 | Congestion Pricing: It all comes down to three men in a room | The Oil Drum: Local | Commission to Formulate Traffic Reduction Policy |  |
Happy Congestion Day!
Posted by Glenn on July 16, 2007 - 11:39pm in The Oil Drum: Local
Topic: Environment/Sustainability
Tags: congestion pricing, new york city, NY Assembly, oil, Sheldon Silver, transportation, upper green side [list all tags]
There still may be some flexibility for a few days extension by the Feds, but for now it looks like the Albany political gridlock has once again kept the state from enacting good public policy supported by nearly all the good government groups, all the major newspapers, health and transportation advocates here in the city. It had the support of all the citywide elected officials - the Mayor, the Speaker of the City Council, the Comptroller and Public Advocate. It even had the support of the Governor and the leader of the State Senate, Joseph Bruno.
So that's probably it. There are talks of a compromise sometime in the distant future, but for now, the momentum is completely lost. New York's Albany politics have conspired to condemn another generation to higher transit fares, less service, more traffic congestion, lower air quality and encouraging more people to drive into the city. July 16th should now forever be known as "Congestion Day"
To further explain my perspective on the benefits of congestion pricing, here's a video I did with Streetfilms about congestion pricing standing at the border of where it would be implemented.
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Is it possible that anyone will see this as just a new tax they are proposing?
And does anyone else see the silliness in the officials telling us that is is the Federal Dept of Trans that is "forcing" this on us. It is though we are acting like there are no representatives responsible for the US DOT.
I just think it is interesting that at a time when gas prices are high, and global warming is such a concern - that people are looking into carpooling more. The government gets 20% of sales tax revenue from new vehicles, gasoline and registration fees are extra.
If people carpool, then there would be less use of vehicle and thus less sales of new vehicles and gasoline. So, the politicians need to move their addiction to sales taxes of new vehicles and gasoline to an new revenue stream.
And here it is. The government double speak of "congestion pricing".
Look for a tax on carpooling in the coming years.
They want us to have cars....but seem to want us just to not have them in certain areas or at certain times of day.
Hey I got an idea, why don't the politicians talk about carpooling honestly and it's role in solving traffic, energy, and air pollution issues.
And maybe while they are at it, they could get to work removing government waste so that we don't have to be so addicted to oil.
Cause if you notice, the carpool concept is being killed so that they can convert lanes to toll roads just like they have done in California and Florida.
http://trafficbulldog.org is a carpool advocacy group committed to helping people form carpools. And when you form a carpool, you take pressure off of the gasoline pricess.... and get a little less money to terrorists.
And of course, Save Some Oil for the Grandkids!