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NY1
Updated 11:14 AM Doomsday Cuts Protested By Transit Advocates http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/7596/30618905.jpg Riders across the city are hitting the streets in protest today, one day before the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board votes on proposed cuts to the system aimed at trimming its deficit. Community leaders and high school students gathered this morning in front of Brooklyn's Maxwell High School, one of several protests planned throughout the city. They were demonstrating against the MTA's proposal to a gradually phase-out the popular student discount MetroCard program, meaning more than half-a-million kids would have to pay full fares by 2011. Students say if it goes through, they won't be able to afford getting to school. "We already have hardship now in terms of the recession. Kids will drop out of school, they won't come to school,” said community advocate Kevin McCall. “They will hop the turnstiles, crime will go up." "If they cut the school MetroCard, no child is coming to school,” said a student. “Do you know how much money parents have to pay a week for their child to go to school? And some parents don't even make that much money, so if they cut the MetroCard, nobody is going to be coming to school." The MTA is also proposing several service cuts to bridge a $383 million budget gap. The plan would eliminate the W and Z subway lines and dozens of bus routes, shorten the G and M lines, and reduce service during off-peak hours. The service cuts would take effect next spring. The agency is expected to pass the measure. NY1 will carry the vote live tomorrow morning, beginning at 9:30. Copyright © 2009 NY1 News. All rights reserved. |
Whatever, they will still go to school. In just about every other city, high-school students pay almost full regular fare to ride the transit to school.
On top of that, most NYC students can probably walk to school anyway. American transit systems gave way too many concesssions to people that most other world systems do not. And this is partly the reason they are in budget problems and have such low cost recovery. |
Why is always the folks getting a free ride that protest the most over fare increases?
Have they look at the alternative? I don't think they have...... So the kids can keep their free rides to school, the agency would have to increase the fares for their parents so they can get to work. Except the increase fares for the adults will need to equal what the fares for the kids would be, or to keep it simple, a doubling the adult fares. That alternative would cause a riot. |
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And very few NYC high school students live within walking distance of their high school. In NYC students apply to go to a high school and most try to get in to the top schools or the school that offers the specialized curriculum they're looking for, which is likely in another borough. Many high school students have hour long commutes each way. And even for those who go to their "local" school, it is quite often not within a 15-20 minute walk of their home. It always amazes me that if you propose a congestion charge, you get a bunch of people screaming about how unfair it is to the poor, or why should I have to pay to use the streets to take my grandmother to the hospital, etc, etc. But the same people think that CHILDREN should have to pay $4.50 a day just to go to school by bus. |
BREAKING:
MTA Board approves measures for steep service cuts. More info to follow. |
WABC-TV
MTA approves 'Doomsday' budget plan Updated at 12:33 PM today NEW YORK (WABC) -- Faced with a shortfall of almost $400 million -- the MTA passed its Doomsday plan just before noon. It includes massive cuts to bus and subway service. And for those who are frustrated beyond words-- the MTA chairman made it clear this morning-- you're not alone. Despite all the protests, the board has voted unanimously to approve drastic service cuts, and now the Doomsday budget is one step closer to becoming a reality. The drastic service cuts will be felt from top to bottom at the MTA. Not only will the cuts impact bus and subway service passengers, but also many white-collar jobs in the agency are now on the line. "We need to rethink every aspect of our operation. We need to permanently reduce the cost of what we're doing. To ensure it, we need to take the place apart," said MTA Chairman, Jay Walder. The new budget would end the W and Z subway lines, cut 21 bus routes, reduce frequency for off-peak trains, Access-a-Ride for seniors & disabled and end discounts for students. "We in this city have been ambushed by the MTA by the quick of their vote today," NYC Councilman (D), James Vacca said. Even before the MTA met, city council members to condemn the plan of ending the free metrocards for New York City students. Especially since this whole idea came without much warning. "This is a completely undemocratic process," NYC Council Speaker, Christine Quinn said. This doomsday budget scenario will have a devastating impact on the 585,000 who had free or discounted metrocards. "We cannot balance the MTA's budget on the backs of our children and our disabled. That is not the right thing to do," said NYC Councilwoman (D), Jessica Lappin. The chairman of the board says this is just the beginning of the process, not the end. Of course, the state and the governor could come in and try to help eliminate some of the problems that the MTA is currently going through. Meanwhile, there will still be hearings on the MTA's plan of eliminating the free metrocards given to students in the New York City school system. (Copyright ©2009 WABC-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) |
I not fully aware how New York City schools work, but out here in the rest of the county, school boards with school taxes fund the operation of school buses, not city transit taxes.
How much does the New York City schools help fund the free rides to school? None? Partial? Fully? |
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A further update on the 7 train extension: It seems they've finished boring the tunnels south of the Javits station and in the spring will finish the tunnels north from the station to the end of the existing 7 line. I guess this thing's getting built - and without the much-needed 10th Avenue station.
By comparison, tunnel boring for the Second Avenue subway hasn't even begun. They're not even finished with the launch box where the tunnel boring machine will begin its journey. From nyc.gov: Quote:
More photos here: http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgo...&rc=1194&ndi=1 |
NY1
12/25/2009 10:11 AM MTA Unveils Countdown Clocks At Bronx Subway Stations By: NY1 News http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/2203/33104679.jpg Straphangers in the Bronx only have to look up to find out when the next train will arrive. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is testing countdown clocks in five subway stations along the Number 6 line. The clocks show the number of minutes until the next train arrives, as well as real-time messages about delays and other transit information. Passengers said they are enthusiastic about the pilot program. "It lets us know when it's coming in and I think overall it's going to help,” said one straphanger. "They're beautiful. I like them because they help me. They help me out so I know exactly when the train's coming,” added another. "I think it's great because I don't have to step to the edge anymore. That's a little dangerous,” said a third. The MTA hopes to have the clocks installed in 152 stations by early 2011. Copyright © 2009 NY1 News. All rights reserved. |
NY1
Updated 4:39 PM Brooklyn LIRR Terminal Opens By: Roger Clark http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/9310/74663532.jpg After six years of construction, the Long Island Rail Road's new Atlantic Terminal Pavilion opened in Brooklyn Tuesday. The three-story limestone, granite and glass structure at Flatbush Avenue and Hanson Place, which cost $108 million to build, features new amenities, including a customer waiting area, ticket offices and restrooms. The existing transit hub connects the LIRR to five bus lines and 10 subway lines – the B, D, M, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4 and 5 trains. About 57,000 commuters come through the station daily. "[Whoever uses] it to enter the system, to come through the soaring atrium that we have here, will see natural light brought into our subterranean system," said Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman and CEO Jay Walder. The station is located in a bustling area that includes the $4.9 billion Atlantic Yards project, with its arena for the Nets basketball team as well as other residential and commercial buildings. http://media.ny1.com/media/2010/1/5/.../01LIRR_Bk.jpg Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz said the new pavilion will attract more people to Brooklyn. "The beauty of it is now is that folks that live in 'Brooklyn Near East,' also known as Nassau, and 'Brooklyn Far East,' also known as Suffolk, easily they can get right to Brooklyn, get out here on Atlantic Avenue at the LIRR station and within walking distance, they don't have to take cabs, they don't have to take buses, within walking distance of this terminal they'll be able to enjoy all the great amenities of Downtown Brooklyn," he said. The place already received positive reviews from commuters. "It looks good. It looks real good, the ceiling and all. It's real nice," said a New Yorker. "Very different from before. It's open, beautiful, very comfortable," said another. "I think it's fabulous. They did a great job, they really did, it's great," said a third. The station's architect is a Brooklyn native who attended nearby Brooklyn Tech High School. Copyright © 2010 NY1 News. All rights reserved. |
NY1
01/11/2010 10:09 AM Thousands Take To The Subway Without Pants By: NY1 News http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/8393/87022195.jpg Thousands of people in the subway stripped down to their underway yesterday as part of the annual No Pants Subway Ride. Ignoring the cold, riders met at six different locations in Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn – and were assigned stations to drop their pants. Participants were encouraged to just act natural. The group Improv Everywhere is behind the annual event. Organizers say the goal is make other riders smile. Copyright © 2010 NY1 News. All rights reserved. |
NY1
01/12/2010 09:47 AM Acela Trains To Get Wi-Fi By: NY1 News http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/4270/30342805.jpg Amtrak's high-speed Acela trains will soon have high-speed Internet. The railroad plans to offer free Wi-Fi on its Acela trains beginning in March. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Acela service that connects New York to Washington, Philadelphia and Boston. Amtrak also says this year it will complete upgrades to Acela car interiors, including the addition of leather seats. Copyright © 2010 NY1 News. All rights reserved. |
01/12/2010 01:54 PM
MTA To Replace Rubbing Boards At Two Midtown Stations By: NY1 News http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/1019/83971594.jpg The Metropolitan Transportation Authority says it's working to replace some of the subway platform edges that are damaged in two Midtown stations. The rubbing boards are painted yellow and are used to keep the trains from rubbing against the concrete platform. Some riders have complained that at several locations, the boards are rotting and shaky, presenting a safety hazard. An MTA spokesman says the agency has been working to install new fiberglass boards, which are more durable. Problem platforms include the B/V/D, N/R/Q/W and downtown F at Herald Square and the uptown B/D at Rockefeller Center. The MTA is reminding customers to stay away from the platform edges, as they are meant for the subway cars. Copyright © 2010 NY1 News. All rights reserved. |
NY1
Updated 11:52 AM MTA To Spare Three Bus Routes By: NY1 News http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/2700/73270904.jpg Some local bus routes are being spared the ax, as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority adjusts its budget reduction plan. Sources tell NY1 the MTA may keep running the Bx34 in Woodlawn, the Bx10 in Riverdale and Norwood, and the B25 in East New York, Fort Greene and Brooklyn Heights. All three were slated for elimination as part of the MTA's doomsday budget, passed in an effort to close a nearly $400 million deficit. B25 riders said they hope the bus stays on the road. "I think it's a popular route,” said one resident. “I think a lot of people rely on that route, and I think it would be a hardship for a lot of people if it was eliminated.” “Covers a lot of territory in Brooklyn, and there are a lot of elderly people who ride that bus. They can't take the A train, so why would they stop it?" said another. "I'm hoping and praying they continue the line." The B25 is the only bus that services Brooklyn Bridge Park, which is scheduled to open this year following a massive renovation project. The news is not all positive though, since cuts to reduce the deficit have to come from somewhere. There are 21 bus routes slated for elimination. Sources tell NY1 that more express bus routes, which mostly run between Staten Island and Manhattan and are more expensive to operate, will likely be eliminated. As far as subway cuts, the MTA is considering eliminating the W and Z trains. And, sources say a plan to replace the M line with the V is under serious consideration. Copyright © 2010 NY1 News. All rights reserved. |
In contrast to the 7 train extension, where the TBMs are quickly completing the new tunnels (see earlier post above), the launch box for the TBMs for the Second Avenue Subway hasn't even been fully excavated.
From http://thelaunchbox.blogspot.com/: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tjgTAe0iBh...ndAve_5055.jpg |
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Can a moderator please add the yellow smiley on this thread that is used on the other NYC threads??
I strongly feel this thread hardly gets any attention, considering NYC has the largest and most extensive mass transit system in the world. |
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