A weekly roundup of good deeds, missteps, heroic feats and epic failures in the tri-state region and beyond.
WINNERS
Pope Francis — For his visit to the United States, Pope Francis brought an urbanist attitude and car-free streets.
Connecticut bicyclists and pedestrians — The Connecticut State Bond Commission will fund $8.3 million worth of bicycle and pedestrian projects, including the completion of the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail and a protected cycletrack in New Haven.
NYPD 34th Precinct — During an era in which the NYPD is rolling back internal parking enforcement, the Uptown Manhattan precinct is actually ticketing motorists parked in bike lanes.
Paris, France — Last Sunday, Mayor Anne Hidalgo banned cars in city center for the day to raise awareness about air pollution as Paris prepares to host the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December.
The planet — Royal Dutch Shell ended all oil and gas exploration in the Arctic Ocean for “the foreseeable future.”
LOSERS
Port Authority Bus Terminal users — The agency again delayed a vote on a plan to replace its aging bus terminal.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie — On Monday, Governor Christie once again dismissed the idea that his state faces a transportation funding crisis–despite the fact that the Transportation Trust Fund will run dry within the next year.
Q44 riders — Queens Community Board 7 opposed the proposed Q44 Select Bus Service route, citing the loss of parking spaces as a concern.
New Jersey Transit riders — A 9 percent fare hike–the fifth since 2002–goes into effect tomorrow.
Five fare increases over 13 years is not that excessive. It is far better to raise fares a modest amount every few years than to defer needed transit investments. Yes, gripe about NJ’s low gasoline tax. It should be raised, but also advocate for more efficiency in the delivery of public transportation service.