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46 comments on NYC Transit on STRIKE!

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Whitehall on December 20, 2005 - 6:06pm Permalink | Subthread | Comments top
It might of interest to note that the Wall Street Journal's James Taranto missed a flight out and today bemoaned his lack of a car.

"'If you live in "the rest of the country,' count yourself lucky, for you almost certainly have a car. Spiking gas prices may be an annoyance, but at least you know you can always get where you want to go."

What price freedom from being held hostage by a self-inerested group like a municipal union?

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Glenn on December 20, 2005 - 6:44pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Thanks for the note Whitehall. I think many people in NYC would argue that infrequent (once in 25 years?) inconveniences like a strike are worth living in a great city.

Missed a flight out and bemoaned his lack of a car

I highly doubt Mr. Taranto takes mass transit out to the area's airports. What he's really complaining about it traffic congestion, which NYC does not do a good job of regulating during non-strike times.

at least you know you can always get where you want to go

Ask folks out in any other major urban area if they have ever missed an appointment because of traffic and I'm sure they will answer "yes".

But you are right that people should have good transportation alternatives and not be completely dependent on one system for all functions. Not just for strikes, but for blackouts, terrorist attacks, etc. That's why we need better cycling infrastructure, more carpooling, congestion pricing, and other ways of getting people from from point A and B.

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Leanan on December 20, 2005 - 8:59pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Or even non-urban areas.  I live in a suburban/small town area, and people miss their flights here, too.  Usually  due to construction-generated traffic jams or unexpected heavy snow.  
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Whitehall on December 21, 2005 - 1:08pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Sorry, but that was not Taranto's meaning as I understood it - I did not transcribe it adequately.

He does normally take mass transit and does NOT have a car (as I understand).  The strike prevented him from getting to the airport and he wishes he had a car - at least at that moment!

If I lived in Manhattan, Queens, or within San Francisco, I would think about not owning a car either.  But most Americans do not live in such crowded places and a personal automobile remains a vital and prized possession with great economic benefit to the owners and to the economy as a whole.

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The Interloafer on December 20, 2005 - 8:49pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Taranto should have said "If you live in 'the rest of the country,' and are not too old, too young, too poor, or too disabled to drive, count yourself lucky." Suburbia will always have a non-driving underclass.
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