‘Mayor Adams can make New York City a global leader in the fight against climate change and transition to a green economy. His administration must advance environmental priorities that will make our city more sustainable, resilient, and equitable for future generations.’
The de Blasio administration has made strides toward reducing carbon emissions. But cuts to organics recycling, delays to establishing commercial waste zones, even the slowdown in closing Rikers could hamstring New York’s ability to make the fast, deep reductions that the climate emergency requires.
For all its positives, the plan doesn’t answer all the questions facing the MTA over its finances or ability to achieve its ambitions.
John Raskin talked about the big problem that unites all of the other challenges facing the subway, buses and commuter trains: The lack of accountability in the transit system as it now exists.
‘Infrastructure is a public good. And land value—commonly-owned, socially-created wealth—can be tapped to keep this public good alive and well.’
The consensus is growing that we want fewer cars, especially in Manhattan, and more places where it’s comfortable to walk and bike. Against that stands multibillion-dollar ride-hailing companies, the AV industry and the modern manifestation of ‘Organized Motordom.’
Many drivers and LIRR commuters in northeastern Queens, which includes several so-called “transit deserts” with limited subway access, remain skeptical of congestion pricing, even paired with proposed LIRR discounts.
Rewarding vehicles that cause less congestion or generate less pollution means reducing the amount of money congestion pricing will pump into the transit system.
Some lawmakers and residents in areas outside the proposed congestion zone worry drivers will park and ride. But there are reasons to suspect that won’t occur.
‘We have to make sure we make the investments throughout the MTA region if were going be successful,’ Sen. David Carlucci told the WBAI program. ‘We also have to address the issue of double tolling.’
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