A weekly roundup of good deeds, missteps, heroic feats and epic failures in Tri-State transportation news.
Winners
USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood – After four years of advocating for non-motorized transportation, transportation funding that supports livable communities and fighting for a national high-speed rail system, Secretary LaHood submitted his letter of resignation to President Obama yesterday. Thank you for your service, and here’s hoping for a replacement that can fill your walking shoes.
Metro North Commuters – The MTA is considering increasing off-peak service for Spuyten Duyvil, Irvington and Riverdale stations along the Hudson Line. In Connecticut, Metro North announced that the New Haven Line set a record for customer trips in 2012, largely credited to New York City’s rebounding economy and the addition of off-peak and weekend service.
New York State Thruway Authority – Despite lacking a plan to pay for a new Tappan Zee Bridge, the Thruway Authority endorsed the idea of all-electronic tolling this week on the new TZB and at the Yonkers and Harriman toll plazas.
Town of Morristown, New Jersey – Morristown is updating its master plan, and complete streets policies are taking center stage. In addition, this past Monday, Morristown was included on the list of 25 municipalities recommended for Safe Routes to School Grants.
Losers
ConnDOT – Hartford groups remain worried that construction of the CTfastrak transit line will hurt pedestrian and bike access in the Frog Hollow neighborhood. ConnDOT’s delayed public outreach on the project ended up being a PR pothole instead. Local leaders and institutions are excited about the new bus service, but community residents should not be forgotten when discussing new pedestrian and bike connections at stations.
NYS State Senator David Carlucci and Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski – The Hudson Valley elected officials have introduced matching bills to offer 40 percent discounts for Rockland and Westchester County residents who will use the new Tappan Zee Bridge. Instead of offering discounts that will only encourage people to drive in the congested corridor, the duo should be more fiercely advocating for transit across the bridge so their constituents have another option.
The correct spelling for The Rockland Co. State Assemblyman is Ken Zebrowski. There is no “M” in his name. You need to be sure in the future to pay particular close attention to correct spellling if you want to maintain credibility in the substance of an article. Oh, and I happen to agree they should be focused on alternatives/choices in transportation, id est transit. What their proposed legislation tells me is they don’t see any transit happening on the horizon; therefore, the need to do something for their constituents.
Joe