A weekly roundup of good deeds, missteps, heroic feats and epic failures in the tri-state region and beyond.
Winners
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone — Bellone lobbied New York State legislators for the power to install speed enforcement cameras in school zones, and also asked for an additional $10 million for Suffolk County Transit.
NJ Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto — In a candid discussion with the Star-Ledger editorial board, Prieto said the New Jersey Legislature should consider raising the gasoline tax, “which at 14.5 cents a gallon is the third lowest in the nation after Alaska and Wyoming.”
NY State Senator Adriano Espaillat, Assemblymember Gabriela Rosa, NYC Councilmembers Mark Levine and Ydanis Rodriguez, and advocates from across New York — Advocates from across the Empire State traveled to Albany yesterday to talk with legislators about dedicated state funding for active transportation. The quartet of uptown Manhattan elected officials joined in the chorus by penning a letter to Governor Cuomo asking for dedicated funds for bicycle and pedestrian projects in his executive budget.
Stamford, CT — A new fare-free trolley service will launch Friday that will connect Stamford’s South End with downtown Stamford and the city’s transportation hub.
Losers
NJ Transit bus riders — Lots of NJ Transit bus stops are still covered with snow and ice because the transit agency and NJDOT can’t agree on who is responsible for clearing them.
Atlanta — Cities that offer transportation options and lots of housing near rail stations are more resilient than those that don’t. With another major storm hitting Atlanta today — and with bus service cancelled — it may be another tough day for commuters.
Brooklyn Community Board 3 — Putting unfounded worries about traffic congestion ahead of safety, the Clinton Hill/Bedford-Stuyvesant community board voted against a 20 mph slow zone for the 0.2-square-mile area, which sees more than 60 traffic-related injuries per year and has four schools within its boundaries.
Your Atlanta note is another good reason for rail on the Tappan Zee replacement instead of the BRT mirage. Also streetcars and Light Rail on heavily traveled New York City routes would be more cost effective and more reliable if management that understands rail is employed.
Problem with Mr. Bellone pushing for more speed or stop sign cameras is that his main interest would seem to be the revenue, not safety. There are already numerous cameras in Suffolk, and the sudden braking and stops that occur out of fear of these cameras is quite capable of causing added accidents.