In a city with crowded streets, a rising population and soaring land prices, most New York City parking is free. Experts say that contributes to a shortage of spaces that generates traffic, obstructs deliveries, slows buses and drives motorists crazy.
In the next two decades, New Yorkers 65 and older will account for 18 percent of the city’s population, according to the AARP. And they’re going to need a lot more elevators than the transit system currently offers.
It costs money for the subways and buses to collect and process fares. It creates a crime that we have to figure out how to fairly police. And, even with discounted fares, it makes transit an unavoidable cost burden to lower-income people. So why not make it free?
‘There is a continuing series of feasibility studies that generate money for consultants along with free publicity for elected officials. At the end of the day, the long abandoned Brooklyn to Staten Island subway will stay buried.’
The mayor vowed to undertake efforts to speed up buses by 25 percent, or an average speed of 9.25 miles an hour, by the end of 2020.
Why didn’t officials come up with such a solution earlier, before the years of public hearings and preparation for a complete, more than year-long shutdown?
There have only been four regional plans. That’s because each plan—years in the making—is intended to shape policy for decades. But authors see growing need for immediate action on climate and transit.
‘In a truly just and fair city, public transit would be an affordable lifeline to economic opportunity. The subway and bus system would support upward mobility and the best way to bring that vision to fruition, would be to do away with subway and bus fares altogether. ‘
A new book released by the transit advocacy group Riders Alliance on Thursday details the experiences of Bronx seniors as they traverse the bus system.
The ferry is a big hit in the Bronx neighborhood, though there are concerns about parking.
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