement markings, longer intersection crossing times, countdown signals, better street lighting and pedestrian education programs to make it safer and easier for seniors to walk.

“Every New Yorker deserves to live in a safe community, and the implementation of these important safety initiatives throughout New York State will not only provide peace of mind to some of New York’s most vulnerable residents, but will make conditions on local roads safer for all pedestrians,” said Governor Paterson.

Nassau County’s Hempstead Turnpike and Route 25/25A in Suffolk County have been selected by NYSDOT as pilot locations for the SafeSeniors program. MTR readers will remember that these roads were identified by the Campaign in October as the state’s most- and 13th-most-dangerous roads for pedestrians.

Building a Greener Future The New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) PlaNYC [...]]]> Three recently released publications will be powerful tools in shaping transportation policy in New York City beyond the Bloomberg Administration. Two are progress reports on Mayor Bloomberg’s 127-point sustainability agenda, PlaNYC; the other is the NYC Department of Transportation’s strategic plan.

Building a Greener Future
The New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) PlaNYC progress report, Building a Greener Future, finds few achievements to hail on the transportation front because Mayor Bloomberg’s heavy reliance on congestion pricing as the tool to reduce gridlock precluded other traffic mitigation measures such as expansion of metered parking or reducing parking requirements in the City’s Zoning Resolution. The League, along with others in the advocacy community, calls for a long term vision for transportation planning that goes further than the current administration, into the next mayoralty and beyond. To do this, the NYLCV emphasizes the need to codify legislative guidelines and offices created during Bloomberg’s tenure that are making progress towards a more sustainable NYC.

The report also asks the City to increase its operating support to the MTA to help end the agency’s cycle of borrowing from the capital program to pay for operating expenses.

Progress on PlaNYC
A second report, released by Mayor Bloomberg on Earth Day, one year after the PlaNYC, was first announced, details the City’s efforts to fulfill the 127 initiatives of the plan. There is significant mention of the demise of congestion pricing in the Assembly and the dire funding situation for mass transit as a consequence. Most notable are improvements made to Select Bus Service (or the City’s BRT program) with the first route launching in the Bronx this June; the launch of a Transit Signal Priority System which will be used to move buses through congested intersections; a pilot ferry service this spring from the Rockaways to Manhattan; 60 miles of new bicycle lanes; an HOV lane on the Manhattan Bridge; three new bus stop designs and two new sidewalk designs to improve pedestrian /transit street transfers; 800 new bicycle racks; and 550 new Muni Meters. The report also forecasts milestones to be completed through 2009, setting up an important foundation for what we should be working towards in future years.

Strategic Thinking at NYCDOT
The New York City DOT is also establishing a strong foundation for future work. On Monday, the agency unveiled a strategic plan to a packed house at the Municipal Art Society. The impressive plan outlines a full agenda for the short time remaining in Mayor Bloomberg’s term and takes strides to guarantee the continuity and ongoing success of progress made. In her presentation, NYC DOT Commissioner Sadik-Khan eschewed bland comparisons with other cities, instead claiming that the plan, “Sustainable Streets: 2008 and Beyond,” will be the framework for “The New York City Model” of a livable city. Highlights include:

- Cutting traffic fatalities in half by 2030 by increasing enforcement of traffic laws, including the expanded use of red light and speed cameras, and through pedestrian infrastructure improvements.

- Doubling the number of bicycle commuters by 2015 and triple the number by 2020.

- Implementing two BRT lines in the next year and a half and the implementation of three more after 2010. Commissioner Sadik-Khan recently presented the city’s BRT plan at a symposium hosted by TSTC, the Pratt Center, Straphangers Campaign and Transportation Alternatives.

- Creating quality public space by creating 4 new plazas a year, ultimately creating one in each community board. In addition, Broadway, Fordham Road and Main Street, Flushing will be transformed into main streets and community focal points. Using complete street design, these corridors will optimize public space and pedestrian friendly features – including 20 new automated pay toilets.

- Opening up the limited access parkways to trucks to reduce truck traffic on neighborhood streets. The initial parkway candidates are the Grand Central, Henry Hudson and the Belt Parkway.

On the institutional side, the agency hopes to reach out and train community leaders, overhaul their data collection (including the specific development of tools to track congestion relief, BRT and bicycling) and attract and retain staff that embraces innovation and livable streets concepts.

The report provides some perspective on how far NYC has come and how important it is to continue the good trends, no matter who is calling the shots. Just two years ago, the Campaign was criticizing NYC DOT’s many failures under previous Commissioner Iris Weinshall. (See, for example: “City’s Credibility on Transportation Ebbs,” April 4, 2006; “Limited Input for NYC Rapid Bus Study,” June 8, 2005; “Brooklynites Say City has Failed Traffic Challenge,” July 26, 2006). Today, a new era is upon us.

Image: Cover of NYCDOT’s “Sustainable Streets: 2008 and Beyond”

Writing in Gristmill, environmental economist Charles Komanoff gives his answers to the question of [...]]]> After the defeat of congestion pricing, many in the transportation advocacy community are facing two questions. Why did New York fail to pass congestion pricing? What can advocates do now? Two TSTC board members recently sought to answer those questions.

Writing in Gristmill, environmental economist Charles Komanoff gives his answers to the question of why congestion pricing didn’t make it through the state legislature. His top ten list of reasons includes individuals (such as pricing foe Assm. Richard Brodsky and his “stream of counterfactual arguments”), freak events (like the Spitzer scandal and Manhattan crane collapse), and messaging mishaps (such as an initial focus on improved traffic in the central business district even though many neighborhoods outside of Manhattan would have seen major traffic relief under the plan). Ultimately, he points to the inherent difficulty of disrupting the status quo (especially on the first try), even when the status quo is underfunded and under-maintained transit, choking traffic, and unhealthy air.

Straphangers Campaign staff attorney Gene Russianoff, in yesterday’s New York Times, lists some initiatives requiring city and state action that advocates can push for now. First and foremost he points to the yawning gap in the MTA’s 2008-2013 capital program, which is now at least $13.5 billion. Gov. Paterson yesterday announced the creation of a panel to study this very issue. Russianoff calls on the state to authorize bus lane enforcement cameras and a residential parking permit program in NYC, and asks the city to encourage parking turnover through higher meter prices and continue to crack down on fake parking placards.

Taken one by one, these ideas may seem incremental. But, as congestion pricing would have, each of these actions tackles the overriding goals of creating a more robust and convenient transit system, reducing traffic congestion, and improving air quality. As so many have said over the past few days, the challenges facing New York have not changed. Neither have the goals of the advocacy community.

“Mr. Silver has now ensured the uncertain future of an already strained mass transit system and the continued growing problems of gridlock and tailpipe emissions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.” [...]]]> Members of the press and elected officials had harsh words for state legislators after Albany failed to vote on congestion pricing. A sampling of responses:

“Mr. Silver has now ensured the uncertain future of an already strained mass transit system and the continued growing problems of gridlock and tailpipe emissions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.” – New York Times editorial

“Silver’s Democrats suffocated the bill in private. They didn’t vote publicly. They didn’t vote privately. They let the midnight Monday deadline pass without taking any action at all. What a bunch of wimps.” -New York Daily News columnist Bill Hammond

“Silver’s Assembly Democrats put New Yorkers in severe jeopardy of riding deteriorating mass transportation – and paying increasing fares for the privilege. Because those are the consequences looming over millions of people in the city and across the region with the rejection of congestion pricing.” – New York Daily News editorial

“The cynicism and dysfunction of Albany have reached new depths, with the apparent murder of the congestion pricing plan sought by environmentalists, businesses and Mayor Michael Bloomberg.” -Newsday editorial

“Sadly, even Washington, which most Americans agree is completely dysfunctional, is more willing to try new approaches to longstanding problems than our elected officials in the State Assembly. It takes true leadership and courage to embrace new concepts and ideas and to be willing to try something.” – Mayor Michael Bloomberg

“There’s no question now that there are going to be less resources available for everyone in the MTA region. It would’ve been easier to accomplish more for the transit needs of the people of Staten Island if this plan had been adopted.” – City Councilmember Michael McMahon (D-Staten Island)

“When people complain there are not enough trains and buses, you can point to all the state Assembly members. It was right at their doorstep and they did not stand up for New York City.” -City Councilmember Robert Jackson (D-Manhattan)

“I am disappointed and dismayed that New Yorkers will be deprived of the many environmental and public transportation benefits that would have been provided by congestion pricing. It is abundantly clear that New York City needs to address the overload of cars entering Manhattan everyday.” -State Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan)

“One thing about smog and pollution, they could not care less about how small-minded and shortsighted our politicians are. … Really, they just care about sickening and killing New Yorkers, the rest of the nonsense be damned. Their dark work received a big boost yesterday from a familiar source – the Legislature.” – Journal News editorial

“As for those who are celebrating the defeat of congestion-pricing, we wonder what they plan to do next. After all, the horrendous traffic will still be there in Manhattan, choking streets and the lungs of everyone who breathes.” – Staten Island Advance editorial

The New York State Assembly failed to bring congestion pricing to a vote yesterday, forfeiting $354 million in federal money for improved transit service, a long-term source of transit funding, faster commutes for subway and bus riders, and movement towards a greener region. The plan had to be approved by midnight last night [...]]]>

The New York State Assembly failed to bring congestion pricing to a vote yesterday, forfeiting $354 million in federal money for improved transit service, a long-term source of transit funding, faster commutes for subway and bus riders, and movement towards a greener region. The plan had to be approved by midnight last night to qualify for the federal dollars.

The event was a sign of failure in Albany and a call to action for New York City residents to elect new state leaders.

It’s hard to know what more was desired by NYS Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who is largely responsible for roadblocking the plan. Congestion pricing had the support of Governor Patterson, the City Council, the State Senate, the federal government, over 160 organizations, and the majority of New York City and New York State residents (if the money went to transit service). In July, Silver commenced a year-long public process that resulted in a better plan. Nonetheless, Silver refused to even bring the plan to a vote yesterday, saying he didn’t have the support necessary to approve it. Assemblymembers were left completely off the hook, without having to take a public stance on an important and controversial issue. New Yorkers deserve better.

Many state politicians blamed the failure of the plan on what they perceived as Mayor Bloomberg’s “heavy-handed approach” in selling congestion pricing. While Bloomberg has never been the smoothest politician, a clumsy tone is not an excuse for smart policies to fall by the wayside.

The transit funding discussion is not going anywhere. The MTA now faces a $13 billion funding gap in its 2008-2013 capital program. Absent a giant influx of state funds, riders will see a cycle of fare increases and deteriorated service. Transit riders should hold NYS Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and his fellow legislators responsible for the fate of our transit system and for figuring out how to raise the revenue necessary to maintain and expand our transit network.

Image: This advertisement, outside TSTC’s main office and above the Lincoln Tunnel entrance, seemed particularly appropriate.

Dear New York City [...]]]> On March 31, the COMMUTE (Communities United for Transportation Equity) coalition took out an advertisement in the New York Daily News in the form of an open letter asking New York’s elected officials to vote in favor of congestion pricing. MTR reprints the text of the letter in full below:

Dear New York City Council and New York State legislators,

We’re writing to wake you up before it’s too late.

We live in the neighborhoods of the working class in New York City. Our homes are in places like East Flatbush, the South Bronx, Sunset Park, Corona, and Jamaica. We depend on mass transit to get to work and to school, and to access essential services. But our transit service barely meets our needs.

Hundreds of thousands of us have to travel for more than two hours each day. Our trips are slow because many of us rely on buses that travel at an average speed of six miles an hour. Our fares are going up – but we’re not getting more service.

You now have the power to improve transportation in our neighborhoods. We need you to pass a congestion pricing plan now – and to mandate that money from congestion pricing go to support new mass transit in New York City neighborhoods that need it the most. Congestion pricing will allow us to implement a Bus Rapid Transit system that can fill in huge gaps in the subway system and make travel within the boroughs, and between them, faster. Our income, race or ethnicity should not prevent us from improving transportation in our neighborhoods.

There’s a big lie out there. It goes like this: “Congestion pricing is a tax on the working poor.” That is simply not true. Congestion pricing applies to the tiny number of New Yorkers who choose to drive into Manhattan’s central business district on weekdays. These drivers have incomes much higher than the city average.

Meanwhile, we don’t drive to work in Manhattan. We take the bus, and then another bus, or a train.

New York City must seize this opportunity. Do the right thing for those who have had to bear the burden of extreme commutes for too long. Support mass transit in our communities, by passing a congestion pricing plan that guarantees funds for new rapid transit service – for our neighborhoods and our future.

Sincerely,

• Communities United for Transportation Equity/COMMUTE
• Catholic Charities of Brooklyn and Queens
• Centro Hispano “Cuzcatlán”
• El Puente
• Families United for Racial and Economic Equality
• Erasmus Neighborhood Foundation
• Fifth Avenue Committee
• Nos Quedamos, Inc.
• The Point CDC/ACTION
• Sustainable South Bronx
• United Community Centers
• Washington Heights Club of the Working Families Party
• West Harlem/Morningside Heights Sanitation Coalition
• Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice

Yesterday, the New York City Council voted 30-20 in favor of NYC’s proposed congestion pricing plan to fund transit and reduce traffic by charging drivers entering Manhattan [...]]]>
Campaign for New York’s Future members rallied at City Hall today, the day after the New York City Council voted in favor of congestion pricing.

Yesterday, the New York City Council voted 30-20 in favor of NYC’s proposed congestion pricing plan to fund transit and reduce traffic by charging drivers entering Manhattan south of 60th St. Transit and environmental advocates immediately hailed the leadership of Council Speaker Christine Quinn and the Councilmembers who voted in favor of the plan, most of whom were from the outer boroughs, and looked hopefully to the State Legislature to do the same. The Legislature has until April 7 to approve the plan or NYC will lose $354 million in federal funds for transit improvements.

This means it’s do or die time. Please let your state elected leaders know how badly we need this plan to speed our commutes, clear our air, and reduce congestion (one way to do so is by visiting bettertransit.org to send an email). Please also thank those Councilmembers who voted in support. The City Council vote tally can be found here.