I don't see Uber as a car-for-hire company. I see it as a mobile phone-based software application that allows some politically-connected people and software entrepreneurs to make huge amounts of money without going through the hassle of running companies. I see it and services like it as some of the reasons the very rich and politically-connected are getting richer. Uber should be compelled to treats those who work for it as employees.
7
The single greatest obstacle to better traffic flow in the city is the former mayor's imposition of pseudo-bicycle lanes with their accompanying floating parking lanes. On avenues where these have been imposed, which once had four lanes to accommodate traffic, often only one lane is free since double-parked cars and trucks making deliveries now block traffic. The list of other hindrances is a long one, a passive-aggressive assault on all drivers--from supposed plazas to phony street festivals to construction projects put in place without regard to traffic flow. At the same time, no plans are in evidence to improve subway service. All of this comes from a Manhattan-centric view of the city that looks with contempt on those living in the "outer boroughs."
7
Money (lots of it) and political muscle have moved the conversation completely away from the legality of Uber to how can they be accommodated. Too bad Goldman Sachs and Kleiner Perkins money wasn't available to previous generations of entrepreneurs. See these NYT articles
CITY CRACKING DOWN ON 'GYPSY' CABS
Dec. 4, 1984
Drive Opens to Combat Gypsy Cabs
June 22, 1966
The seizure by police of a number of "gypsy" cabs in Brooklyn dramatizes the need for early passage of legislation.
Apri 12, 1965
CITY CRACKING DOWN ON 'GYPSY' CABS
Dec. 4, 1984
Drive Opens to Combat Gypsy Cabs
June 22, 1966
The seizure by police of a number of "gypsy" cabs in Brooklyn dramatizes the need for early passage of legislation.
Apri 12, 1965
2
Eliminate all personal vehicles from Manhattan, allowing only delivery trucks, taxis and cars for hire. Improve mass transit
4
Taxis have been operating in NYC since time immemorial. I personally seldom if ever take one. But the argument that of a sudden the DEBlasio administration and the City Council are beholden to that industry's interests because of campaign contributions is nothing short of ludicrous. Because who says so, Uber? For the NYT Editorial Board to give it credence is shameful, and makes one wonder about its own elitist interests in this debate.
6
This is the result of a society that the fetish of individual rights has turned into selfishness. Single driver passenger cars feel they have the right to congest and pollute New York City. The blessing of everyone having a car has turned sour on us as responsibility evolves into pure selfishness.
6
A: Fix the subway
B: Put in Christie's nixed Hud River crossing
C: Ten year (at least) moratorium on construction of sliver towers for billionaires. That'll keep scaffolding/sidewalk detours/enormous cranes out of the streets the rest of us are using.
B: Put in Christie's nixed Hud River crossing
C: Ten year (at least) moratorium on construction of sliver towers for billionaires. That'll keep scaffolding/sidewalk detours/enormous cranes out of the streets the rest of us are using.
13
Limiting Uber might not end congestion but taking the tables and chairs out of the middle of TSQ Broadway would constitute a start.
10
The reason UBER is doing so well is that they are filling a need. I use Uber whenever I take my family to NYC for a play. Prior to Uber, I would have to wait in line for a cab up to a half hour. Also, NYC cabs are humiliating and down right degrading. Talk about a violation of Civil Rights! DeBlasio is off base again. He is supporting taxi's as he rides around on his helicopter or his limo. Has he forgotten what NYC taxi's are really like?? No Uber then no more weekends in NYC at 3 grand at pop for me. That should get the attention of the Deblasio/Sharpton administration.
6
I agree with elf: fix our subway system. Most specifically, and this applies as well to buses....greater FREQUENCY. It's the wait time that discourages people from descending into the bowels of our transit system.
7
How about air conditioning the subways? The 'real' Manhattan Project...
5
Nothing causes traffic jams like construction which now seems to be all over Manhattan, much of it very slow moving public works.
10
Uber exists in Manhattan because there aren't enough cabs and the cab companies are behind in adopting new technology.
5
Limiting Uber does, however, strike a blow for workers and the consumers of the service as well.
2
Opponents of the bill suppose you can put out unlimited amounts of vehicles without any negative consequences. They want you to believe that what they are doing is good. They want you to believe , even a pause for one year could not be acceptable. They want you to trust them. Can we? Uber is a company for profits. If that were not the case, then a pause to study the issue would not be a problem. Anything they want to do now, if good, can be done a year from now. We all can wait.
Some of the circumstances that could happen if this bill doesn’t pass
Average travel times decrease/due to the proliferation of Uber cars
Existing incomes for drivers fall/due to the proliferation of Uber cars
Costs for car ownership and being able to drive your own car in Manhattan rise /due to the proliferation of Uber cars
Legislative bickering could prevent remedies for these newly created problems therefore the spiraling of negative effects, ending in gridlock/due to the proliferation of Uber cars
Addressing the New York Times opinion page. Limiting Uber would not end congestion but it might help stop it from increasing.
Some of the circumstances that could happen if this bill doesn’t pass
Average travel times decrease/due to the proliferation of Uber cars
Existing incomes for drivers fall/due to the proliferation of Uber cars
Costs for car ownership and being able to drive your own car in Manhattan rise /due to the proliferation of Uber cars
Legislative bickering could prevent remedies for these newly created problems therefore the spiraling of negative effects, ending in gridlock/due to the proliferation of Uber cars
Addressing the New York Times opinion page. Limiting Uber would not end congestion but it might help stop it from increasing.
3
Or you could just move the sidewalk curbs out into the existing street by a half-dozen feet on either side. When the pace of motor traffic drops to 6 mph and sidewalk congestion is reduced the number of people who walk to where they need to be will naturally climb and your problem is solved.
And the population will be healthier.
And the population will be healthier.
3
Too many people on the planet and too many cars - there is no fix. We made this mess by over-populating and now we have to live with it. We can write our articles and our comments and vent a bit, but WE are the problem.
4
Uber has improved living in NYC immeasurably. It used to be that one could not really enjoy living in the city without a car and driver (~$70k/ann.) or, at the very least, a car kept in a nearby garage space (~$35k). Since the advent of Uber, I have gotten rid of my driver and keep only one smaller car in a garage further from home, for weekends. Uber cars are, by and large, as comfortable and clean as was my old SUV. I spend no more time in cars than ever, thus I don't believe that my use of Uber causes any greater congestion in the city. And my Uber bill (~$2000/mo.) is far less than I was spending on a driver.
If the city is getting more congested, Uber isn't the reason. Charging $20 or $30 to enter Manhattan seems fair to me; I, for one, would be happy to pay it to get around town more quickly.
If the city is getting more congested, Uber isn't the reason. Charging $20 or $30 to enter Manhattan seems fair to me; I, for one, would be happy to pay it to get around town more quickly.
1
Where is the discussion of how the restriction of roads by bike lanes and "pedestrian plazas" has contributed to our giant traffic mess? Thanks to poor planning, we have been left with serious constriction of major arteries and high traffic areas such as Times Square, Broadway, Madison Square to name a few, by these “improvements” not to mention the unbridled construction which spills out into streets causing tight spaces to maneuver in every single part of town.
Ridership is up on subways and busses because you can no longer get around town to an appointment on time in a car. Tolls and restrictions will never keep cars out of the city, and it will of course place the biggest burden on those who cannot afford it. Of course, we have made the city an unaffordable place to live and so limiting who enters and leaves the city when we offer no alternatives such as an efficient transit system seems inevitable.
Uber is the least of our problem.
Uber is the least of the problem.
Ridership is up on subways and busses because you can no longer get around town to an appointment on time in a car. Tolls and restrictions will never keep cars out of the city, and it will of course place the biggest burden on those who cannot afford it. Of course, we have made the city an unaffordable place to live and so limiting who enters and leaves the city when we offer no alternatives such as an efficient transit system seems inevitable.
Uber is the least of our problem.
Uber is the least of the problem.
4
A few quick fixes would help a lot. Traffic officers (not cops, dedicated traffic officers like meter people) directing traffic during rush hour, everywhere possible! Try getting cross town, especially west to east in midtown. Every street is blocked at every avenue due to avenue drivers pulling into the "box" when the light is turning orange to red. It can take twenty minutes to go from avenue to avenue in midtown. Also, cars turning onto avenues or streets are competing with pedestrians crossing . Have separate times for pedestrian crossings at avenues, say 20-30 seconds, and then let traffic turn, and enforce it, instead of the free for all we have now. It seems things like this would be a lot easier than big infrastructure changes and would show quick results.
Also, every major European city I've visited has dedicated train lines going directly from airport to city center, usually clean reliable service for between 10-15 euros. I shudder to think of what first time visitors to NY must think of travel options from our airports, disgraceful is too kind a description.
Also, every major European city I've visited has dedicated train lines going directly from airport to city center, usually clean reliable service for between 10-15 euros. I shudder to think of what first time visitors to NY must think of travel options from our airports, disgraceful is too kind a description.
3
Why is the solution to congestion always to tax the outer boroughs with a toll on the few ways into the city that are free? We have out of city commuters coming in to the city in droves. Why is there no talk of reinstating the commuter tax?
1
First, the residents of New York City are already taxed, surcharged, fee'd, levied and assessed to the gills. The answer is always a new tax, the problem gets worse, the tax never gets removed. The answer isn't more tax, certainly not on NYC residents.
Like most other tolls, tolls on the east river bridges will be primarily used to pay the salaries, healthcare and retire-at-fifty-with-85%-of-your-salary pensions for the people who collect those tolls. We don't need another government jobs program.
You don't exactly need a multi-million dollar "study" to figure out one of the congestion issues. Simply look in the windows. Millions of cars with one or two people in them - a driver or a driver and a single passenger. Millions of cars with NJ, CT license plates and from Long Island with one business man.
We don't have cabs that can pickup multiple hails. We don't have vans that just drive up and down avenues in Manhattan. We don't have efficient bus service.
Before we start throwing more of other people's money at a problem, maybe we can look at the simple solutions.
Like most other tolls, tolls on the east river bridges will be primarily used to pay the salaries, healthcare and retire-at-fifty-with-85%-of-your-salary pensions for the people who collect those tolls. We don't need another government jobs program.
You don't exactly need a multi-million dollar "study" to figure out one of the congestion issues. Simply look in the windows. Millions of cars with one or two people in them - a driver or a driver and a single passenger. Millions of cars with NJ, CT license plates and from Long Island with one business man.
We don't have cabs that can pickup multiple hails. We don't have vans that just drive up and down avenues in Manhattan. We don't have efficient bus service.
Before we start throwing more of other people's money at a problem, maybe we can look at the simple solutions.
5
We're talking something that wouldn't hurt their existing drivers, and even still they would still be able to add new vehicle licenses. The qualm is that they are projected to grow at best by 3% and they would likely be limited to growth of 1% during this year-long study. That being said, given their surge pricing model, it may prove just as great for their bottom line and their drivers. The study itself may not be the end-all, but it undoubtedly has its merits and which are worth more than this Shakespearean drama and slurry of false ads being aired.
I'm a frequent UBER user and love the convenience. To those from other cities, calling for regulations, know that UBER drivers in NY have to have a hack license and are regulated by the TLC. It's not like in other towns, where you just get into someone's car and hope for the best.
Having said that, I'm sure that a proliferation of large SUVs contributes to congestion. Combined with double parked delivery vehicles (our business often has trucks delivering and 95% of the time, they have to double park) and tour buses, sometimes 3 -lane Madison Ave is choked down to one lane.
It comes down to the question of what the streets are for: The transportation of goods or the individualized transport of people. I'm in favor of the former. Private vehicles need to be dis-incentivized from coming into the city. For hire vehicles and taxis should not be driving around looking for rides. To this end, we should reduce on street parking for private vehicles and make those areas truck loading areas and taxi waiting areas.
Having said that, I'm sure that a proliferation of large SUVs contributes to congestion. Combined with double parked delivery vehicles (our business often has trucks delivering and 95% of the time, they have to double park) and tour buses, sometimes 3 -lane Madison Ave is choked down to one lane.
It comes down to the question of what the streets are for: The transportation of goods or the individualized transport of people. I'm in favor of the former. Private vehicles need to be dis-incentivized from coming into the city. For hire vehicles and taxis should not be driving around looking for rides. To this end, we should reduce on street parking for private vehicles and make those areas truck loading areas and taxi waiting areas.
2
One point of view not shared by other readers is the claim of reduced mph speed of cars in New York. I highly doubt it has anything to do with an efficient web based private car service that is an on call service. it would certainly have more to do with yellow cabs endlessly trolling the already congested streets, then dodging across three lanes of traffic or stopping on a dime without warning to pick up a waiting passenger. The right answer to address that problem that New York motorists have faced for years is for the yellow cab system to adopt an uber like ride sharing system, not to ban or diminish its elegant simplicity (I'm standing here, point, click, board). And not that I'm opposed to them, but the mph slowdown could also be directly linked to the confusing and growing omnipresence of omnidirectional bicycle lanes, specialized turning lanes, parking of cars not at the curb but in the middle of the street in order to protect the bicycle lanes and failure to find an efficient means to banish delivery vehicles from major thoroughfares (who now, because of the previously mentioned bicycle lanes, park not one but two lanes into the flow of traffic). Uber causing congestion - HOGWASH! (note, i'm not getting paid to write this - I actually prefer citibike and subway to Uber, but when I need it I am glad to know its there)
7
The elimination of a significant amount of traffic lanes to create bicycle lanes and pedestrian areas is also a huge contributor to the increase in vehicle congestion. If de Blasio and the Citu Council were really interested in discovery why congestion was increasing this would be part of the analysis - spoiler alert - they are not interested and just using congestion as an excuse to reward their taxi industry contributors.
3
Manhattan is an island and the easy fix is to raise tolls drastically at a sliding scale depending on the size of the vehicles. Then use the money to improve public trnsportation. The goal should be to have car free zone for most if not the entire island. Other more civilized European cities can do it, so why can't we? Meanwhile we heatwaves all over the world due to global warming..
1
My initial impression is to scratch my head and to wonder where all the new toll-booths will go (for both EZ-Pass and cash) for the currently-free East River crossings. The LIE/BQE exchange can be a nightmare (especially on weekends) until you pass the Kosciuszko Bridge, and adding a toll-booth to just get across the Williamsburg Bridge is sure to back this traffic up for even longer. Not to mention the numerous challenges involved for the City to even acquire the right of way/land to build a toll-booth.
As other commenters have suggested, the biggest way to relieve traffic congestion is to invest in mass transportation. Reduce the number of cars into the city by building additional LIRR terminals in Manhattan, reduce traffic on the East side of Manhattan by completing the long-promised Second Avenue Subway line, introduce congestion pricing in Midtown (similar to London), make certain bridges open to commercial-vehicles only at rush hour (so as to reduce broader public reliance on driving to work in the mornings), augment the direct Queens / Brooklyn subway link so it's not just limited to the G train...
If we are to limit Uber, then encourage the use of UberPool, where nearby individuals effectively carpool together to their destinations.
These are just a few ideas for a problem that requires a reduction in overall vehicle traffic / trips per person, as opposed to the specific targeting of a niche sector of the economy that does bring added convenience to many.
As other commenters have suggested, the biggest way to relieve traffic congestion is to invest in mass transportation. Reduce the number of cars into the city by building additional LIRR terminals in Manhattan, reduce traffic on the East side of Manhattan by completing the long-promised Second Avenue Subway line, introduce congestion pricing in Midtown (similar to London), make certain bridges open to commercial-vehicles only at rush hour (so as to reduce broader public reliance on driving to work in the mornings), augment the direct Queens / Brooklyn subway link so it's not just limited to the G train...
If we are to limit Uber, then encourage the use of UberPool, where nearby individuals effectively carpool together to their destinations.
These are just a few ideas for a problem that requires a reduction in overall vehicle traffic / trips per person, as opposed to the specific targeting of a niche sector of the economy that does bring added convenience to many.
6
Perhaps a ban on Manhattan residents owning cars is the way to go. This would free up numerous parking spots for commuters. Commuters pay indirectly through their tolls and additional taxes at parking garages for Mass transit used primarily by Manhattan residents. Its time for Manhattan residents to either pay their fair share or forego having car or perhaps bulldoze Central Park to create additional parking spaces.
Ultimately with all the businesses which gave NYC its cache' closing or moving elsewhere due to skyrocketing rents, the reappearance of squeegee guys and a general sense that NYC is becoming unsafe under DeBlasio's rule no one will want to visit anyway and congestion will become moot.
Ultimately with all the businesses which gave NYC its cache' closing or moving elsewhere due to skyrocketing rents, the reappearance of squeegee guys and a general sense that NYC is becoming unsafe under DeBlasio's rule no one will want to visit anyway and congestion will become moot.
3
Do you seriously think you can ban someone from owning property? How about "we" ban outsiders from driving in our city rather than banning the residents of the city from owning an automobile. Manhattan residents pay more in rents, mortgages, taxes, fees, and surcharges, and pay more for practically everything else we buy. Our streets are clogged with outsiders. Why can't we do what towns like Hoboken do, where only residents can park on the street? Why can't we do what Sag Harbor did and ban ferry service because it would bring in too many outsiders/traffic?
As Mike Bloomberg said "Manhattan is a luxury item..." we pay more, we should get more. Get rid of the New Jersey drivers first. Then get rid of Queens drivers in Manhattan. Then the CT drivers. Next get rid of Long Island commuters. Problem solved.
As Mike Bloomberg said "Manhattan is a luxury item..." we pay more, we should get more. Get rid of the New Jersey drivers first. Then get rid of Queens drivers in Manhattan. Then the CT drivers. Next get rid of Long Island commuters. Problem solved.
2
this editorial board consistently outs itself as the blind,biased, liberal bastion that it's always been. all congestion pricing does is punish the real working people of this city even more.
want to know why so many people drive in nyc? because the MTA is a shameful disgrace. the taxpayers of this city and state are held hostage by the political and NYT pandering to the TWU. unions are great in theory but the TWU bleeds the working people of this city way more than a horrible corporate overseer would.
this editorial board can never see this because they're blinded by the misconception that all unions represent all working people and it couldn't be farther from the truth.
want to know why so many people drive in nyc? because the MTA is a shameful disgrace. the taxpayers of this city and state are held hostage by the political and NYT pandering to the TWU. unions are great in theory but the TWU bleeds the working people of this city way more than a horrible corporate overseer would.
this editorial board can never see this because they're blinded by the misconception that all unions represent all working people and it couldn't be farther from the truth.
5
What about getting rid of some of those crazy islands that Bloomberg built in the middle of one way avenues in the name of what? Beautification? Why anyone would want to sit in the middle of 9th Ave at 14th St, say, with traffic on both sides, breathing fumes, is beyond me. And the net result is to turn a six lane avenue into one or two lanes avenue.
13
Never mind Uber, limit Tour Buses! They use public sidewalks to conduct their private business free of charge, causing sidewalk jam not to mention the knot in every traffic jam is a tour bus...often a fleet of them. The city seemingly has no limits or standards for licenses for these companies, just a blanket yes policy. That goes for food vendors which have made New York about the ugliest city in the world, dripping grease, staining and polluting the ground. I won't even start on pedicabs and now a slew of bike rental companies. The city needs to limit these business, too many, there's simply not enough room for all of these businesses and our quality of life continues to fall. Soho looks like a 3rd world country on weekends. The lack of regulation makes for impossible living here. One can't really do anything without a major hassle. It wasn't always like this.
13
There are three important ways in which NYC can solve it's congestion problem.
1. Over the next decade, replace all taxis and virtually all private vehicles with a smaller number of shared, electric, autonomous vehicles. Autonomous vehicles will communicate with each to regulate traffic flow at a optimum level.
2. Eliminate almost all street parking, since autonomous vehicles will pick up and drop off clients, thus eliminating the need to park.
3. Pedestrianize certain streets (beginning with Broadway) and include generous bicycle lanes. With street parking gone, other streets can have bike lanes between the sidewalk and the street.
These solutions will vastly reduce air and noise pollution, eliminate 99% of accidents, end traffic congestion, and vastly increase the health and quality of life for residents in NYC and all other cities.
1. Over the next decade, replace all taxis and virtually all private vehicles with a smaller number of shared, electric, autonomous vehicles. Autonomous vehicles will communicate with each to regulate traffic flow at a optimum level.
2. Eliminate almost all street parking, since autonomous vehicles will pick up and drop off clients, thus eliminating the need to park.
3. Pedestrianize certain streets (beginning with Broadway) and include generous bicycle lanes. With street parking gone, other streets can have bike lanes between the sidewalk and the street.
These solutions will vastly reduce air and noise pollution, eliminate 99% of accidents, end traffic congestion, and vastly increase the health and quality of life for residents in NYC and all other cities.
2
The two-party political system is part of the problem. Governor Christie of NJ unilaterally cancelled a 14 billion dollar train project between NY and NJ, which would have kept more cars out of Manhattan than Uber has brought in. It would also have provided many good jobs for many years to citizens of NJ as well as NY.
Why did Christie do this foolish thing? Because it was a Democratic party plan being implemented under a Democratic president, and Christie is a Republican.
Here in California we have ended party primaries. There is one big primary, and the top two become the general election contenders, whatever their party affiliation.
To see other common sense ideas, go to YouTube and watch Comedy Party Platform (2 min 9 sec). Then invite me to speak to your group, and send a buck to Bernie. Thanks.
Why did Christie do this foolish thing? Because it was a Democratic party plan being implemented under a Democratic president, and Christie is a Republican.
Here in California we have ended party primaries. There is one big primary, and the top two become the general election contenders, whatever their party affiliation.
To see other common sense ideas, go to YouTube and watch Comedy Party Platform (2 min 9 sec). Then invite me to speak to your group, and send a buck to Bernie. Thanks.
9
Uber's peer-to-peer system may well be part of the congestion problem and modern communications (such as the Uber phone app) are very useful, but allowing for competition with established taxis without the same restrictions imposed on these taxis, seems to be unfair.
The NYT's editorial is therefore more short sighted than what it wants to appear.
The NYT's editorial is therefore more short sighted than what it wants to appear.
2
These are good suggestions--better than de Blasio's current plan--but at the end of the day, what will really be needed are massive renovations and additions to NYC's public transportation system. In other words, a lot more underground trains and train lines. In other words, an unimaginable expenditure of money. (But surely NYC can still make big dreams come true!)
4
The real problem is that subway frequency has not kept pace with ridership.
Also, the subway system fails to acknowledge that increased frequency will also increase ridership.
The mayor needs to demand more from Albany, and to chip in more himself.
Also, the subway system fails to acknowledge that increased frequency will also increase ridership.
The mayor needs to demand more from Albany, and to chip in more himself.
9
18,000 Uber cars cruising continuously have no effect on traffic?
The editorial touched on the real problem, too many people. It's time to slam the door shut on immigration for ten years and let the dust settle.
The editorial touched on the real problem, too many people. It's time to slam the door shut on immigration for ten years and let the dust settle.
2
It is clear that Uber is in the middle of a massive well-financed, well- connected communications campaign to try to override voices who know Manhattan better than this out of state company, and Have access to one or more members of the Times editorial board, in addition to getting a favorable headline and spin in the news pages yesterday.
I just received an email from some corporate/ real estate people in St. Louis who are mounting a campaign to override their city council too. I have no idea what the taxi situation is in St.Louis, but we do not need Uber in Manhattan. If they want to help people with poor transportation option in New York, they can mount a ride- sharing service to connect people to the closest public transportation option.
If they want access to Manhattan, they should pay a huge surcharge above anything our better regulated medallion taxis pay
I just received an email from some corporate/ real estate people in St. Louis who are mounting a campaign to override their city council too. I have no idea what the taxi situation is in St.Louis, but we do not need Uber in Manhattan. If they want to help people with poor transportation option in New York, they can mount a ride- sharing service to connect people to the closest public transportation option.
If they want access to Manhattan, they should pay a huge surcharge above anything our better regulated medallion taxis pay
4
You are in the minority. The vast number of people in NYC love the convenience of Uber. The vast number of drivers prefer to work for themselves using Uber versus the yellow medallion owners. The Mayor and City Council's proposal does not represent the will of the people just political payback for their large donors in the taxi industry.
1
A driver from New Jersey says that 'Manhattan is a borough that is not friendly for motorists and I will stay away.' To this I say thank you. I can't count the number of times I've had drivers from New Jersey blare their horns because I'm crossing an intersection at which I have the right of way, park over crosswalks, double park and yes, I've witnessed three cyclists hits by New Jersey drivers. There is NO reason to drive in from New Jersey when there are ample stations served by New Jersey transit. Drive to the transit hub and take public transportation. It will make the city friendlier for people rather than cars.
MTA, get it together. Do what you have to do to make commuting more civil. I appreciate the 'Courtesy Counts' campaign, and it is needed, but we'd all be more courteous if we weren't diving for 6 inches of seat space or holding in our breath to make ourselves smaller so we can wedge ourselves onto dangerously crowded subway cars. Run more subways and buses to alleviate the crushing overcrowding that entices people to drive in the first place.
Lastly, the city is more crowded, and many riders are easily twice the size they were even twenty years ago--(take a train during rush hour and see how often two and even three seats are engulfed by one person)--this alone requires greater frequency of train service. Fix it.
MTA, get it together. Do what you have to do to make commuting more civil. I appreciate the 'Courtesy Counts' campaign, and it is needed, but we'd all be more courteous if we weren't diving for 6 inches of seat space or holding in our breath to make ourselves smaller so we can wedge ourselves onto dangerously crowded subway cars. Run more subways and buses to alleviate the crushing overcrowding that entices people to drive in the first place.
Lastly, the city is more crowded, and many riders are easily twice the size they were even twenty years ago--(take a train during rush hour and see how often two and even three seats are engulfed by one person)--this alone requires greater frequency of train service. Fix it.
11
On one hand you want to make things more civil. On the other hand you go out of your way to insult all NJ drivers. Being insulting will not promote civility.
I've wondered for a long time why they allow people to drive their cars in Manhattan. Why not make everyone park before or just after they cross the bridges or tunnels and then use mass transit or cabs? Traffic would be minimal, less pollution, less accidents... Why not? Make the cabs and buses all use electric.
10
My thoughts -
Improving the subway is the #1 way to fix congestion... the NYC subway system is outdated and overwhelmed. And when building the sorely needed 2nd avenue subway takes 80 years to actually get started, then it takes 10 years to build 30 blocks worth, something is wrong. Metro North and NJT could use a lot of improvement. The gridlock one faces driving in Manhattan is nothing compared to the gridlock faced by those trying to improve the city's infrastructure.
And by the way, I love it that Uber's breaking up the ridiculous taxi medallion system. At its peak a taxi medallion cost more than 1 million dollars - why the hell was the city selling those in perpetuity instead of just charging a yearly fee? You end up with a few middlemen who own all the licenses and basically just get in the way of everyone in their effort to make profits.
Improving the subway is the #1 way to fix congestion... the NYC subway system is outdated and overwhelmed. And when building the sorely needed 2nd avenue subway takes 80 years to actually get started, then it takes 10 years to build 30 blocks worth, something is wrong. Metro North and NJT could use a lot of improvement. The gridlock one faces driving in Manhattan is nothing compared to the gridlock faced by those trying to improve the city's infrastructure.
And by the way, I love it that Uber's breaking up the ridiculous taxi medallion system. At its peak a taxi medallion cost more than 1 million dollars - why the hell was the city selling those in perpetuity instead of just charging a yearly fee? You end up with a few middlemen who own all the licenses and basically just get in the way of everyone in their effort to make profits.
9
The focus on Uber regulation should be public safety and adequate insurance coverage. A portion of that coverage should go back to the city for the cost of regulation and wear and tear from congestion.
Sam Schwartz's proposal for more tolls would just generate further congestion.
The easiest solution for city congestion and uber is to make EZ pass usage mandetory and set congestion rates that charge a premium on EZPass drivers who are working Uber drivers. Cars without EZ pass would be subject to confiscation.
Sam Schwartz's proposal for more tolls would just generate further congestion.
The easiest solution for city congestion and uber is to make EZ pass usage mandetory and set congestion rates that charge a premium on EZPass drivers who are working Uber drivers. Cars without EZ pass would be subject to confiscation.
1
This is a genuine question. Are most taxi drivers and private/black car drivers W-2 employees? If not, why should Uber/Lyft drivers be?
3
I humbly suggest just one simple requirement that Uber shall comply with.
Uber shall provide all its drivers a magnetic sign placing on top of the car. The sign shall be clearly read as "UBER". When passengers are not in the car, the sigh shall be lit on. The sign will be lit off only when passengers are in the car or the driver turns off the app.
The sign requirement will bring in the following benefits to the society:
1 Passengers can easily identify the "UBER" car and get in quickly.
2 We can see how many "UBER" cars on the road with light ON (means no passengers in the car)
3 If there are too may "UBER" cars on the street with light ON, that is wasting gas, time and energy.
There is just one pie. More drivers means smaller slice for each driver. Driver get hurts. Uber still get the same pie regardless of the number of the drivers. Passengers will get faster pick up time because of the saturated drivers. Saturated drivers will cut down driver's income substantially. Also, saturated drivers will cause air pollution, road congestion and wasting of gas, energy, time in driving Uber clueless on the road in hoping to receive a request.
In conclusions, we must set a limit number of UBER drivers. UBER would like everyone drive for UBER. The city shall set a limit of drivers allowed so as to protect the environment and the society.
Uber shall provide all its drivers a magnetic sign placing on top of the car. The sign shall be clearly read as "UBER". When passengers are not in the car, the sigh shall be lit on. The sign will be lit off only when passengers are in the car or the driver turns off the app.
The sign requirement will bring in the following benefits to the society:
1 Passengers can easily identify the "UBER" car and get in quickly.
2 We can see how many "UBER" cars on the road with light ON (means no passengers in the car)
3 If there are too may "UBER" cars on the street with light ON, that is wasting gas, time and energy.
There is just one pie. More drivers means smaller slice for each driver. Driver get hurts. Uber still get the same pie regardless of the number of the drivers. Passengers will get faster pick up time because of the saturated drivers. Saturated drivers will cut down driver's income substantially. Also, saturated drivers will cause air pollution, road congestion and wasting of gas, energy, time in driving Uber clueless on the road in hoping to receive a request.
In conclusions, we must set a limit number of UBER drivers. UBER would like everyone drive for UBER. The city shall set a limit of drivers allowed so as to protect the environment and the society.
2
It is complete ridiculous that I am able to drive a car, by myself, from Brooklyn or Queens to Manhattan, at any time of day, for free. As long as that's possible, you can't expect congestion to change at all.
Every inch of Manhattan - and large parts of the boroughs - should cold serious money to drive a car into during business hours. Enough to make ride sharing/carpooling a necessity, and to put real pressure on improving public transport and spur the development of 'bike highways'.
With NYC topography and weather what it is, there's no reason biking to work shouldn't be as common as it is in northern Europe.
Every inch of Manhattan - and large parts of the boroughs - should cold serious money to drive a car into during business hours. Enough to make ride sharing/carpooling a necessity, and to put real pressure on improving public transport and spur the development of 'bike highways'.
With NYC topography and weather what it is, there's no reason biking to work shouldn't be as common as it is in northern Europe.
7
Uber hardly deserves the blame here.
In Lenox Hill, where I live, most of the congestions is caused by the endless delivery vehicles, constantly double parked all over the neighborhood.
I guess that is the price of convenience and real difficulty in getting anything done in Manhattan without a delivery. Manhattan's defining feature is getting service people to do things for you- all these people come in in vehicles and are a virtually second set of residents that wheel in and out many times a day.
Second offender are the chauffeurs waiting (and idling in mostly bulky Escalades) in front of many buildings and townhouse.
And third is the constant building/house renovations with their trucks and dumpsters and myriad workers.
In Lenox Hill, where I live, most of the congestions is caused by the endless delivery vehicles, constantly double parked all over the neighborhood.
I guess that is the price of convenience and real difficulty in getting anything done in Manhattan without a delivery. Manhattan's defining feature is getting service people to do things for you- all these people come in in vehicles and are a virtually second set of residents that wheel in and out many times a day.
Second offender are the chauffeurs waiting (and idling in mostly bulky Escalades) in front of many buildings and townhouse.
And third is the constant building/house renovations with their trucks and dumpsters and myriad workers.
5
Anyone who drives a car in Manhattan knows what caused traffic congestion. (1) construction and barricades and parked construction truck and cranes; (2) double parked trucks loading and unloading in peak traffic hours; (3) cabs stopping in traffic lanes to pick up and discharge passengers and not pulling to the curb; (4) driving into the “box” so the signal lights mean nothing so to pass through and intersection you have to force your way through 6 inches at a time; the deplorable condition of our roadways and last but not least the preditory, selfish and lawless way taxi drivers cut off other driver, stop in front waiting for a fare and the attitude among some drivers that they are driving an emergency vehicle and have the right of way.
Uber is objectionable because it destroys the job and makes car owners looking for income into what was a shape-up economy where the driver has no benefits or security or rights and supplied the capital.
Uber is objectionable because it destroys the job and makes car owners looking for income into what was a shape-up economy where the driver has no benefits or security or rights and supplied the capital.
2
The biggest problem is too many people. Not the cars, the taxis, etc. Too many people.
2
My thought is to remove the unnecessary impediments on Manhattan streets and sidewalks:
Streets:
1) Remove on-street parking in commercial areas. Rather than build more outrageously-priced luxury condo skyscrapers, build more parking garages and collect revenue from them.
2) Enforce double parking laws and raise fines on violations.
3) Enforce laws on idling vehicles.
4) Restore bus service that was cut years ago so passengers don't have to wait 20 minutes for a bus morning through evening.
Sidewalks:
1) Remove pay phone booths since the phones don't work.
2) Restrict street vendors to only the widest parts of the sidewalk.
3) Widen sidewalks in the most congested areas.
And most importantly, for both streets and sidewalks:
No texting while driving or blocking the sidewalk!
Streets:
1) Remove on-street parking in commercial areas. Rather than build more outrageously-priced luxury condo skyscrapers, build more parking garages and collect revenue from them.
2) Enforce double parking laws and raise fines on violations.
3) Enforce laws on idling vehicles.
4) Restore bus service that was cut years ago so passengers don't have to wait 20 minutes for a bus morning through evening.
Sidewalks:
1) Remove pay phone booths since the phones don't work.
2) Restrict street vendors to only the widest parts of the sidewalk.
3) Widen sidewalks in the most congested areas.
And most importantly, for both streets and sidewalks:
No texting while driving or blocking the sidewalk!
7
The argument over Uber is a distraction from the real problems that have turned driving around Manhattan into an experience that rivals driving through bombed out Syria or Iraq. The streets here are a chaotic mess; constructions, buses, 18-wheelers, bicycles, roller bladders and pedestrians. Second Ave. has been a disaster zone for six years as the Second Aveunue subway which will not alleviate any subway overcrowding, limps along to completion. Bike lanes are a nightmare. They were installed without community oversight and apparently very little thought other than New York can be like Amsterdam. I don't argue to get rid of the, just get hem under control.
We must separate big delivery trucks, and private cars. Establish overnight delivery rules, Sam Schwartz' idea for adjusting tolls on bridges needs to be implemented. But the first priority is to improve bus and subway service so more commuters can leave their cars in outer boroughs and make a quick, clean, safe ride into the city for a fair price. We need a modern sysem to get us from mid-town to the airports. We need a traffic czar to take command of this situation and we need it soon!
We must separate big delivery trucks, and private cars. Establish overnight delivery rules, Sam Schwartz' idea for adjusting tolls on bridges needs to be implemented. But the first priority is to improve bus and subway service so more commuters can leave their cars in outer boroughs and make a quick, clean, safe ride into the city for a fair price. We need a modern sysem to get us from mid-town to the airports. We need a traffic czar to take command of this situation and we need it soon!
2
Tolls on the East River bridges and congestion pricing is an elitist idea that is often proposed. Manhattanites want those from the outer boroughs in Jersey to take trains and buses that are overfilled and often nonexistent. They themselves feel that is the problem not that they are riding in the taxicabs and the rich are in the limos rather than taking a short ride on the subway or bus.
Despite the fact that it is not practical to have a toll plaza built on either side of the major East River bridges this idea persists. It is simply bough prejudice.
Toll bridges barely reduce traffic if there is no other means of getting there by car
The purpose of a bridge is to unite city not divide it
Why is a 4 mile trip to Manhattan more congestive then 4 mile trip downtown within Manhattan. Maybe people should get out of the cabs yellow or otherwise take the train downtown
Despite the fact that it is not practical to have a toll plaza built on either side of the major East River bridges this idea persists. It is simply bough prejudice.
Toll bridges barely reduce traffic if there is no other means of getting there by car
The purpose of a bridge is to unite city not divide it
Why is a 4 mile trip to Manhattan more congestive then 4 mile trip downtown within Manhattan. Maybe people should get out of the cabs yellow or otherwise take the train downtown
15
No, the elitists are the people who drive cars. The non-elitists are those who suffer with mass transportation.
I agree that we need to do something about the execrable state of our socialized mass transit, but the answer is not to allow drivers to hog scarce road space -- just think of how quickly buses could move, and how many there could be, if cars weren't hogging that space.
Charge drivers fairly for the disproportionate space they use and apply the proceeds to mass transit.
I agree that we need to do something about the execrable state of our socialized mass transit, but the answer is not to allow drivers to hog scarce road space -- just think of how quickly buses could move, and how many there could be, if cars weren't hogging that space.
Charge drivers fairly for the disproportionate space they use and apply the proceeds to mass transit.
Uber's the best thing that's happened to NYC transportation since the subway was built. Let it continue to grow and prosper. Mayor de Blasio should start using it--maybe then he'd be on time.
28
DeBlasio and his wife have separate chauffeur driven SUVs. Who was it that said: "Let them eat cake?"
1
Limiting Uber's size is a blunt-force solution to a complex problem. It probably will not really solve anything, and it certainly is not elegant.
But that does not mean it is wrong or unwarranted. Uber has somehow set up a taxi service that does not follow any of the safety ordinances normally associated with such a service.
With this legally dubious competitive advantage, it is now swelling to choke out the infrastructure. Limiting its size is a reasonable stop-gap until a more sophisticated regulatory system can be instituted.
But that does not mean it is wrong or unwarranted. Uber has somehow set up a taxi service that does not follow any of the safety ordinances normally associated with such a service.
With this legally dubious competitive advantage, it is now swelling to choke out the infrastructure. Limiting its size is a reasonable stop-gap until a more sophisticated regulatory system can be instituted.
1
The Schwartz scheme is far from the brilliant plan that its backers claim. First, lucky Manhattanites who live within the zone won't have to pay a dime-- what's so equitable about that? Also- there are many other causes of congestion that are conveniently ignored: lane-blocking construction sites, double parking, road repairs; traffic scofflaw tour buses; bizarre policies that let trucks start crossing the Manhattan Bridge at 3 pm, for starters. And the double charge for someone who doesn't actually enter the "zone", but uses the FDR to go from Brooklyn north of 60th street makes the scheme even more uneven in application. Or should we all use the BQE-- which is also heavily congested during the day? (Note: the scheme does very little for congestion outside the Golden Zone, even as NYC is encouraging development everywhere.) Finally, the congestion is a regional problem, but there aren't any solutions for improving public transportation outside our borders -- to the contrary, it may get worse in New Jersey. Pinning the congestion problems in Uber is nonsensical and blatantly political, but Schwartz' narrow focus isn't the be-all end-all answer.
1
I find the best point to be missed here: some private, app-based taxi services exhibit carpooling behavior, which is and/or should be a vaunted trend vis-a-vis reducing congestion. In particular, a service called Via has a premise solely based upon matching taxi-riders along the same route and collecting up to half a dozen of them in a single vehicle! Uber's carshare option is limited to 2 parties (up to 4 riders total) but should be promoted as well.
Instead of crass car cutting, what we need is in the right incentivizing. Perhaps the city should offer benefits to private taxi services that utilize ride-sharing. Perhaps we limit the number of hours or time of day during which private taxi services can pick up lone passengers.
There are so very many options, which do not even require exceptional nuance, and can attack the actual issue of congestion by promoting environmentally friendly good actors. Such is my (partial) prescription.
Instead of crass car cutting, what we need is in the right incentivizing. Perhaps the city should offer benefits to private taxi services that utilize ride-sharing. Perhaps we limit the number of hours or time of day during which private taxi services can pick up lone passengers.
There are so very many options, which do not even require exceptional nuance, and can attack the actual issue of congestion by promoting environmentally friendly good actors. Such is my (partial) prescription.
3
1) increased support for bicycles and long boards.
2) make it almost impossible for private non-delivery vehicles to enter the city. Huge parking at the outskirts and public conveyance to city center with uber lyft taxies buses trains etc.
3) all ubers lyfts and taxis hybrid or electric or illegal. buses natural gas.
The point is to get ALL PRIVATE cars out of city and to increase mass transit
2) make it almost impossible for private non-delivery vehicles to enter the city. Huge parking at the outskirts and public conveyance to city center with uber lyft taxies buses trains etc.
3) all ubers lyfts and taxis hybrid or electric or illegal. buses natural gas.
The point is to get ALL PRIVATE cars out of city and to increase mass transit
2
Right. Because everyone knows that the affluent, elites, and rich of of the city will live their lives on bicycles and long boards.
There may be some good arguments for regulating Uber but traffic congestion is not one of them. Two administrations, the Bloomberg administration and the DeBlasio administration, have done all they could to slow traffic down, not to speed it up. Traffic calming. Bike lanes (a terrible policy which continues to have actual human casualties). The "Vision Zero" program which includes some smart initiatives along with such stupidities as turning major corridors like Eastern Parkway into small town speedtraps.
From the foregoing it is clear that deBlasio's accusation that Uber is slowing down traffic is disingenous and, frankly, hypocritical.
Viewed objectively, any for-hire transportation, including Uber, which adds efficiencies to the existing system, is superior from a policy point of view than use of private cars in a major city. The more alternatives there are to the private car there are, the better, and Uber is one such viable alternative.
From the foregoing it is clear that deBlasio's accusation that Uber is slowing down traffic is disingenous and, frankly, hypocritical.
Viewed objectively, any for-hire transportation, including Uber, which adds efficiencies to the existing system, is superior from a policy point of view than use of private cars in a major city. The more alternatives there are to the private car there are, the better, and Uber is one such viable alternative.
19
Uber intends to be the regulator of regulators of the hire car business. Uber uber alles.
Put in more bike lanes! Maybe the increased traffic they create will incentivize overweight, unhealthy drivers visiting, commuting or living in New York (and once again drinking their Bloomberg-banned Big Gulps) to grab a Citibike instead; thus saving lives through diet, air quality and safer conditions for bicyclers. Four quality of life problems; traffic congestion, obesity, bike safety and air pollution - all solved at once! New York was, is and always should be a "walking city". If your in a hurry, ride a bike. I can get anywhere in Manhattan in 15 minutes on my bike, how long does it take Uber?
One other thought, New Yorkers who are elderly, disabled or victims of fire, crime and medical emergencies are suffering more than anyone from the increase in traffic congestion. It would be nice to save the streets for those vehicles (i.e. paratransit buses, police cars, fire trucks and ambulances) that absolutely need reasonably traffic-free access. How many New Yorkers die each year because their rescue vehicle is stuck behind Uber cars and stretch limos?
One other thought, New Yorkers who are elderly, disabled or victims of fire, crime and medical emergencies are suffering more than anyone from the increase in traffic congestion. It would be nice to save the streets for those vehicles (i.e. paratransit buses, police cars, fire trucks and ambulances) that absolutely need reasonably traffic-free access. How many New Yorkers die each year because their rescue vehicle is stuck behind Uber cars and stretch limos?
1
Uber cars are among the most efficient on the road. Consider a taxi ride from Manhattan to Newark Airport.
Taxi: due to archaic regulations, the NYC taxi is forced to return from Newark to NYC empty (the NYC taxi is not allowed to pick up a NYC-bound rider at Newark Airport). All that wasted fuel and exhaust so the taxi can drive back to NYC empty. Somebody has to pay for that waste and that "somebody" is the taxi customer - a NYC taxi fare to Newark airport is about $100!
Uber: efficiently picks up passengers for both directions. No stupid regulations that force the car to return empty to NYC. No wasted fuel and exhaust. And guess who Uber passes the savings along to? Me and You! The fare from NYC to Newark (or vice versa) is only about $65. Good for road congestion...good for the environment...and good for my wallet.
If De Blasio was really concerned about efficiency and road congestion, why doesn't he eliminate the archaic NYC taxi rules that force yellow taxis to return from Newark Airport empty?
Taxi: due to archaic regulations, the NYC taxi is forced to return from Newark to NYC empty (the NYC taxi is not allowed to pick up a NYC-bound rider at Newark Airport). All that wasted fuel and exhaust so the taxi can drive back to NYC empty. Somebody has to pay for that waste and that "somebody" is the taxi customer - a NYC taxi fare to Newark airport is about $100!
Uber: efficiently picks up passengers for both directions. No stupid regulations that force the car to return empty to NYC. No wasted fuel and exhaust. And guess who Uber passes the savings along to? Me and You! The fare from NYC to Newark (or vice versa) is only about $65. Good for road congestion...good for the environment...and good for my wallet.
If De Blasio was really concerned about efficiency and road congestion, why doesn't he eliminate the archaic NYC taxi rules that force yellow taxis to return from Newark Airport empty?
1
What is it about Uber that gets our politicians so upset? It is one of those free-market services that really works. I love it. My two millennial children introduced me to the service and, after a couple hours in an airport and in a plane, I know I have Uber to make the ride home uneventful and efficient. I understand the position the Taxi industry ---in a market economy, they are doomed to disappear, unless they adopt a form of the Uber platform. But, the hostility in some of the cities I fly to from the political class astounds me. This is the same group who builds stadium after stadium and awards huge tax breaks to corporations to bring in business and yet, declares war on a business that makes businessman and women more willing to come to town a do business.
29
Uber should be limited.
Any look at Manhattan and it is clear that Uber has added vehicles and added to traffic congestion and pollution. Appalling to see the number of big SUVs ferrying around one passenger. Not to mention Uber's unethical "Wal-Mart" business model.
But this editorial makes no mention of another cause of congestion - the growth of internet commerce and "instant gratification" delivery. There is a clear increase in delivery vehicles in NYC - Google delivery, grocery delivery such as Instacart or Fresh Direct, Amazon via UPS etc.
It was not too long ago that New Yorkers who lived in walkable neighborhoods actually walked to the supermarket or drugstore. Now, and particularly with an increasingly wealth demographic, they order and have some anonymous low-paid person do their errands. And no matter how small the item, it must be delivered "instantly."
Any look at Manhattan and it is clear that Uber has added vehicles and added to traffic congestion and pollution. Appalling to see the number of big SUVs ferrying around one passenger. Not to mention Uber's unethical "Wal-Mart" business model.
But this editorial makes no mention of another cause of congestion - the growth of internet commerce and "instant gratification" delivery. There is a clear increase in delivery vehicles in NYC - Google delivery, grocery delivery such as Instacart or Fresh Direct, Amazon via UPS etc.
It was not too long ago that New Yorkers who lived in walkable neighborhoods actually walked to the supermarket or drugstore. Now, and particularly with an increasingly wealth demographic, they order and have some anonymous low-paid person do their errands. And no matter how small the item, it must be delivered "instantly."
4
Go to Bordeaux, France to see the relatively new, quiet, streamlined electric trams. I would be ecstatic to see a similar system in NYC. Imagine Broadway, Central Park West, Lexington Avenue and Second Avenue (the longest, costliest and disruptive 10 blocks of new subway nightmare) with electric trams running north and south, making express stops only, to move our citizens to and fro! Imagine!
Uber is a terrific service filling a void by the taxi industry, which has become complacent and simply doesn't care. Try to get a cab when it's raining. Try to get a cab when they're almost off duty. Try to get a cab, in which the driver speaks English (or simply doesn't feign not understanding English). I have been in thousands of cabs in NYC and the vast majority are malodorous and unpleasant. The whole concept of an app based on demand car service is revolutionary. I have used Uber many times in NYC and other cities and in my opinion have found the drivers to be rather pleasant (their job depends on ratings from every fare as opposed to the cab drivers who couldn't care less). The vehicles are generally much better maintained and comfortable. The service is a boon to getting around NYC and the American way of allowing new industry (or vast improvement of old industry) should be allowed to flourish. The taxi industry has remained complacent with little thought about how to improved their service. That's the way it goes. If you can't keep up with the times then get out of the way. Regarding the "congestion," this is simply a smokescreen for the taxi industry to squelch the new competition. The government should not insert themselves into this. Let the cards fall as they may.
44
The slowdown of traffic from 2009 to present cited in this article exactly parallels the unfettered building and development going on across Manhattan. Every day, even on weekends, streets are closed while cranes are installed or taken down, cement trucks are lining up to pour concrete foundations, and many streets -- including the one I live on - have had lanes "temporarily" taken over for construction loading and unloading for well over a year. This is allowed by the City without any broad overview of impact. Put a street closing for a crane installation in the same neighborhood as a summer street festival and you've got traffic chaos.
10
How about getting rid of bicycle lanes and making the roads a little wider as a result? So the bikers will go back to using public transit. If you want to bike, bike on the greenways -- like the west side highway path, for example. In general, bicycling in NYC is not safe to anyone -- pedestrians, bikers themselves, and car drivers. All these new bike lanes were a beautiful dream, but the reality is that they made everything works. No one enjoys driving a car in Manhattan, and if someone drives a car there it is because they absolutely have to. With bikers, I feel, they can get to where they need to get by using public transportation. Let's not pretend that we can have it all in NYC and stretch it's resources endlessly.
Written by a pedestrian, biker, and a car driver.
Written by a pedestrian, biker, and a car driver.
7
Why do think your right to drive a car trumps my right to ride a bike?
Truly, everyone looks at it from their own advantage point. If you drive into the city, you're not going to want congestion pricing or anything that hinders you clogging the streets. But the reality is, it will never get better. As long as more and more people move in and the infrastructure stays the same, it will be awful. Look around at all the new buildings going up. How much new subway is being added? It's a joke. I always say when I retire in a couple of years I want to stay in NY. But honestly, when I look at it realistically, this is no way to live, constantly fighting for a small space to move around in. There are too many people, not just here, but everywhere.
2
Uber cars and taxis should be hybrids or electric if more of either are going to congest the city. It's 2015, with 25,000 Uber drivers and any of their cars are HUGE gas guzzlers. There are other issues to be concerned about too!
1
I'm concerned when I hear about surcharges on metered-tax rides as a means of limiting traffic congestion, particularly when the proposal is to apply those equally to taxis and car services. Taxis and traditional local car services offering flat rate pricing for travel between defined zones help reduce congestion by providing a pooled resource that augments the mass transit system. I'm not a fan of UBER because on the two times I considered using the service, "surge pricing" was in effect and made the prospect so exorbitantly that I declined; however, I have no doubt someone in a higher income bracket than me would be happy to pay UBER rates. I am concerned that the city not put the burden of the costs of reducing congestion on users of the traditional services that are just more cost effective for the average New Yorker than new entrants in the market like UBER. Any proposal has to keep lower and middle income workers who live in New York in mind.
3
The answer is to make Manhattan and small car only area except for commerical vehicles. Such as smart cars etc. No Suburban's etc. And special emphasis on electric cars. Perhaps free parking with charging stations in 50% of the available spots.
Anyhow, New Yorkers are super rich. They can easily afford to fix the problem rather than complain
Anyhow, New Yorkers are super rich. They can easily afford to fix the problem rather than complain
1
Most New Yorkers are not super rich.
1
Uber and yellow cabs are substitutes that compete on price and quality. Capping the number of cars will not limit the growing demand to ride in for-hire vehicles. If the number of Uber cars are capped, people will just switch back to taxis (if they can). That means that a car, driving that passenger, will still be on the road regardless. The number of car-hours on the road will not change.
The only difference will be that the taxis have less competition, so they will have no incentive to provide a better (cleaner, safer, nicer) experience, and no downward pressure on prices. The mayor's plan ignores these basic facts about transportation system.
There are millions of people in this city that vastly prefer Uber over taxis. Why should the mayor ignore these people under by creating false pretenses, so that he can favor a few rich donors in the taxi industry?
The only difference will be that the taxis have less competition, so they will have no incentive to provide a better (cleaner, safer, nicer) experience, and no downward pressure on prices. The mayor's plan ignores these basic facts about transportation system.
There are millions of people in this city that vastly prefer Uber over taxis. Why should the mayor ignore these people under by creating false pretenses, so that he can favor a few rich donors in the taxi industry?
7
Those of us in Manhattan have plentiful yellow cab service, and the advantage of Uber to us is limited. The outer boro situation is completely different. Want to come back from BAM late? Try Uber. As for the drivers, they love Uber. We have taken tons of Uber in Miami and San Francisco and I always talk to the drivers. The dirtiest Uber I have ever taken is cleaner than the cleanest NYC yellow. The occasional terrible yellow driver would be fired by Uber after a few terrible ratings by customers; ever try a complaint at the government bureaucracy?
I cynically assume that the politically connected medallion business has bought the politicians, at least some of them. But if Uber is a bad idea it will lose customers and lose drivers: as it is, it is gaining customers and gaining drivers. Hence the bought and paid for politicians are trying to stop it.
Don't let them.
I cynically assume that the politically connected medallion business has bought the politicians, at least some of them. But if Uber is a bad idea it will lose customers and lose drivers: as it is, it is gaining customers and gaining drivers. Hence the bought and paid for politicians are trying to stop it.
Don't let them.
14
With subway ridership at an all time high you'd think that service would improve. Service is unreliable, time between trains seems to be getting longer, frequent stoppages (with the expected incomprehensible announcements) delay trips and the cars insanely packed. If the service were more reliable, ubers,etc would be a less appealing option.
6
1) Auto congestion is exacerbated by bike lanes, bus lanes, median lanes, new turning rules, etc., which have greatly impeded the flow of traffic by taking away half of most avenues and side streets. Stopped vehicles (taxis picking up, trucks, double parkers) then reduce flow to a single lane. Add on top of that any construction lanes and it isn't just volume that is the cause of congestion, it's restricted flow, like a bathtub drain that's clogged. Not well thought through!
1A) Same as our sidewalks btw but that's a different story. More sidewalk cafe permits, bike stands, bus kiosks, ever present scaffolding, and pedestrian flow is down to single-file also. Not well thought through.
2) Congestion pricing in "midtown" ignores the many residents of midtown who may need to use a car whether for transit or even just occasionally to exit/enter the city. (And please skip the "who needs a car" chorus. People need cars for all sorts of legitimate reasons.) So far there is no plan for that. Why should one district of residents be penalized while the Upper West and Upper East and other districts are exempt? Residents of the "congestion zone" pay the same exorbitant fees to keep a car as every other car owner does. I've written to representatives and so far MOVE NY is OBLIVIOUS to the fact that "midtown" is also heavily residential. Not fair, Not well thought through either.
1A) Same as our sidewalks btw but that's a different story. More sidewalk cafe permits, bike stands, bus kiosks, ever present scaffolding, and pedestrian flow is down to single-file also. Not well thought through.
2) Congestion pricing in "midtown" ignores the many residents of midtown who may need to use a car whether for transit or even just occasionally to exit/enter the city. (And please skip the "who needs a car" chorus. People need cars for all sorts of legitimate reasons.) So far there is no plan for that. Why should one district of residents be penalized while the Upper West and Upper East and other districts are exempt? Residents of the "congestion zone" pay the same exorbitant fees to keep a car as every other car owner does. I've written to representatives and so far MOVE NY is OBLIVIOUS to the fact that "midtown" is also heavily residential. Not fair, Not well thought through either.
6
Does Uber go to poorly served neighborhoods?
Congestion? Pollution?Noise? How about the fleets of double decker buses that ram down all the major thoroughfare and beyond? This is a living city, not Disneyland. And the packs of motorcycles tearing down the streets with headsplitting noises? Why is it so hard to regulate?
Congestion? Pollution?Noise? How about the fleets of double decker buses that ram down all the major thoroughfare and beyond? This is a living city, not Disneyland. And the packs of motorcycles tearing down the streets with headsplitting noises? Why is it so hard to regulate?
2
Yes, Uber does go to poorly served neighborhoods. They will also take you to other poorly served neighborhoods without complaint, unlike 90% of yellow cabs I have taken. Finally, Uber drivers almost invariably have GPS, so you don't also have to do the work of navigating your driver through the city (especially useful for visitors who may be unfamiliar with routes).
31
Traffic in London improved when the congestion charge was introduced. This was accompanied by the addition of a large number of additional buses. It is aided by the dedicated bus lane, buses and licensed taxi only. This thing can be done at reasonable cost. Encourage people to take the bus, and discourage them from driving themselves. It works.
2
Last week I read an article about people in cartoon costumes besieging parts of NY demanding payment from tourists for pictures. One part of the city runs them off and that gets in the newspaper and gives hundreds of more people the idea of how to make a quick buck and twice as many show up.
Uber is the same thing, it was supposed to be people who already lived there using their own cars as sort of a carpooling service but as soon as word got out, thousands of people saw it as a way to make a quick buck and drove to the city to cash in.
Anytime something comes along that dubious people think they can exploit, they are going to do it! This is why we can't have nice things, bad actors will always mess it up for the rest.
The only way to stop these bad actors, dubious characters, the schemers and plotters of the world is to provide good services to begin with so there is no perceived need for the service of swindlers.
Other countries do not have these problems because they provided good services to begin with. Adding a bunch of taxes is just going to make it worse, make the shady even more shady and anyone with a lick of sense knows this.
Uber is the same thing, it was supposed to be people who already lived there using their own cars as sort of a carpooling service but as soon as word got out, thousands of people saw it as a way to make a quick buck and drove to the city to cash in.
Anytime something comes along that dubious people think they can exploit, they are going to do it! This is why we can't have nice things, bad actors will always mess it up for the rest.
The only way to stop these bad actors, dubious characters, the schemers and plotters of the world is to provide good services to begin with so there is no perceived need for the service of swindlers.
Other countries do not have these problems because they provided good services to begin with. Adding a bunch of taxes is just going to make it worse, make the shady even more shady and anyone with a lick of sense knows this.
11
Our leadership needs to get over their hysterical fears of congestion pricing. Raise the tolls on the bridges and tunnels significantly, plough that money into improving and increasing train service to the city. Man up, stop being such pathetic cowards. Improved air quality and reduced city traffic will be a wonderful benefit.
Exactly what dd anyone think would happen if you take away traffic lanes for bicycles,closing off the biggest intersection of them all Times Square, take away parking space for Citibikes, take away more lanes for "traffic control" i.e West 86th Street, Central Park West, Columbus Ave etc, etc, and stagger traffic lights IN ORDER TO SLOW TRAFFIC to 25 mph? OMG, the traffic slows down! If traffic makes it not worth it to come to the city, people will not come to Manhattan. Who drives to the city? Nyers who live in the other boroughs where it would take 2-3x as long to use public transportation to come in, NJ tourists who go work and entertainment because public transportation is not feasible or efficient and ditto the suburbs. If we drive all of those away, there will be less traffic and the zillionaires will be able to zip around in their limos and Uber cars.The path of good intentions...
8
"Do you want to walk there or do we have time to take a cab?"
5
The problem with Uber is that its business model is essentially insurance arbitrage. The company outsources all of the risk to the drivers and passengers, and keeps profits for itself.
People get sucked in by the lure of cheap, convenient rides---until they're in an accident and realize they're responsible for ALL costs and damages because the driver was underinsured and Uber refuses to pay.
Folks who think that's a bargain--go for it. The rest of us will stick to businesses where there's an honest acceptance of risk up front.
People get sucked in by the lure of cheap, convenient rides---until they're in an accident and realize they're responsible for ALL costs and damages because the driver was underinsured and Uber refuses to pay.
Folks who think that's a bargain--go for it. The rest of us will stick to businesses where there's an honest acceptance of risk up front.
5
Uber schmoover, this has nothing to do with a car service. What it has to do with is the narrowing of the major arteries of the city. It shouldn’t be a surprise that traffic would slow down to a crawl with what's been done. During the Bloomberg administration many changes were made that altered traffic patterns on and to major arteries in the city: Bike lanes, cement and other projectiles and dividers in streets, bus lanes, moving limited parking from the curb to the middle of the street, Citibike parking, which takes up curb space and limits parking, large or small pedestrian malls in the middle of roads. It’s no surprise that there is back up on major and secondary roads. Cabs still pull over to pick up and let people out. Trucks still double park for pickups and deliveries. Bike lanes aren’t used that much; bikers do what they always have done, namely, go wherever they want. Vehicles of all types have to negotiate their way around all of this mess. If you were to remove the barriers to free flow of traffic, you would have fewer problems. Similarly, if you remove plaque from an artery, you might not have a heart attack but remember you got to also put down the fork and limit the bacon.
31
Countless major cities (Paris, London, Munich, Atlanta, Vancouver, Tokyo, Washington, D.C., Boston, Rome, etc) provide public mass transportation from city centers to stops at their international airports. Public mass transportation to terminals servicing NYC would reduce traffic and congestion significantly.
1
They should stagger delivery shipments in the city with trucks, etc. and anything else that could be done off hours before 9 or after 5 that would solve a lot of frustration and inconvenience. Tolls should not be increased.
2
Honestly the solution is very simple. Enforce traffic rules. It is bad that there is a lot of traffic but it is made many times worse by double-parkers and grid-lockers. Technology makes it easy to hand out tickets for every single violation. Start doing that and drivers will behave and congestion will be dramatically reduced.
34
The state legislature regulates how many ticket-generating traffic cameras can be used in the city and the republicans up state keep the number low. That (cameras/tickets/better behavior by drivers) would be a super easy fix and make money for the city too, but the city's hands are tied.
I was appalled by my visit back to Manhattan earlier this year. The subways and buses were running less frequently and seemed not only more crowded but dirtier than when I moved away some 8 years ago.
But one-off attempts to solve the problem will not help. I would like to see a COMPLETE analysis of who is using the streets. My impression is that they were flooded with the private car services of the affluent, but impressions aren't data. I'd like to see some hard numbers.
Congestion pricing must be part of the solution, but so should other ways to limit use of dense urban areas by private autos.
And given the limits of the subway, surface transit must be expanded -- not just by buses, but by electric trams with their own right-of-way.
This problem needs a full spectrum of medications.
But one-off attempts to solve the problem will not help. I would like to see a COMPLETE analysis of who is using the streets. My impression is that they were flooded with the private car services of the affluent, but impressions aren't data. I'd like to see some hard numbers.
Congestion pricing must be part of the solution, but so should other ways to limit use of dense urban areas by private autos.
And given the limits of the subway, surface transit must be expanded -- not just by buses, but by electric trams with their own right-of-way.
This problem needs a full spectrum of medications.
15
The subways are irreplaceable, and those who drive cars -- hogging a disproportionate amount of road space while the subways have to be built at great cost underground -- should have to pay their fair share of the cost, which would make car travel in the most congested areas much more expensive than travel by subway or bus.
Lucky you, Ed. Most major European cities have good public transportation, unlike our uncivilized, selfish car culture. Just check out how many single passenger cars congest and pollute our cities, which create intolerable travel situations for many. Our culture of independence and individual rights has turned into selfishness.
UBER a free market answer to yellow cabs how awful. No more not getting a cab in the rain or at shift changing time. No more begging a driver to take you where you want to go even though your paying for it! A good consumer service and the government response is to interfere with regulation and taxes.Not to mention the job creation in a market for the working class that has been a disaster since Wall Street got to play Casino...Let the medallion industry deal with a free market and watch the prices of the medallions come back to earth. Innovation and technology have created a new product. Would anybody advocate a fee on mobile phones so pay phone booths could be reestablished?
6
Uber needs to be regulated just like cabs and that will change the demographics here. Either Uber becomes a employer of standing with those working for them have Insurance, paid for well maintained cars and forced into the Affordable Care Act like all other companies, all wages percentage wise over the minimum wage of 50 percent.
Increase the public transportation system will also help.
Increase the public transportation system will also help.
38
TAXIS DO NOT GIVE INSURANCE TO THE DRIVERS
Look at London. Charge $50 for non-Manhattan residents to drive below 96th Street during the week.
The congestion problem will not be solved - this is all about protecting the owners of those medallions. As for congestion pricing, this is a brutally discriminatory practice designed to remove the lower and middle class from having access to public transportation.
1
It's easy, only allow delivery trucks after 7 pm like most other big cities. Most of the traffic inside Manhattan is doubled or tripled parked delivery trucks.
1
Since regulation is the only barrier to entry to the hire car business, nobody makes money in the business without it.
The only reason that Uber is being limited is because the corrupt, multi-millionaire NY City Council President Mark-Viverito has taken tens of thousands of dollars of campaign dirty money from various taxi owners/trade associations.
She, like most of the NYC politicians, have no loyalty to their citizens, only loyalty to the almighty dollar, like many of the NY City politicians that have been sent to jail over the past decade.
She, like most of the NYC politicians, have no loyalty to their citizens, only loyalty to the almighty dollar, like many of the NY City politicians that have been sent to jail over the past decade.
1
One simple solution:
Build segregated bike lanes.
Considering the US is the fattest and most polluting major nation in the world, this wouldn't just end congestion. And given that most New Yorkers live relatively close to their workplace and shops, improving cycling facilities would make more sense in NYC than anywhere else in the US.
Limiting Uber won’t end congestion, ending limits to sustainable transport will.
Build segregated bike lanes.
Considering the US is the fattest and most polluting major nation in the world, this wouldn't just end congestion. And given that most New Yorkers live relatively close to their workplace and shops, improving cycling facilities would make more sense in NYC than anywhere else in the US.
Limiting Uber won’t end congestion, ending limits to sustainable transport will.
1
Why think so incrementally. Want to limit congestion and lower fatalities from cars? Make Nyc the poster child for self driving vehicles. Collaborate with manufacturers. Remove restrictions (aggressively but thoughtfully). This will allow for more efficient car sharing/pooling, reduce accidents, reduce need for cars to circle looking for parking, etc.
1
It defies logic that putting thousands of more cars on the streets doesn't increase congestion. That's exactly what Uber is doing and no amount of number fudging is going to obscure that simple fact. If anything, the city needs to regulate the increase in private car companies, the Times reports a 63 per cent rise since 2011. If the Times is concerned about making taxis available in all 5 boros they need only look to the solution that is already in place, green cabs.
1
The Uber issue isn't as simple as congestion. They hurt taxi drivers - not the rentier medallion holders, but the people working hard just too feed their families - do any decision about their expansion had to take that into account.
As for congestion, study Singapore and apply what they did re pricing and tracking for the above ground problem. The technology is easy nowadays to track and bill cars by their license plates, discounts to those who install an EZ-pass type of device. And, please, do clean up the subways with the revenue raised. They're a disgrace to the greatest city in the world.
As for congestion, study Singapore and apply what they did re pricing and tracking for the above ground problem. The technology is easy nowadays to track and bill cars by their license plates, discounts to those who install an EZ-pass type of device. And, please, do clean up the subways with the revenue raised. They're a disgrace to the greatest city in the world.
1
With all due respect, the Editorial Board does not have a clue. From the 1960’s (driving into NYC with my parents) to the 1970’s (when I got my license) to now, (as an attorney I drive into NYC every day for work) I have seen the change in traffic for over 5 decades.
As to every facet of City life, commuting included, NYC is a vehicle city. The streets are the vasculature, the vehicles the life blood. It was planned for a lot of wheeled traffic, hence the straight line gird.
Rather than accept that fact and work with it organically, Mayor Bloomberg with his effete, Eurocentric mindset tried to turn this beast into Amsterdam with its small narrow streets and passive style.
Take Sixth Ave for instance. Trucks taking over the lanes by the curb to make deliveries have always and will always exist as will trucks double parked to do the same and buses changing lanes to get around them. Cabs stopping wherever are a fact of life as is the back-up for turning lanes awaiting a break in crossing pedestrians. Yet we functioned because there were 5 lanes. Due to Bloomberg’s destructive policies…the arteries of NY are clogged and it is man-made.
All of the above referenced traffic situations happen every day…all day, just like it has for decades. The only difference now is that due to the bike lanes there is only one usable lane for traffic flow.
Take out the bike lanes. Have the NYPD enforce traffic and parking laws and give a brain to the DOT….that is how to start.
As to every facet of City life, commuting included, NYC is a vehicle city. The streets are the vasculature, the vehicles the life blood. It was planned for a lot of wheeled traffic, hence the straight line gird.
Rather than accept that fact and work with it organically, Mayor Bloomberg with his effete, Eurocentric mindset tried to turn this beast into Amsterdam with its small narrow streets and passive style.
Take Sixth Ave for instance. Trucks taking over the lanes by the curb to make deliveries have always and will always exist as will trucks double parked to do the same and buses changing lanes to get around them. Cabs stopping wherever are a fact of life as is the back-up for turning lanes awaiting a break in crossing pedestrians. Yet we functioned because there were 5 lanes. Due to Bloomberg’s destructive policies…the arteries of NY are clogged and it is man-made.
All of the above referenced traffic situations happen every day…all day, just like it has for decades. The only difference now is that due to the bike lanes there is only one usable lane for traffic flow.
Take out the bike lanes. Have the NYPD enforce traffic and parking laws and give a brain to the DOT….that is how to start.
8
This starting to look like a scene out of the movie "Popeye," where everything was taxed, as well as there being a tax for no tax. It is totally ludicrous to believe that taxing anything is going to curtail congestion. Knowing plenty of people that try to get around in the city using public transportation, they would all tell you the same thing, "Improve it." This will sound trivial but just having better machines from which to purchase a subway ticket would probably solve the problem in and of itself, especially for those who are occasional users, who would like to avoid having to drive in New York. The restriction on Uber sounds unAmerican. It is more important to know if these people are registered, properly insured, and traceable.
1
Uber is a blight on the city and should be banned. Congregating in transit-rich Manhattan, they endanger everyone with their nonstop moving and parking violations.
They speed whenever possible. Huge black Navigators go 40 up my short crosstown block, near a busy school and subway, to make the light. They double park everywhere and at length -- in bike lanes, bus stops, crosswalks -- their engines spewing heat and stink. They drive recklessly and change lanes erratically. They fling open car doors into traffic -- yesterday I saw a cyclist narrowly miss being thrown under moving traffic. I called that driver out -- he waved his arms threateningly at me. Uber blocks every crosswalk and intersection in my 'hood, forcing vulnerable pedestrians out into moving traffic or to squeeze between bumpers.
Disrupters indeed -- by interfering with traffic order and laws, Uber drivers make the streets crazier and more dangerous. This culture of aggression and arrogance is baked into the company and management. Uber seeks to profit from unfair advantage of regulations and competitors, and by appealing to the most selfish instincts of its riders. Everyone else is treated with contempt.
If we need more for-hires, let them be yellow and green cabs. Capably regulated by the TLC, (now customer-friendly), cabs circulate constantly rather than blocking the streets. As a cyclist, I find most cabbies to be cautious and cooperative driving around me, and patient. They're the real pros.
They speed whenever possible. Huge black Navigators go 40 up my short crosstown block, near a busy school and subway, to make the light. They double park everywhere and at length -- in bike lanes, bus stops, crosswalks -- their engines spewing heat and stink. They drive recklessly and change lanes erratically. They fling open car doors into traffic -- yesterday I saw a cyclist narrowly miss being thrown under moving traffic. I called that driver out -- he waved his arms threateningly at me. Uber blocks every crosswalk and intersection in my 'hood, forcing vulnerable pedestrians out into moving traffic or to squeeze between bumpers.
Disrupters indeed -- by interfering with traffic order and laws, Uber drivers make the streets crazier and more dangerous. This culture of aggression and arrogance is baked into the company and management. Uber seeks to profit from unfair advantage of regulations and competitors, and by appealing to the most selfish instincts of its riders. Everyone else is treated with contempt.
If we need more for-hires, let them be yellow and green cabs. Capably regulated by the TLC, (now customer-friendly), cabs circulate constantly rather than blocking the streets. As a cyclist, I find most cabbies to be cautious and cooperative driving around me, and patient. They're the real pros.
3
Gypsy cabs are discouraged because they are unregulated and not taxed. Uber is the same with an app.
The Uber ads that decry the wealth of the medallion taxi industry do not mention that the market values Uber at $50 billion.
The Uber ads that decry the wealth of the medallion taxi industry do not mention that the market values Uber at $50 billion.
1
Like I would believe that any estimated $1.5 billion would actually address our congestion problems. Once you skim the cream off of that for "studies", more bureaucracy to administer it, and employee raises and increased benefits and pensions, history suggests precious little will trickle down to actually address the problem it's aimed at. Then the pols will say they need more money! The insane circle continues.
1
No mention of cheaper gas prices? That is undoubtedly a cause of more vehicles in Manhattan.
Uber makes its money off the backs of its drivers, who work for little money. If they were forced to treat their drivers as employees, pay the same surcharge per ride as taxi, be fully insured, then Uber wouldn't exist.
But they are a small drop in New York's traffic congestion problem. Congestion pricing is the quickest way way to end the traffic problems. Improved public transit, and building the Trans-Hudson tunnel project killed by Christie should be priorities. Raise the gas taxes.
Until NYC makes radical changes, we'll just have to wait for higher gas prices to
cause a fraction of the traffic to drop in Manhattan.
Uber makes its money off the backs of its drivers, who work for little money. If they were forced to treat their drivers as employees, pay the same surcharge per ride as taxi, be fully insured, then Uber wouldn't exist.
But they are a small drop in New York's traffic congestion problem. Congestion pricing is the quickest way way to end the traffic problems. Improved public transit, and building the Trans-Hudson tunnel project killed by Christie should be priorities. Raise the gas taxes.
Until NYC makes radical changes, we'll just have to wait for higher gas prices to
cause a fraction of the traffic to drop in Manhattan.
3
Uber causes less congestion than traditional taxis, and much less than private cars. An Uber car is only on the streets when heading to pick up a customer or to transport them. It's not there in the hope of being hailed on the street. Nor is it parked on the street to be used once or twice as a private car.
1
So where does an Uber car stay when it is "between rides"? Sep. in Manhattan?
Anyplace that isn't a no standing zone, with the engine running.
where exactly do you think they are when not picking up a fare ?
in some safe haven in NJ ?
yes they are on the streets or parked
and gee whiz they do pick up people on the streets
I was charged $ 30 to go 20 blocks because it was raining from an uber hailed on the street
and they are not insured properly
many people are ignorant about Uber
in some safe haven in NJ ?
yes they are on the streets or parked
and gee whiz they do pick up people on the streets
I was charged $ 30 to go 20 blocks because it was raining from an uber hailed on the street
and they are not insured properly
many people are ignorant about Uber
Bottom line - ban all private cars in Manhattan. Mass Transit/Regulate the rest.
It's that simple.
(and I quit Uber - great price, bad value, dangerous unaccountable drivers)
It's that simple.
(and I quit Uber - great price, bad value, dangerous unaccountable drivers)
3
"Bottom line - ban all private cars in Manhattan. Mass Transit/Regulate the rest."
Says someone from LA.
Says someone from LA.
1
Good luck trying to get government to fund anything these days. The powerful business lobby will squish any initiative that doesn't involve a cut for them. Public anything equals bad in their twisted upside-down world. Next up: Medicare which they are salivating to replace with private insurance solutions so that insurance companies can get their cut of the action. They have already successfully replaced pensions with 401(k) plans forcing workers to gamble their retirement savings to the bust-boom swings of the stock market.
Santa Monica - where I don't drive! They should ban cars here too!
We need to follow cities like London and add congestion charges. Too many cars have one person in them this would discourage that practice. And we need to discourage trucks from 7-9AM when children are going to school and everyone is commuting to work. Children get the worst hit as they are inhaling directly at the height of truck exhaust. Trucks double park exacerbating congestion at the worst time of the day. And whose bright idea was it to have garbage collected during rush hour??? seriously?? I recall growing up that it would happen in the wee hours = we need to return to that for some sanity on our streets. Common sense needs to prevail.
The Mayor should learn from the past and global partners I fear he does not have the capacity to do this.
The Mayor should learn from the past and global partners I fear he does not have the capacity to do this.
2
Don't restrict Uber, Lyft etc. Instead focus on private cars. Other cities should envy NYC as they have a realistic opportunity to ban all private cars within the Manhattan and Upper East/West areas. Replace with more lyft, uber, and buses. Tax - taxis, uber/lyft to go into bus services and subway/train transport. Establish more bike lanes. The only other vehicles allowed would be delivery and emergency vehicles. Design the roads to be on a grid so - one road is pedestrian only. Another road is bikes going on way. Another road would be buses. All roads would be accessible to emergency vehicles obviously. Limit delivery times to early morning hours. There are cities throughout Europe that have special delivery hours and afterwards the streets become pedestrian only.
NYC could do this, cut it's footprint; perhaps prevent future terrorist attacks via car bomb attempts at tourist attractions (Time Square)/businesses (WTC 90s.) Cut down on air and noise pollution, pedestrian deaths related to vehicles and become a role model for cities in the US; you know California will have to out do NYC on this some how just out of the pure competitive notion that no one in the US can be greener than them.
NYC could do this, cut it's footprint; perhaps prevent future terrorist attacks via car bomb attempts at tourist attractions (Time Square)/businesses (WTC 90s.) Cut down on air and noise pollution, pedestrian deaths related to vehicles and become a role model for cities in the US; you know California will have to out do NYC on this some how just out of the pure competitive notion that no one in the US can be greener than them.
Bloomberg told us that if you only converted streets that were supposed to be for cars into pedestrian malls, the traffic problem would disappear, because ..., well because he said so, and he's Bloomberg so he knows everything. He also told us giving a bike deal to a client of his ( Citibank ) would also solve the problem, citing the same rationale.
I'm really ( not at all ) surprised that that didn't actually happen.
I'm not sure what the solution really is, but I'm 100% sure closing down streets was not.
I'm really ( not at all ) surprised that that didn't actually happen.
I'm not sure what the solution really is, but I'm 100% sure closing down streets was not.
10
Why is the solution to always charge the working man more? Anti-toll hysteria is generated by knowing that the Port Authority is one of the most corrupt organizations in the world. Or from watching Chris Christie cancel what would have been a tremendously helpful new tunnel. Or seeing Cuomo disband a corruption investigation. How about watching foreign millionaires buy up apartments at luxury towers that received tax abatements? The city can collect all the tolls and extra fees from working people it wants, but we rarely see it going to improved public transportation. That's why we get a little crazy when you want to charge us even more.
33
Stuart
Why is the solution to always charge the working man more?
****
Simple. Government comes up with new ideas and then taxes people to pay for them. It will always find justification for its increased influence. (So many good ideas, so little time.) An overactive government will obviously start taxing a lot.
The middle class always pay those taxes, whether directly or indirectly.
Why is the solution to always charge the working man more?
****
Simple. Government comes up with new ideas and then taxes people to pay for them. It will always find justification for its increased influence. (So many good ideas, so little time.) An overactive government will obviously start taxing a lot.
The middle class always pay those taxes, whether directly or indirectly.
3
Subways are heavily subsidized to reduce the costs of getting to and from jobs. Subway fares cover only about 36% of operating costs, and capital budgets have to be funded by sale of tax exempt bonds.
http://www.cbcny.org/cbc-blogs/blogs/getting-facts-straight-metropolitan...
http://www.cbcny.org/cbc-blogs/blogs/getting-facts-straight-metropolitan...
1
I live part time outside the city and sometimes have to drive in. People who want to increase tolls, add parking or congestion taxes don't realize that when people drive into the city it's because they have no choice. The frequency and speed of commuter rail in & out of the city is deplorable, probably half that of comparable cities like London or Paris. What's needed is to resurrect the Hudson tunnels and, to improve & expand rails for more and high speed trains in all directions, to expand parking at suburban & exurban rail stations, etc.
6
why do you "have" to drive in?
1
The editorial is correct. But we can go further, and say, clearly, that Uber will REDUCE congestion.
Traditional taxis must drive around, taking up road space, to look for fares.
Uber drivers can stay off the road until summoned.
Both Uber and traditional taxis are more efficient in use of road space than infrequently used cars kept by private individuals to deal with the possibility or expense of hailing and paying for a taxi.
Regulating the number of taxis may not help reduce congestion, and limiting Uber will almost certainly worsen it.
Traditional taxis must drive around, taking up road space, to look for fares.
Uber drivers can stay off the road until summoned.
Both Uber and traditional taxis are more efficient in use of road space than infrequently used cars kept by private individuals to deal with the possibility or expense of hailing and paying for a taxi.
Regulating the number of taxis may not help reduce congestion, and limiting Uber will almost certainly worsen it.
UBER helps nothing.
Oh, it is convenient (and pricey)
Used it twice to get a friend in a wheelchair to the hospital.
Driver pays for insurance which means that in an accident, there is not a corporation to take the hit.
Do you want to sue someone for their house if there is a traffic incident? Uber puts all risk on its drivers. And no I have no connection to the taxi industry.
My conversations with drivers for uber, yellow cabs, green cabs, andyellow cab drivers who went to went to uber and went back indicate that riders are being privileged at drivers expense, but do not realize that they are overcharged and at risk.
Oh, it is convenient (and pricey)
Used it twice to get a friend in a wheelchair to the hospital.
Driver pays for insurance which means that in an accident, there is not a corporation to take the hit.
Do you want to sue someone for their house if there is a traffic incident? Uber puts all risk on its drivers. And no I have no connection to the taxi industry.
My conversations with drivers for uber, yellow cabs, green cabs, andyellow cab drivers who went to went to uber and went back indicate that riders are being privileged at drivers expense, but do not realize that they are overcharged and at risk.
Limit congestion by limiting all deliveries to from between midnight and 6am. Yes, businesses will need to have someone on hand but that is the cost of making the city a bit more liveable. Many cities have such regulations.
I am now living in Berlin and the street car system is fantastic. While I have not spent much in time is western Berlin, in the uber-wealthy areas, I have not seen any black sedans or chauffeurs---a common site in NYC. Public transport is a bit more egalitarian here, I suppose.
Ban cars entirely from the core of Manhattan, provide trams and green shuttles with limited for-hire vehicles. Just make sure they all do not change shifts at the same time to guarantee coverage, no surge pricing, every driver passes a TEOFL test and they abide by non-discrimination regs, which also includes allowing dogs in the cars.
I am now living in Berlin and the street car system is fantastic. While I have not spent much in time is western Berlin, in the uber-wealthy areas, I have not seen any black sedans or chauffeurs---a common site in NYC. Public transport is a bit more egalitarian here, I suppose.
Ban cars entirely from the core of Manhattan, provide trams and green shuttles with limited for-hire vehicles. Just make sure they all do not change shifts at the same time to guarantee coverage, no surge pricing, every driver passes a TEOFL test and they abide by non-discrimination regs, which also includes allowing dogs in the cars.
Micromanaging Uber and taxis is the wrong approach, congestion charging is the right approach. If there is pushback at the metropolitan area level, could congestion charging be mandated at the state or Federal level? For all areas with regular traffic jams.
Congestion charging gives people freedom to choose; to drive at normal speed, or get there some other way. In a traffic jam nobody is given a choice, people just sit there. How many people die in ambulances, delayed by traffic, every year? How many giga-dollars of time are wasted by regular folks?
Congestion charging gives people freedom to choose; to drive at normal speed, or get there some other way. In a traffic jam nobody is given a choice, people just sit there. How many people die in ambulances, delayed by traffic, every year? How many giga-dollars of time are wasted by regular folks?
This problem too will pass. Traffic congestion is partly due to driver behavior, which responds to anxiety, distraction and slow human reaction times. Once humans no longer control the vehicles they're riding in, congestion will greatly abate. Self-driving cars will save us.
Uber has absolutely seriously contributed to congestion, stop trying to claim otherwise. This reads like a Bloomberg manifesto. flood the city with Wall St backed gypsy cabs, stick in bike lanes, and use the congestion it creates as a reason to implement a fee for just driving, and eliminate free bridges.
5
We all know that the complaints about Uber increasing congestion are just a political fig leaf for the strong anti-entrepreneurial, anti-growth, and anti-change position of the Democratic establishment.
2
Uber-busses?
1
We don't need additional car services. If the outer-borughs need Uber-types apps, restrict to outer-borough use. We certainly don't need it in Manhattan. If the Uber app was required to follow same regs as taxis and limousines it would not be able to compete, so why should they receive that free-pass? The whole uber vs. taxis is a carnard. It's really uber vs 666.6666, but bottom line, we have plenty of established businesses in this area.
2
I live in Baltimore and getting a taxi is nigh next to impossible until uber came along. I live in a senior living home and stopped driving once I became a danger on the road so I'm dependent on public transit. I get a real kick when I request uberx and watch the driver come to me on my cell phone map and then, it's been a while now, have a very pleasant driver take me to my destination. Maybe I am being selfish but I personally view uber as god sent.
68
Baltimore does not have the taxi population that NYC does. It may be useful in other cities, it's a bane to ours.
1
Remove lane restrictions that were added by Sadiq-Khan and most of the congestion will be gone. No reason that First Avenue shouldn't have 5 driving lanes instead of the 2 or 3 effective lanes now in effect.
5
Why is restricted neighborhood parking not on the table? Manhattan residents living on the southern edge of West Harlem are frequently competing with out-of-towners or suburban commuters who park on street for free and take the subway to midtown. They avoid exorbitant parking fees but make parking scarce for locals. Resident parking stickers renewed annually would add revenue and contribute to growth in business districts. The tags should probably be valid in all city neighborhoods. Another issue, seeing cars with out of state plates parked on the street months even years at a time is not an uncommon site either. These measures are preferable to tolls on the East River crossings out to the boroughs. Imposing tariffs on the bridges will only make Manhattan seem more elitist and exclusive. It costs you dear to get in but free to get out--if using the GW Bridge model.
2
A sincere question: Does anyone actually think DeBlasio's plan has anything whatsoever to do with congestion, rather than helping the industry that happened to be his largest campaign contributors?
Bringing up congestion is a hail mary for the TLC. Why do we even need to give any attention to refute the connection between Uber and congestion? Uber provides amazing service- clean, quiet, safe rides. While the TLC does not. Uber cares about the safety of children and wheelchair riders while the TLC does not. Uber Family is an incredible service with drivers properly trained in installing carseats. Uber is also rolling out Uber Wheelchair, and by the looks of how they train their drivers on carseat installation, wheelchair riders can be looking forward to SAFE rides at last. I am the mother of a two year old and the wife of a wheelchair user. Everytime my husband rides in a wheelchair yellow taxi (if we can manage to get one through the archaic 411 service) he risks his life because the drivers do not know how to properly secure his chair. He teeters left and right. Let's not confuse the issue. The TLC needs to be done away with or it needs a complete overhaul so it at long last serves the SAFETY and needs of its riders. The idea that the City monitors the TLC and ensures it provides proper service is a JOKE. The TLC has carte blanche to completely ignore basic safety for children and wheelchair users. Why aren't we talking about this ?
7
No, it’s not Uber and its clones that are causing increasing congestion in Manhattan – the editors nail the real reason squarely: an improving economy. The last thing New Yorkers should want is to artificially constrain a growing economy that can only increase opportunities for prosperity.
What Manhattan has always lacked in this regard is creativity. All Mayor Bloomberg could come up with was higher and new tolls just to drive a car in midtown, his "congestion pricing" scheme.
In the interests of sparking a conversation, here are two ideas.
The first involves trucks, freight and deliveries. A BIG part of congestion consists of all these double-parked trucks and FedEx and UPS package cars. Manhattan needs an underground network of conveyors that moves freight and other materials around to convenient deposit and collection points for businesses and individuals. And imagine the stimulus involved to the city’s construction industries in building it.
Then, get private enterprise to build immense parking facilities OUTSIDE the city then rent tiny, battery-powered cars to motorists for use IN the city. Incentivize them by eliminating or drastically reducing tolls to get in from upstate, CT and NJ – those who do it regularly could even SAVE money, given the current levels of tolls. Dramatically reduce the average SIZE of cars in the city, you’ll reduce current congestion.
Millions of details to be worked out? Might not even be feasible? Sure. But you get the idea – be creative.
What Manhattan has always lacked in this regard is creativity. All Mayor Bloomberg could come up with was higher and new tolls just to drive a car in midtown, his "congestion pricing" scheme.
In the interests of sparking a conversation, here are two ideas.
The first involves trucks, freight and deliveries. A BIG part of congestion consists of all these double-parked trucks and FedEx and UPS package cars. Manhattan needs an underground network of conveyors that moves freight and other materials around to convenient deposit and collection points for businesses and individuals. And imagine the stimulus involved to the city’s construction industries in building it.
Then, get private enterprise to build immense parking facilities OUTSIDE the city then rent tiny, battery-powered cars to motorists for use IN the city. Incentivize them by eliminating or drastically reducing tolls to get in from upstate, CT and NJ – those who do it regularly could even SAVE money, given the current levels of tolls. Dramatically reduce the average SIZE of cars in the city, you’ll reduce current congestion.
Millions of details to be worked out? Might not even be feasible? Sure. But you get the idea – be creative.
2
If the city would re-open Park Drive north and south on week days, it would relieve the crush on the Avenues. As it stands now, in the park there is one lane for vehicles, one lane for pedicabs, one lane for carriages, and the rest for runners and bicycles, a death defying situation if ever there was one. We need Park Drive open so that traffic will move...Uber is not to blame, the city department of transportation can step right up and claim that award.
1
I agree with Sam Schwartz, especially on imposing tolls on the East River bridges. Would also suggest the following:
1. Congestion pricing in Manhattan, regardless of what Andrew Cuomo and his suburban car-loving friends think. If necessary, New York City should secede from New York State and become a new state . Time for NYC to take responsibility for its destiny.
2. Start enforcing existing laws designed to keep cars from driving in, or parking or standing in, bus lanes. Based on my own experience on buses, I believe this is a major factor in the slow movement of buses.
3. Require that taxis and other vehicles for hire pick up and drop off people only in designated places -- no more stopping in the middle of the street and blocking buses and other vehicles.
4. Build trams running down the middle of heavily congested streets -- like 42nd street in midtown.
5. Make all crosstown buses "select service" buses -- i.e., require all passengers to purchase tickets before boarding.
6. Make people who own and drive cars in New York City pay for the privilege. It is not fair to people who walk, ride bikes, take public transport and don't own cars to have these people from places like Douglaston driving to Manhattan on free bridges to go to the movies or buy some artisanal cheese. I don't know the best way to do this -- maybe an annual personal property tax of x dollars per vehicle registered. Alternatively, we could consider giving income tax credits to people who don't own cars.
1. Congestion pricing in Manhattan, regardless of what Andrew Cuomo and his suburban car-loving friends think. If necessary, New York City should secede from New York State and become a new state . Time for NYC to take responsibility for its destiny.
2. Start enforcing existing laws designed to keep cars from driving in, or parking or standing in, bus lanes. Based on my own experience on buses, I believe this is a major factor in the slow movement of buses.
3. Require that taxis and other vehicles for hire pick up and drop off people only in designated places -- no more stopping in the middle of the street and blocking buses and other vehicles.
4. Build trams running down the middle of heavily congested streets -- like 42nd street in midtown.
5. Make all crosstown buses "select service" buses -- i.e., require all passengers to purchase tickets before boarding.
6. Make people who own and drive cars in New York City pay for the privilege. It is not fair to people who walk, ride bikes, take public transport and don't own cars to have these people from places like Douglaston driving to Manhattan on free bridges to go to the movies or buy some artisanal cheese. I don't know the best way to do this -- maybe an annual personal property tax of x dollars per vehicle registered. Alternatively, we could consider giving income tax credits to people who don't own cars.
I don't understand what Uber drivers are doing between fares -- it's not really sharing a ride if the driver wasn't going to be going that way for some independent reason to begin with. If drivers are really sharing rides, I don't see how they make much money from taking on passengers, unless their primary, independent activity involves driving.
1
The subway congestion, filth, and unreliability in the past few years has become unbearable. I have not noticed an appreciable increase in automobile traffic during the same period, however. I think that Uber is one of the greatest quality of life improvements to arrive in NYC in recent years. Uber is right: the mayor's anti-congestion campaign is simply an attempt to appease one of the oddball groups that supported his candidacy. If the mayor were genuinely concerned about congestion, he would fix the subways first. There would be far less demand for all types of hire cars in the most congested areas of the city if the subways weren't such a disaster.
89
Controlling UBER is not the answer to congestion but that doesn't mean that the pirate corporation that UBER is shouldn't be controlled.
I'm not sure what city your referring to but the one I live in exhibits countless examples of traffic congestion that make Los Angeles, London or Singapore seem like a Sunday drive in the country. Try driving (or riding a bus) down 9th avenue from 59th street to 42nd street on a weekday between the hours of 5 and 7pm. Not only is it a parking lot, every 5 cars has an Uber sign in it and every 10 vehicles is a Megabus full of tourists - all on a skinny avenue with lanes that have been closed for months. The city's infrastructure is buckling under the weight of it all and Uber isn't helping. I think Bloomberg's plan of congestion pricing was actually a great idea - unfortunately the rest of New York State (i.e. Albany) who don't have to suffer the daily congestion thought otherwise.
1
Same old, same old. If it moves, tax it. Diminish congestion? Only the stupid would believe that government will solve all problems, including congestion. The only congestion here is the governments rush to get to your wallet. Always the government telling you about 'higher fees', code for taxes. Watch out, government will out do the airlines on the rush to fee you to death, and beyond. Remember you are not safe in the grave since they tax your death. Hey, the government is working on taxing the air you breath. Your surrender to all of this is certain, unless you flee to Iceland.
13
The only thing same-old, same-old is your rant that government can never help solve issues. Government policies are essentially the only way to deal properly with congestion, since roads and public transit are a public resource.
I would spend the time commenting on this stupidity but I won't because the comments I make never get past the NYTs approval process. I must be on a "do not print" list over there.
1
Congestion pricing for below 96th street during the week should suffice. I see no reason why people have to drive to downtown given all the transit available to get there from the 4 boroughs. Did studies not show it is mostly city employees who drive to work? Fine them congestion pricing.
Ban left turns.
Tolls are not fair for those of us who need to access uptown Manhattan during the weekend from Queens as there is no direct subway access to there.
Ban left turns.
Tolls are not fair for those of us who need to access uptown Manhattan during the weekend from Queens as there is no direct subway access to there.
13
Please, no more Uber in Manhattan! Traffic congestion and pollution are insufferable.
As for your proposal to allow Uber but bring down the numbers of taxis and Uber vehicles by way of a surcharge on both, let's remember that Uber isn't known for playing fair. A city surcharge becomes a neat means of increasing-- rather than decreasing -- their ridership when Uber finds a way to evade it while the more regulated taxis can't and so become comparatively more expensive.
How about raising revenue for public transportation with big added fees on the SUV limousines that are everywhere in the city, often idling and polluting while they wait on a single rider. And the proliferating tour-buses are another bane, riding in public bus lanes, etc. Let's dd a big surcharge to their licensing fee.
As for your proposal to allow Uber but bring down the numbers of taxis and Uber vehicles by way of a surcharge on both, let's remember that Uber isn't known for playing fair. A city surcharge becomes a neat means of increasing-- rather than decreasing -- their ridership when Uber finds a way to evade it while the more regulated taxis can't and so become comparatively more expensive.
How about raising revenue for public transportation with big added fees on the SUV limousines that are everywhere in the city, often idling and polluting while they wait on a single rider. And the proliferating tour-buses are another bane, riding in public bus lanes, etc. Let's dd a big surcharge to their licensing fee.
88
Let's do a big surcharge on bloviating board commenters who are creating excess C02 therefore contributing to global warming.
Do you really think that the taxi companies play fair? Come on.
1
Anyone who drives in Manhattan realizes that the cause of the vast majority of traffic in Manhattan is...DOUBLE PARKED TRUCKS. Drive down any of the major avenues and every time there is a slowdown or bottleneck the cause is almost without fail a double parked truck. They park in the driving lanes, sometimes on both sides, and narrow the avenues down to two or even one lane. The infuriating thing is that they seem to prefer to block a driving lane even if there is an empty parking space by the curb. I never see them get tickets. is there some sort of unspoken rule that traffic agents don't ticket double parked trucks loading and unloading?
Hey mayor DeBlasio - if you wanna improve traffic in Manhattan, all you have to do is stop trucks from double parking in driving lanes. Make them find real parking spaces or park on side streets. Sure, that will make their loading and unloading more difficult - but they have no right to create traffic jams and inconvenience others just for their own convenience. Another option is to create certain hours of the day - maybe 6-8 am where parking on avenues is reserved for trucks loading and unloading.
Hey mayor DeBlasio - if you wanna improve traffic in Manhattan, all you have to do is stop trucks from double parking in driving lanes. Make them find real parking spaces or park on side streets. Sure, that will make their loading and unloading more difficult - but they have no right to create traffic jams and inconvenience others just for their own convenience. Another option is to create certain hours of the day - maybe 6-8 am where parking on avenues is reserved for trucks loading and unloading.
64
Don't forget all of the double parked city vehicles and city WORKER vehicles. Go by any police or fire station and look at all of the personal cars (with cute stickers) double parked or in otherwise prohibited spaces. Absurd and another example of the entitlement mentality.
1
Despite our famed grid, Manhattan is simply poorly designed. Ban double parked trucks? Great. Now where will deliveries go? Chicago doesn't have this because of intelligent engineering with alleys.
Simply put: we're stuck.
Simply put: we're stuck.
There's traffic because it's busy in The City. If we retard the City's economy there will be less traffic. Like that idea?
We should be encouraging services like Uber and Lyft as viable alternatives to yellow cabs which are limited to 13,000 cabs, about the same number as in 1937. The medallion cab industry is against it, of course, not because it will cause the volume of their business to decline, that will stay about the same, but because the competition, other forms of cab companies, is causing the value of their medallions to plummet.
Most taxicab medallions are financed. Typically medallion mortgages are computed at 15 year rates but, in fact, require balloon payments after 5 years. Equitys build very slowly. Lenders will lend about 80-85% of the value of the medallion. People always thought that the value of the medallions, which were first issued in 1937 for $10 apiece, could only go up. Some have gone for over a million. If, on the other hand, the value of the medallions declines, when it comes time to refinance the 15-year loans after 5 years there isn't equity to borrow against which could lead to medallion foreclosures at the option of the lenders when the 5-year balloon payments come due.
THAT'S the issue.
We should be encouraging services like Uber and Lyft as viable alternatives to yellow cabs which are limited to 13,000 cabs, about the same number as in 1937. The medallion cab industry is against it, of course, not because it will cause the volume of their business to decline, that will stay about the same, but because the competition, other forms of cab companies, is causing the value of their medallions to plummet.
Most taxicab medallions are financed. Typically medallion mortgages are computed at 15 year rates but, in fact, require balloon payments after 5 years. Equitys build very slowly. Lenders will lend about 80-85% of the value of the medallion. People always thought that the value of the medallions, which were first issued in 1937 for $10 apiece, could only go up. Some have gone for over a million. If, on the other hand, the value of the medallions declines, when it comes time to refinance the 15-year loans after 5 years there isn't equity to borrow against which could lead to medallion foreclosures at the option of the lenders when the 5-year balloon payments come due.
THAT'S the issue.
12
Why not just end the medallion system (a supply ceiling) and let people apply for a cab license on an as-needed basis, while still imposing whatever regulations are needed? Then crack down on unlicensed jitneys like Uber and Lyft. Then you wouldn't have a supply shortage of cabs and you would have effective competition among companies, but you could also stop this unfair two-tiered system where some driver services are regulated and licensed and others are not.
7
Bloombergs idea is best, a congestion fee. If a vehicle is going to travel in certain parts of the city, those that are particularly contested, then they must purchase a colored tag, for the year, and display it, like a beach parking sticker. Simple, and that includes out of state vehicles and trucks and service vehicles. New Yorkers must still be breathing some of the worst air possible and getting worse. As for the subways, keep on spending to improve them and install a light rail the length of fifth ave and the west side highway. Also add a surtax on all vehicles entering the city, on top of the tolls, Improve the lirr and build light rail lines on heavily traveled vehicle routes. Where is a Robert Moses when you need one?
30
Ironically, Robert Moses, who didn't drive, was a huge proponent of the automobile and is responsible for most of the highways and expressways around NYC
Robert Moses gutted NYC to make it car-friendly, which encouraged people to drive and paradoxically made congestion worse. He never would have prioritized public transportation over cars.
Umm, Robert Moses did his best to destroy mass transit in favor of more car ownership. He's not the symbol you are looking for.
Someone or is it all of The Editorial Board have completely missed the boat, or have they lost their minds? I'll leave it to others to flesh out why encouraging more drivers to hit the streets is a bad idea. Dear NYTs Ed Board, can you say public transportation? Can you say infrastructure? Can you take the long view? Not really very long, clue, get rid of the cars. And remember that tunnel some idiot canceled?
You'd think the great New York City could step up to the plate and offer real solutions. But you can forgetaboutit. ON top of it all Uber is a ridicules scam that ultimately serves no one but a few people at the top. Just another version, of several classic ripoffs all rolled into one. Basically; Uber pays for nothing but gets most of the money. Another money for nothing deal. No wonder Wall Street likes it.
Like the rest of the country (seems like the whole planet) it only takes twenty or thirty years to get the cities attention.
You'd think the great New York City could step up to the plate and offer real solutions. But you can forgetaboutit. ON top of it all Uber is a ridicules scam that ultimately serves no one but a few people at the top. Just another version, of several classic ripoffs all rolled into one. Basically; Uber pays for nothing but gets most of the money. Another money for nothing deal. No wonder Wall Street likes it.
Like the rest of the country (seems like the whole planet) it only takes twenty or thirty years to get the cities attention.
4
The so-called sharing economy is a fraud on a scale only humans and maybe inert plutonic solar systems are capable of.
All of these services are simply the same old dot.com busted bubbles, but with more tensile strength -- due to their abject disregard for us humans.
Uber has even made it official -- that the driverless car is their go-forward business model.
If you live in the midst if all this chicanery (as I do, in San Francisco) its mostly an homage to Sergio Leone and all spaghetti westerns: 'everyone gets it in the end.'
Pun intended.
All of these services are simply the same old dot.com busted bubbles, but with more tensile strength -- due to their abject disregard for us humans.
Uber has even made it official -- that the driverless car is their go-forward business model.
If you live in the midst if all this chicanery (as I do, in San Francisco) its mostly an homage to Sergio Leone and all spaghetti westerns: 'everyone gets it in the end.'
Pun intended.
18
Keep your hands off my Uber!
12
Wow even the ny times sees through the mayors bogus attempt to stop Uber. Now how about reporting on how many contributions the yellow taxi mafia has paid to the city council mafia to buy their votes?
16
Oh please. The UBER limitation is a ploy by the taxi lobby. Nothing more.
UBER reduces the number of cars on the street - it takes people out of their own cars and put them in shared vehicles. It discourages personal driving.
New York cabs are famous for filth, bad service, rude drivers, unsafe driving. They charge too much and they treat customers like dirt.
Take half the cabs off the street.
This is another idea from Bad Idea Bill.
UBER reduces the number of cars on the street - it takes people out of their own cars and put them in shared vehicles. It discourages personal driving.
New York cabs are famous for filth, bad service, rude drivers, unsafe driving. They charge too much and they treat customers like dirt.
Take half the cabs off the street.
This is another idea from Bad Idea Bill.
35
average walking speed has also decreased with an attendant increase in complaints of pedestrians stepping on each others' heels. But as long as the glass condos keep rising funded by anonymous LLC purchasers who don't live here, all is well. Let's add some more bike lanes while we're at it.
1
Leave Uber alone.
I wish our governments served the public as well.
I wish our governments served the public as well.
30
One simple idea that multiple other cities -- Boston, Philadelphia, DC, Chicago, even car-heavy Atlanta -- have in their transit arsenals: ALL airports, most of all LGA, need to be easily accessible by a rail link. At the moment, getting to Newark by NJ Transit is tolerable, getting to JFK by the AirTrain link or subway feels interminable, and getting to LGA is expensive and stressful without any kind of train option. The fact that there is no public transit to LGA from Manhattan aside from a bus on 125th St is a complete joke. If there were a reliable way to get to LGA by rail from Penn Station or Grand Central within 30 minutes, it would eradicate the need for a lot of taxis/car services and the associated congestion. A good train link would also offer some peace of mind as far as not having to factor in possible traffic when getting to the airport!
Of course, taxi drivers would hate that since it cuts into their business. But one can dream that maybe eventually the city will do the right thing....
Of course, taxi drivers would hate that since it cuts into their business. But one can dream that maybe eventually the city will do the right thing....
133
Comfy quick trip to mid-town Manhattan: Take the AirLink from your terminal at JFK to Jamaica Station. You can then get a comfy seat on the Long Island Railroad for the 20 minute trip to Penn Station. If you are senior, Medicare person, or disabled, you can get up to 50 percent off the fare. Trains stream into Jamaica Station constantly cutting waiting time. You can ask the very pleasant ticket agent, which track to go to. In my case, since I look about my age (67) no ID has to be shown and the discounted ticket is quickly handed over.
You nailed it, NJ. I visited Manhattan for the first time last year by flying into LGA. London's Heathrow is the benchmark. Fly into the airport, grab your luggage, take the Elevator to the Heathrow Express, taking the fast train to Paddington Station, where you can grab an underground line to ANYWHERE. Short walks that are all indoors, with clean, fast, and predictable service. (OK, London's underground could use some cleaning).
Returning from Manhatten to LGA, I was impressed with the NYC subway, but astonished I had to sit in the cold, wet drizzle in East Harlem waiting for the 125th street bus for 30 minutes. If I flew into Manhattan again, I would definitely consider a taxi.
Returning from Manhatten to LGA, I was impressed with the NYC subway, but astonished I had to sit in the cold, wet drizzle in East Harlem waiting for the 125th street bus for 30 minutes. If I flew into Manhattan again, I would definitely consider a taxi.
1
I agree, but the reality is that building a rail link to LGA is economically unfeasible and logistically near-impossible. The solution they came up with to get to JFK is barely tolerable and that took years to build!
What is needed in the city are express lanes for driving. i.e. a lane where you cannot exit for 20-30 blocks and which don't have lights. These could be created on the west side highway, for example
The other thing that should be tried is congestion pricing for non-residents. Many workers in my UWS neighborhood - doormen, supermarket employees, medical workers, druggists, etc.- drive in to work, because they can park for free taking advantage of alt. side parking rules (they spend at least 40 minutes of their work day outside parking). The answer to that is to either create residential sticker parking only, or initiate congestion pricing. If you charge these non-residents $20 a day to drive in/out during rush hours, they will think twice about doing it, or carpool. That will reduce the # of cars entering Manhattan. However, for those of us who live here and need a car for our work, don't penalize us!
What is needed in the city are express lanes for driving. i.e. a lane where you cannot exit for 20-30 blocks and which don't have lights. These could be created on the west side highway, for example
The other thing that should be tried is congestion pricing for non-residents. Many workers in my UWS neighborhood - doormen, supermarket employees, medical workers, druggists, etc.- drive in to work, because they can park for free taking advantage of alt. side parking rules (they spend at least 40 minutes of their work day outside parking). The answer to that is to either create residential sticker parking only, or initiate congestion pricing. If you charge these non-residents $20 a day to drive in/out during rush hours, they will think twice about doing it, or carpool. That will reduce the # of cars entering Manhattan. However, for those of us who live here and need a car for our work, don't penalize us!
Other than attending a Broadway play six times per year, I avoid Manhattan due to the painfully congested streets. Uber cars, bike lanes, school buses and pedestrians who walk at a snail's pace while texting make it too difficult to navigate for an evening out to dinner, an art gallery or a museum visit. Manhattan is a borough that is not friendly for motorists and I will stay away.
11
As this comment indicates, NYC businesses lose potential profits when the City’s transportation system performs poorly. Put another way, businesses in the City would benefit from transportation system improvements that many people feel are needed. This raises questions about the metropolitan commuter transportation mobility tax. Since all MCTM tax revenue currently goes to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), should employers engaged in business in the five boroughs of New York City pay a higher MCTM tax rate than what is charged businesses in suburban counties (Long Island, Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Rockland, and Orange)? Also, recognizing that suburban counties have transportation problems of their own, should those counties be allowed to use a portion of the MCTM tax receipts they generate to improve their local, non-MTA transportation systems?
2
Why not take public transit?
1
Perhaps if Governor Christie hadn't killed the ARC tunnel, you could take a train from Hackensack, which means you could also enjoy a few drinks.
1
If we were serious about reducing congestion in Manhattan we would prohibit all stretch limos from the streets. Anyone who has watched while two lanes of crosstown traffic are blocked as a humongous stretch limo swings wide in an attempt to turn uptown or downtown will understand the point. Double parking by stretch limos further exasperates the problem. This won't solve our traffic woes, but it would help.
7
There's little point in making these fine arguments about congestion. Congestion is just a rather transparent excuse for what de Blasio is doing, which is providing a quid pro quo to a protectionist labor union that helped get him elected.
Charlatan politicians often make use of such euphemisms:
Voter id laws prevent fraud; they don't stop minorities from voting.
Arduous requirements for abortion clinics protect women's health; they don't make abortions more difficult.
And now, crippling Uber makes traffic run smoothly; it doesn't prop up a bunch of union fat cats presiding over fleets of obsolete dirty cabs with surly drivers.
Charlatan politicians often make use of such euphemisms:
Voter id laws prevent fraud; they don't stop minorities from voting.
Arduous requirements for abortion clinics protect women's health; they don't make abortions more difficult.
And now, crippling Uber makes traffic run smoothly; it doesn't prop up a bunch of union fat cats presiding over fleets of obsolete dirty cabs with surly drivers.
3
Why would being a minority in any way prevent you from having an ID?
There are only two path to ending nation-wide congestion.
1. Implementing federal laws that aggressively reduce the size of the human population in the U.S.A.. This option requires a complete cessation to all immigration, legal and illegal, military bases and aggressive surveillance of our border with Mexico, and a complete re-writing of the tax code to aggressively favor marriages that do not produce more humans, and a very aggression effort to establish human population <=> resource balance.
2. Do nothing and allow non-human phenomenon to cull the size of the human population of the nation. The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse is a good road map to the future -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Horsemen_of_the_Apocalypse - followed by the simple reality of a population bottleneck - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Population_bottleneck.
As a citizen I prefer 1. As an astute scientist I believe that 2. will be the future in plain sight.
1. Implementing federal laws that aggressively reduce the size of the human population in the U.S.A.. This option requires a complete cessation to all immigration, legal and illegal, military bases and aggressive surveillance of our border with Mexico, and a complete re-writing of the tax code to aggressively favor marriages that do not produce more humans, and a very aggression effort to establish human population <=> resource balance.
2. Do nothing and allow non-human phenomenon to cull the size of the human population of the nation. The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse is a good road map to the future -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Horsemen_of_the_Apocalypse - followed by the simple reality of a population bottleneck - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Population_bottleneck.
As a citizen I prefer 1. As an astute scientist I believe that 2. will be the future in plain sight.
2
Shorten life spans. Stop preventing measles, mumps, chicken pox,
pertussis, influenza, malaria, and tuberculosis.
pertussis, influenza, malaria, and tuberculosis.
If the city would take out all the chairs, tables and other "furniture" and restore traffic lanes to pre-1975 lanes the problem would go away. NYC is a city of commerce along with urban living and the few streets we have should be re-opened. The bike lanes are under used to keep them in place.
10
Has the study finding slower speeds in the business zone taken in account the reduction in speed limit from 30 to 25? I'm not a statistician but lowering the top end should reduce the average.
22
How about getting rid of the citbikes and HORRIBLE bike lanes that are used by a minority of lawless bikers, eating up lanes all over the city and prevent buses and cabs from getting where they are going?
28
Taxi drivers in New York are exploited by those who own the medallions. In their turn, the taxi industry including drivers, tries to exploit residents of NYC by preventing them from having a convenient service like Uber.
7
In the long run, there's no need to regulate Uber. Customers who find out the hard way that even 'five for five' doesn't protect you from being low-rated - and thus deemed persona non grata - for failure to be smiley-smile Barbies and Kens will do the job.
4
I will only use Uber when they treat their drivers as employees, require that they have commercial licenses, insure them at all times, and stop hiring political hacks to advance the company's interests. If congestion rules can be used to stop Uber that's fine by me.
105
I've only used Uber and Lyft a few times (four to be exact), so this is anecdotal, but each car was late model and safe, each driver was alert, drove safely and also was courteous and warm. I've used NYC Yellow Cabs and car services untold times in the 37 years I've live here and I can report the vehicles are usually beat-up and cramped, the drivers almost universally rude and dangerous in their driving.
2
In NYC, UBER drivers are all licensed by the TLC, which means they are also properly insured. So your criticism doesn't really hold. As for the employees part - I'm all for worker's rights. But if you make them employees, then they lose the flexibility that most drivers cherish.
+1
The biggest problem is private cars. Bloomberg's congestion pricing could work, although it was nixed by Albany politicians. Certainly tolls on all bridges would help, as well. And I wouldn't lower vehicular Hudson River crossings at all. Use the money to pay for transit and improving bicycling and pedestrian facilities and elevators at subway stations.
Also, it's not fair to have a private car or taxi compete equally with a bus carrying 100 passengers. There should be exclusive bus lanes throughout Manhattan and northern Brooklyn, with high fines and real enforcement to keep private cars out of these lanes. Double parked and illegally parked cars and delivery vans should also face fines high enough with ample enforcement to discourage those practices. Fines would pay for the enforcement and provide additional funds for more buses.
Transit does and should accommodate people with disabilities (PWD). At the same time, this helps slow buses to the extent that one can often travel much faster by walking. I don't have a good solution. Perhaps, we need a new and innovative technology or separate vehicles. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that most subway stations do not have elevators forcing PWD to use buses.
Also, it's not fair to have a private car or taxi compete equally with a bus carrying 100 passengers. There should be exclusive bus lanes throughout Manhattan and northern Brooklyn, with high fines and real enforcement to keep private cars out of these lanes. Double parked and illegally parked cars and delivery vans should also face fines high enough with ample enforcement to discourage those practices. Fines would pay for the enforcement and provide additional funds for more buses.
Transit does and should accommodate people with disabilities (PWD). At the same time, this helps slow buses to the extent that one can often travel much faster by walking. I don't have a good solution. Perhaps, we need a new and innovative technology or separate vehicles. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that most subway stations do not have elevators forcing PWD to use buses.
46
Congestion pricing in London has not worked, if fewer vehicles and better traffic flow are your goals. Traffic in London is worse than ever, just another tax in sheeps clothing.
1
More, faster, easier access, less expensive public transportation is an excellent idea to alleviate the congestion problem. We may look to European cities for suggestions about how to build public transport, but let's stay away from General Motors and Ford.
We need separate vehicles for the disabled. The wheelchair lifts on buses have been a disaster. The caveat being that those vehicles for the disabled *must* at least match the performance and utility of the bus network. This was not the case originally.
The cost of adding access to the entire subway system would be insane and would far better be spent on separate vehicles for the handicapped, again, only if it provides comparable service (who wouldn't rather take a cab than a subway, given the choice?), and on providing escalators for elderly people who are currently unable to use the subway system (not to mention insuring that existing escalators actually work).
The cost of adding access to the entire subway system would be insane and would far better be spent on separate vehicles for the handicapped, again, only if it provides comparable service (who wouldn't rather take a cab than a subway, given the choice?), and on providing escalators for elderly people who are currently unable to use the subway system (not to mention insuring that existing escalators actually work).
There were good reasons, in addition to simple corruption, to limit the numbers of taxis.
Uber and the others are really just taxis. They are a difference in form, not substance.
So, should there be more taxis, or not? That is the question, not whether Uber format gets some special privilege.
Uber and the others are really just taxis. They are a difference in form, not substance.
So, should there be more taxis, or not? That is the question, not whether Uber format gets some special privilege.
10
More frequent, expanded subway and bus service would help. I'm against tolling the East River bridges - there are so many modestly off people who must use them it'd be a very unfair and regressive tax. A project to install at least one escalator or elevator at every subway stop is also a no-brainer as our population ages - and without them the train to the plane is something of a joke to many people who have to battle stairs and turnstiles.
17
Sure, until you ask for a tax increase or a fare hike. Let's see how your suggestion works out once people have to pay for it.
I actually think that you are right, but the problem is that more subway service is a stealth regressive tax, because it is paid for with fare hikes.
The problem is that subway service ought to come out of tax dollars, not fare increases. People who claim that they shouldn't pay for the subway because they don't use the subway are completely and willfully ignorant of the benefits that accrue to them by its existence, whether they take it or not.
I actually think that you are right, but the problem is that more subway service is a stealth regressive tax, because it is paid for with fare hikes.
The problem is that subway service ought to come out of tax dollars, not fare increases. People who claim that they shouldn't pay for the subway because they don't use the subway are completely and willfully ignorant of the benefits that accrue to them by its existence, whether they take it or not.
3
1. Free tolls on bridges for cars with three or more occupants.
2. Bridge tolls not free otherwise.
3. Impose a surcharge on rates at parking facilities.
4. Use bridge tolls and parking surcharge collected to incentivize employers to implement telecommuting.
5. More buses, shorter routes, to service high congestion areas.
6. Reduce on-street parking to discourage bringing cars to or owning cars in the city and potentially to open more traffic lanes.
7. Encourage car sharing coops with free parking stalls and other incentives, similar to Bloomberg's bike sharing service, to enable city dwellers to drive when necessary but not own or house cars.
2. Bridge tolls not free otherwise.
3. Impose a surcharge on rates at parking facilities.
4. Use bridge tolls and parking surcharge collected to incentivize employers to implement telecommuting.
5. More buses, shorter routes, to service high congestion areas.
6. Reduce on-street parking to discourage bringing cars to or owning cars in the city and potentially to open more traffic lanes.
7. Encourage car sharing coops with free parking stalls and other incentives, similar to Bloomberg's bike sharing service, to enable city dwellers to drive when necessary but not own or house cars.
20
Way to not think things through.
2
1. Implement congestion pricing immediately on ALL vehicles entering Manhattan's inner zone.
2. Require ALL car services in Manhattan to meet same safety & ADA regs.
3. Implement a surcharge on all fossil-fuel FHV rides.
4. Implement a rebate on all electric FHV rides.
5. Use income to a) maintain roads and bridges; b) fund mass transit expansion.
2. Require ALL car services in Manhattan to meet same safety & ADA regs.
3. Implement a surcharge on all fossil-fuel FHV rides.
4. Implement a rebate on all electric FHV rides.
5. Use income to a) maintain roads and bridges; b) fund mass transit expansion.
47