Corinne Ramey

Saving the G, and Decreasing Global Warming, too! (watch the video online)

You know that public transportation leaves something to be desired when there is actually a blog called "Save the G." The writers of "Save the G" are lobbying for improved service and availability on their beloved G line train. And not only the G's riders are unhappy -- even brokers and developers admit that property values are lower around G train stops because of the unreliable service.

But perhaps there's good news on the horizon for G-train fans and others who reside in areas with poor public transportation. The MTA report that was released on Monday -- widely reported in the media for the $767 million that the MTA estimates it will need to spend on increasing public transportation due to congestion pricing -- spells out some great improvements.

After wading through the legalese of the report, I found some pretty great things. As the MTA says, "The resources raised by imposition of congestion charges can provide significant additional resources to support long-term investment in transit infrastructure." Translation: public transportation may actually get better. Not only will congestion pricing give New Yorkers less traffic and cleaner air, but we get better subways, too!

According to the MTA, subway and bus service will increase, especially in areas most affected by the congestion pricing proposal. They will also add better bus lanes, new stations, and quite a few new bus routes. The city will purchase 46 new subway cars and expand service on several routes, in addition to increasing frequency of cars on others.

A story in the Times sums up the financial side of things:

"The total, the authority said, comprised $284 million in 2008 and 2009 for 367 new city and suburban buses, 46 new subway cars and many station renovations and service enhancements; $163 million for other subway and bus improvements from 2010 to 2012, and $320 million for two new bus terminals in Queens and Staten Island."

In May, DMI hosted a Marketplace of Ideas event on congestion pricing and global warming, featuring London's Deputy Mayor Nicky Gavron. Gavron was instrumental in passing London's congestion pricing plan, effectively reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality.

If the event sounds fascinating, don't despair! You can still watch the video here on the DMI website.

We wrote about the original congestion pricing plan here on the DMI blog and laid out talking points on its benefit to New York's middle class here. The plan would charge motorists $8 and trucks $21 to enter Manhattan's Central Business District during peak hours.

Corinne Ramey: Author Bio | Other Posts
Posted at 7:14 AM, Oct 15, 2007 in Transportation
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