A weekly roundup of good deeds, missteps, heroic feats and epic failures in the tri-state region and beyond.
WINNERS
U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. and New Jersey Assemblyman John Wisniewski — The legislators came together to call on Congress for a long-term, dedicated solution to both the local and federal transportation funding crises.
Scott Rechler — The Cuomo-appointed Vice Chairman of the Port Authority has come out in support of congestion pricing and unified regional fare media.
The Saratoga Automobile Museum — The museum, with support from its trustees, purchased four distracted driving simulators, which demonstrate how dangerous and costly driving distracted can be.
CTfastrak — Average daily ridership on Connecticut’s new BRT system has reached 14,000, far exceeding ConnDOT officials’ projections of 11,200 daily rides.
National Tourism Office of Switzerland — In honor of Bike to Work Week, New Yorkers can enjoy a full day of free Citi Bike rides tomorrow, courtesy of Switzerland’s tourism agency.
LOSERS
Queens commuters — Monday was a headache for 7, N and Q train riders, but local leadership still opposes the MoveNY plan for funding transit.
Queens District Attorney Richard Brown — A repeat reckless driver was allowed to plead to a misdemeanor for having “plowed his 2005 BMW into an 89-year-old man.”
Cross-Hudson elected officials — A top transportation official in the Obama administration criticized bi-state leadership for not making progress on new Hudson River tunnels or a fully-funded MTA capital plan.
Congress — Despite widespread calls for a long-term solution and many agreeing that a raise to the gas tax would be an acceptable solution, Congress is yet again prepared to throw in the towel and approve another short-term MAP-21 extension.
