Monday, April 23, 2007

New York City Congestion


New York City is thinking about introducing congestion pricing, similar to what is done in London's downtown. This would be the area of Manhattan below 86th Street. For those unfamiliar with the concept, it involves charging drivers and cars to enter a certain area (like a downtown). It is considered a success in London, but i hear there are still kinks that need to be figured out.

I'm not sure how effective this would actually be since cabs would have a special status in such a system and most of those driving through Manhattan are those that can absorb the 8$ a day fee. It may just further segregate the poor and rich.

The article mentions the booming population growth in the city, but i question how fast it really is growing. I haven't heard of any North American city truly growing in the last decade...

10 comments:

The Editor said...

Hey there, I just thot I'd let you know that I included links to this post and yr Daryl Hannah post in Midnight Poutine. You can check it out here:
http://www.midnightpoutine.ca/media/2007/04/this_week_in_blogs_for_april_25_your_environment/index.php

Take it easy.
~s.

Anonymous said...

i would have to disagree about the comment concerning no north american city is booming because calgary is booming. when you have tent camps outside the city for workers who can't find housing and unrecognizable developments that spring up every time you visit it makes it crazy to move into that market. even phoenix arizona is building like crazy all tempered by whether they can secure enough water to support it.

brad

Anonymous said...

We all have to wonder what Bloomberg is really thinking of with this congestion pricing tax scheme. Maybe he mostly just wants a new tax. Just wrap it up in 'concern for the environment', and people can just demonize those who oppose it.

If he cares so much about traffic jams, congestion and air pollution, why does he let Park Avenue be blocked off? Why doesn't he do anything about that?

Pershing Square Restaurant blocks Park Avenue going South at 42nd St. for 12 hours a day/6 months of the year! This Causes Massive Congestion & Air Pollution!

But apparently it does not bother NYC's Nanny-in-Chief Mike "Congestion Pricing Tax" Bloomberg? Check out the map!

http://whataplanet.blogspot.com
http://preview.tinyurl.com/38obfd

Check it out!

Thanks,

Little Blue PD

:)

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

kogcxC actually, that's brilliant. Thank you. I'm going to pass that on to a couple of people.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful blog.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Magnific!

Anonymous said...

Please write anything else!

Anonymous said...
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