Community Update
Jul 26,2007 5:07 pm
Express Bus Expansion Key to Congestion Relief
Dear Friends,
Plans to establish a congestion pricing system (where drivers will be
charged a fee to drive into Manhattan's central business district
during weekdays) are currently being considered as a way to reduce
traffic and pollution. Whether or not a plan is approved, CM Liu
continues to advocate for an ambitious expansion of express bus
service to Manhattan from outlying neighborhoods with limited mass
transit options.
For more information, please read excerpts of recent news reports below.
Elizabeth Monterrosa
Legislative Director
Office of Council Member John C. Liu
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WNYC RADIO NEWS: "Deal or No Deal?"
<http://audio.wnyc.org/bl/bl072007a.mp3>
EXCERPT-
"Speaker Christine Quinn and I and our colleagues in the Council will
be looking very carefully at the issues involved. We have local
constituents who are very concerned about the impact that congestion
pricing will have on their neighborhoods. And, at the same time, we
also have to be sure that the regional needs of the New York
metropolitan area are met. There's no question that there's a huge
cost to congestion -- whether it be directly paid for by certain
people who drive or borne through other means. The cost of congestion
is undeniable -- environmental costs as well as economic costs --
we're losing 52,000 jobs a year," stated Council Member John C. Liu,
Chairperson of the City Council's Transportation Committee.
"We have to focus our efforts on making sure that the commitment to
mass transit -- especially in the areas that are not served or are not
well-served by mass transit today are implemented before congestion
pricing."
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NEW YORK NEWSDAY: "Manhattan congestion pricing plan spawns new ideas"
<http://www.newsday.com/search/ny-nyalt185297214jul18,0,1364573.story>
EXCERPT-
Congestion pricing "was only one tool of several to reduce the
congestion on city streets to clean the air and maintain our economic
prospects," City Council transportation chairman John Liu (D-Flushing)
said yesterday.
The mayor always contended that expanding bus service and other mass
transit improvements were necessary, with or without federal funding,
a mayoral spokesman said yesterday. In the congestion pricing plan,
about 367 additional buses could have headed to the streets to pick up
commuters who chose to stop driving to avoid the $8 fee.
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GOTHAM GAZETTE: "Compromising on Congestion and Campaign Cash"
<http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/issueoftheweek/20070723/200/2237>
EXCERPT-
But despite apparent opposition, City Councilmember John Liu, head of
the transportation committee and a supporter, thinks many members will
come around. Getting improvements in mass transit - particularly
better express bus service for more distant parts of the outer
boroughs - could go a long way toward persuading skeptical council
members, he said.
Now, Liu said, many New Yorkers have to "hop on a local bus for a half
hour to get to the subways and then if they can even squeeze
themselves in" have a 90-minute trip to work in Manhattan. If those
riders could instead take a good, reliable express bus to their jobs,
councilmembers, Liu thinks, would feel more comfortable "imposing that
charge on people who still insist upon driving their own cars."
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AM-NY NEWS: "Mayor: Buses will drive congestion plan"
<http://www.amny.com/news/local/am-congestion0711,0,6133947.story>
EXCERPT-
The congestion pricing plan, if approved, is expected to grab $500
million in federal transportation funds [for 367 additional buses and
12 new routes].
The additional buses will reach the furthest stretches of the outer
boroughs, many places underserved by the subway system and identified
by the mayor's plan as the highest contributors to Manhattan traffic.
"The new routes are needed and increased frequency of existing
services are needed also," said Councilman John Liu, D-Flushing, who
chairs the council's transportation committee.
Some Queens and Brooklyn officials have said they would support the
mayor's plan only if commuters were given options.
"This doesn't mean that we're going to lay off," Liu said. "It's a
strong start and encouraging."