Mobilizing the Region, No. 106
Tri-State Transportation Campaign
From: "Jon Orcutt" <ts...@igc.apc.org>
MOBILIZING THE REGION
A Weekly Bulletin from the Tri-State Transportation Campaign
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Electronic Edition Number 106 November 22, 1996
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HEADLINES
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Activists Tell NJ Transit:
Clean Up Your Act
MTA To Launch Pricing Study
Midtown Direct Stops [Infrequently] at Orange
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*News*
CLINTON AND ISTEA
Reports from Washington say the Clinton Administration's ISTEA-2 bill
presently in the works largely preserves the program structure of the
groundbreaking 1991 Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act.
The bill could be unveiled in late January. But the funding levels it
will propose and how it will address the apportionment of money among
the states are unclear.
Road lobby and other conservative forces want to change ISTEA's complex
apportionment formulas, which take into account infrastructure conditions
and other criteria of need, to a simple payback of gas taxes collected
from each state's motorists. The STEP-21 coalition's proposal would
guarantee each state a return of 95% of federal gas taxes it collects.
ISTEA-2 is thus shaping up as an important test for the advocates and
opponents of devolution of power to the states.
From a transportation policy perspective, the STEP-21 and other radical
devolution proposals are egregiously regressive, because they penalize
the most fuel-efficient states. New York and its big downstate transit
system top the list in that regard. Success for STEP 21 next year would
mean a large transfer of funds from the northeast to California, Texas
and Florida. The NY State Dept. of Transportation estimates it would have
to increase state gas taxes by 28-cents / gallon to make up revenue it
would lose if federal transportation funding was based only on a state's
gas tax receipts.
STEP-21 and similar proposals' greatest weakness -- but what also makes
them potentially revolutionary -- is that no other federal program works
the way they envision the federal transportation program. Senator
Moynihan's annual report on the flow of funds between NY State and the
federal government notes that New York ended fiscal year 1995 with a
balance of payments deficit of $17.7 billion -- the 2nd highest in the
nation. Taking all federal programs into account, NY, NJ and CT are the
largest "donor" states in the country. Perhaps what is needed to bring
the big issues to light is a counter-attack by Tri-State area
representatives on other federal programs -- say, agriculture.
"Transportation [is the one federal category] in which New York
does very well, indeed," says Moynihan. "This is up for renewal (ISTEA)
in the coming year. It will be the fight of our lives." Earlier this
month, the U.S. public repudiated attacks on the large federal programs
it cares about. Will the president take heed and take the right side
on transportation funding?
***
ACTIVISTS TELL NJ TRANSIT: CLEAN UP YOUR ACT
At a busy Fort Lee bus stop, New Jersey environmentalists and health
advocates joined Thursday to launch a statewide "Dump Diesel" campaign.
The groups have undertaken the effort to reduce the health threat posed
by particulate pollution from buses and trucks.
"NJ Transit's diesel bus fleet is a major contributor to New Jersey's
air pollution," said Benita Jain, NJPIRG Citizen Lobby Dump Diesel
Coordinator. "These buses drive many NJ citizens straight to the hospital."
Diesel buses and trucks emit nearly 90% of particulates from vehicles
in New Jersey. In some areas, they emit 50% of all particulates.
Particulates (soot) aggravate asthma, bronchitis and emphysema, and
generally reduce effective lung function.
"I don't need to see the pollution index on TV or in a newspaper -- I see
it when my child is struggling to breathe outside and is forced to spend
the day indoors," said Sandra Walker, Outreach Coordinator for the Allergy
and Asthma Network.
The Dump Diesel campaign calls for:
-- NJ Transit to commit to buying only buses that run on cleaner,
alternative fuel;
-- The State Legislature to restrict NJ Transit from purchasing diesel
fueled vehicles;
-- Implementation of a strong periodic and roadside emission program for
trucks.
Dump Diesel campaign supporters include: Allergy and Asthma Network/
Mothers of Asthmatics, American Lung Association-NJ, Civic League of
New Brunswick, Greater Newark Conservancy, Ironbound Committee Against
Toxic Waste, NJ Council of Black Ministers, NJ Environmental Lobby,
Physicians for Social Responsibility, Sierra Club-NJ, the Tri-State
Transportation Campaign, the United Senior Alliance and other groups.
Premature NJ Deaths Due to Particulate Pollution
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Rutgers Environmental Law Clinic estimates based
on available monitoring data:
Newark area 252
Jersey City area 155
Paterson area 133
New Brunswick area 81
Camden area 48
Trenton area 45
Atlantic City area 35
Fort Lee area 22
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***
MTA TO LAUNCH PRICING STUDY
The MTA announced earlier this month it would study the possibility of
implementing congestion/off-peak pricing at its bridges and tunnels to
reduce peak-period congestion. Expanding on an idea introduced to its
board by Deputy Mayor Rudy Washington last April, the agency will hire a
consultant to survey users' response to "incentive tolling" and to examine
the potential impacts of varying tolls on traffic, MTA revenue, the
environment and the region's transportation system.
Washington, an MTA board member and chief of NYC Business Services, first
floated a plan last April to cut commercial vehicle tolls 50% between 8 PM
and 6 AM. The off-peak discount would shift 10% of city truck traffic
to overnight use, reducing daytime congestion on city streets and enhancing
NYC's business climate by reducing delivery costs, argued Washington.
Despite initial resistance to the idea from some MTA board members,
Washington persisted, and the agency agreed roughly four weeks ago to
study pricing in connection with both passenger and commercial vehicles
at its tolls. Close observers say the advent of E-ZPass makes variable
tolling very doable and helped persuade the MTA to study the idea.
"Expressions of Interest" were due today, and a consultant may be selected
next month. Though the precise scope of the study is yet undetermined,
the Deputy Mayor and the MTA have cautioned they "are not looking to raise
tolls."
MTA sources say the original intent was to have the Port Authority, which
operates the George Washington, Goethals and Bayonne Bridges, Outerbridge
Crossing, and the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels, collaborate on the study.
But Port Authority spokesperson Lou Venech said the agency "has no role
in the study at this point." "No one has asked us to participate," Venech
told the Campaign. Regarding MTA and Port Authority coordination of
potential tolling initiatives, he noted the two agencies "have different
toll structures now," and refuted the idea "that one agency couldn't do
something separate from another." Washington's office said Port Authority
commissioners were approached, but that "things have not filtered down to
staff." Venech called the MTA study "worth watching."
***
A CURE FOR GRIDLOCK
An op-ed article in the Daily News last week invoked the legacy of Nobel
economist William Vickrey to tell city officials that only congestion
pricing can solve "traffic hell" around the Queensboro Bridge and other
gridlocked roads and bridges.
"Prof. Vickrey must be spinning in his grave," wrote economist Charles
Komanoff, remarking on Vickrey's death from heart failure three days after
winning the Nobel Prize. Komanoff, a Tri-State Transportation Campaign
trustee, credited Vickrey with identifying the "paradox of car use in the
city" that makes road pricing a necessity.
The paradox is that "car use benefits the driver but costs everyone else
-- including other drivers." A motorist entering a crowded bridge like the
Queensboro causes delays not only to himself but to a thousand motorists
behind him; yet he pays only for his own lost time, leading him to drive
even when the total delay-cost to society of his trip outweighs the gain
to him.
Vickrey outlined the solution back in the '50s: toll congested bridges
and roads, with the tolls varied according to traffic levels. "If the peak
tolls are set sufficiently high, enough motorists will choose different
times, different routes and different modes -- such as car-pooling or mass
transit -- to shrink congestion."
Now that electronic tolling has eliminated one obstacle to bridge tolls
-- the specter of sprawling toll plazas generating new traffic jams -- it's
time to conquer the second, Komanoff wrote: a notional right to free
travel between Manhattan and the rest of the city. "Leaving aside the
glaring disconnect between free driving for motorists and the cost of
transit for straphangers, the principle of free bridges must ring hollow
to drivers stuck in traffic each morning and evening," Komanoff said.
"Only road pricing can solve the problem of too many motorists wishing
to drive in the same finite space at the same time." Komanoff urged New
York City "to honor Vickrey's memory and help itself immeasurably by
putting the professor's legacy to work on its roads and bridges." ("The
Man Who Had a Cure for Gridlock," Daily News, Nov. 20, 1996 -- for full
article, fax name and fax # to 212-935-2151 or send SASE to:
KEA, 270 Lafayette St., NYC 10012).
***
HOWLAND HOOK TRAINS ARE LATE
Though the first ship arrived at the recently re-opened Howland Hook
Marine Terminal two months ago and business at the port is already picking
up, the refurbishment of the rail lines serving the facility has yet to
begin. The NYC Economic Development Corporation, responsible for
rehabilitating the Staten Island portion of the line, has yet to hire a
contractor for either the repair of the North Shore rail road trackage or
the lift bridge that carries the line across the Arthur Kill and into
New Jersey. While the end of 1996 is the target for hiring the Arthur
Kill contractor, there is no plan to employ a contractor for the project's
rail portion until contracting has been done for the bridge.
The timeline for work on the New Jersey side is similar. Union County
expects to begin the actual rehabilitation of their side of the terminal
in the spring or summer of 1997, with completion targeted for the fall.
Meanwhile, the lack of rail service to Howland Hook could harm the
terminal's success. Carmine Ragucci, President of the terminal, notes,
"It is critical that we have comprehensive rail in order for Howland Hook
to be a high-tech intermodal facility. It has always been the
understanding in the reopening that the Port Authority would provide us
with first class rail operation. We have been assured that by the EDC."
In a recent SI Advance article, Ragucci hinted that he expects big
expansions at the terminal to come next summer, in tandem with rail
service. This indicates that the timetables of the EDC and Union County
may spell further problems for the facility which has already gotten off
to a slow start.
If rail access is long in coming, the terminal's customer base will be
largely highway dependent. "Every effort should be made to establish a
pattern of rail usage from the outset of operations at Howland Hook,"
said Therese Langer of Rutgers Environmental Law Clinic. "Staten Island's
North Shore may welcome more commercial activity, but the Island already
bears more than its share of truck traffic."
***
TRANSIT AUTHORITY LIGHTENS UP
Long known for its resistance to fare and transfer initiatives used
successfully by transit agencies in cities like Boston, L.A. and
Washington, D.C., the Transit Authority showed signs this week of a new,
more user-friendly face. TA officials announced Monday they would extend
token sales until the end of 1998, scuttling plans to phase out NYC's
traditional underground tender this July, by which time all 468 subway
stations will accept the MetroCard. The agency also promised to expand
its free-transfer program--set too for July--to include transfers between
any subway line and bus route, regardless of direction, for a two-hour
time slot.
The news marks a significant change in policy for the TA, which had
sought to minimize revenue loss from free MetroCard transfers by limiting
the offer to switches between certain routes in certain directions.
Afraid of the technically overwhelming task of programming MetroCards and
turnstiles to register the limits, the agency retreated from the scheme,
reported the NY Times. Agency observers speculate fear of administering
the resultant onslaught of MetroCard purchases motivated TA officials to
delay the phase-out as well.
Harnessing the momentum of the TA initiatives, Staten Island Council
member Jerome O'Donovan last week submitted a bill calling for free
passage on the S.I. ferry for riders transferring from a bus or the S.I.
Railway. The plan would piggyback with the MTA's free transfer offer
which allows those same passengers to hop a bus or subway gratis once in
Manhattan, effectively enabling commuters to reach work on one fare.
While many Council members support the O'Donovan proposal, the NYC Dept.
of Transportation, which operates the ferry, must sign on. Daily News,
Advance
***
MIDTOWN DIRECT STOPS [INFREQUENTLY] AT ORANGE
NJ Transit last week began serving Orange, NJ on its much hailed Midtown
Direct run to New York Penn Station. Town officials welcomed the boost
to Orange's "mobility and status" (the service quickens the Orange -
Manhattan trip by approximately 20 minutes), but commuters are calling
for more departures from the station. Most commuters' schedules are
incompatible with the two weekday departures at 6:23 AM and 8:55 AM.
Moreover, other urban communities on the Morris and Essex line remain
wholly ignored by the service.
Launched in June, with the Kearny Connection's opening, the service
eliminates the need for transferring in Hoboken to Manhattan-bound PATH
trains. More affluent, suburban towns were, apparently, the preferred
market for the new run, leaving urban stations like Orange bypassed.
Communities served by the East Orange, Highland Ave. and Mountain stations
continue to wait for a more just distribution of transit resources.
Currently, they can access the Midtown Direct service only by transferring
at Brick Church or Broad St./Newark.
***
ZONING CHANGE COULD BRING MEGATRAFFIC
City Council member Stephen DiBrienza and Bronx Borough President Fernando
Ferrer were among those who cited traffic concerns in their arguments
against the Mayor's proposed Zoning Text Amendment. The mayoral plan
would make it easier for superstores of all types to locate in the city's
light and medium manufacturing zones and would eliminate community review
in many cases. Major impacts on local traffic, said DiBrienza, could not
be offset by recommendations in the Mayor's plan regarding megastore
landscaping, entrances and exits or by required traffic control plans.
Fernando Ferrer said consideration of traffic impacts was needed, and
advocated a stronger community role in the approval process for the
stores' traffic mitigation plans.
These voices of reason were difficult to hear above the din of battle
between Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Manhattan Borough President Ruth
Messinger, a potential mayoral contender. Media coverage of the City
Council hearings on the zoning amendment focused heavily on competing
Messinger and Giuliani radio ads, portrayed by the press as the start of
the '97 mayoral race.
***
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AROUND THE REGION
** The NJ Transit board will consider at its Nov. 26th meeting a
proposal for a 33-mile passenger rail line from Trenton through
Camden. Citing Mount Laurel and Gloucester community opposition,
the agency scaled back its original plans to run the light rail to
Glassboro--linking South Jersey to the N.E. Corridor, New York and
Philadelphia. Record
** Pres. Clinton is reportedly considering former NJ Governor Jim Florio
as replacement for U.S. Transportation Secretary Federico Pena, according
to the Associated Press. Florio, who has criticized plans to use state
funds for the Atlantic City tunnel project, is contemplating a run for
the Democratic nomination for governor. Other candidates for the
Pena post include Lockheed Martin executive Norman Mineta, FHWA
Administrator Rodney Slater and William Daley of Chicago. Courier News,
Transfer
** Albany's Capital District Transportation Authority next month will
expand bus service to the Crossgates Mall--the area's busiest bus stop.
Rider and mall demand prompted the CDTA decision to increase runs to
the shopping designation and to provide its first direct connection
from a competing mall across the Northway. Times Union
** With 100 being the top score, Money magazine rated transportation on
Long Island a 1. Given the Island's high scores in other areas,
Newsday said the low transportation score helped explain L.I.'s
unfavorable ranking as a place to live. "It's clear that the
inadequate, grossly congested transportation system is dragging [L.I.]
down."
** A private bus company, Olympia Trails, will launch in December a new
express bus route from Staten Island's South Shore to Midtown. The bus
will pick up passengers in Great Kills, Eltingville and Arden Heights
before travelling to Manhattan via the New Jersey route it pioneered
last year to beat the traffic clogged Gowanus. Advance
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***Job Announcements***
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Office Manager/Staff Assistant
Tri-State Transportation Campaign
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Requirements: commitment to citizen activism, excellent organizational,
communication, computer, and writing skills. Attention to detail
and presentation. Strong sense of personal responsibility is
essential. Person will:
--Assist director w/ all aspects of administration and program work;
arrange director's meetings, conference calls and travel; coordinate
monthly board meetings.
--Track program work of staff in three states; facilitate communication
between member groups and Campaign central staff.
--Maintain office accounting systems; develop and track expenditures and
grants; prepare financial statements.
--Assist associate director w/ outreach projects, databases and
fundraising.
--Provide general office support with phones, mail, supplies, and files.
Field public inquiries.
Send resume and cover letter to address below. Full job description
available on request.
Transportation Organizer, Part-time
Tri-State Transportation Campaign
-----------------------------------
Organizer sought to work in NJ Transit Morris & Essex line towns from
Newark to Summit. Goal: increase non-auto travel to train stations, reduce
station parking expansions and ensure adequate rail service for urban
communities. Meet w/ comm. groups, local officials; help w/ projects to
boost alternative transportation.
Requirements: day and evening availability; strong speaking, writing &
organizing skills. Ownership of a PC w/ modem strongly preferred.
Fax, e-mail or mail resume and short writing sample to Therese Langer
at Tri-State Transportation Campaign.
Fax 212-777-8157 E-mail re...@igc.apc.org.
***
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NY State Assembly
Pedestrian Safety Hearing
Sponsored by Deborah Glick, David Gantt and
the Critical Transportation Choices Commission.
December 10, 4 - 7 PM
CUNY Grad. Center Proshansky Auditorium
33 W. 42nd Street
Call 212-475-4600 or 212-674-5153.
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Calendar
NOV 25 5 - 7 PM NJDOT Public Meeting: Proposed Elimination of Newark
Bus Lanes. One Newark Center, 17th Fl. 609-530-3717.
NOV 25 5:30 PM Access to the Region's Core. Regional Citizens Advisory
Committee Mtg. Port Authority Bus Terminal. N. Wing, 2nd Fl.
212-435-4411.
DECEMBER
DEC 2 7 PM MESA / LIRR East Side Access studies to be presented to
CB #6. St. Peter's Church. 619 Lexington Ave. 718-694-5164.
DEC 4 5:30 PM Panel: Financing NY's Infrastructure Needs. Cooper
Union School of Engineering, 51 Astor Place, Wollman Auditorium.
212-465-5382.
DEC 5 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Wetlands Mitigation Banking Conference.
NJDEP & Interstate Council on Water Policy. Nassau Inn, Princeton.
609-984-3444
DEC 5 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM Ridewise Annual Awards Luncheon. Guest speaker:
Shirley DeLibero. Raritan Valley Country Club. Rte. 28. 908-704-1011.
DEC 5 NOON Transportation Research Forum Luncheon: Emerging Issues in
Airport Planning, Design & Construction. Giovanni's Atrium.
100 Washington St. 212-435-4086.
DEC 10 7 PM MESA / LIRR East Side Access studies to be presented
to CB #8. NY Hospital - Whitney Bd. Room 117. 525 E. 68th St.
718-694-5164.
DEC 13 7 AM - 13:30 PM MetroCard Bus for senior citizens to refill
MetroCards. St. George Ferry Terminal, Staten Island.
DEC 13 6 - 8 PM Planners Network Forum: Assembling and Dissembling:
What Planners Need to Know about Globalization. The Puck Bldg.
295 Lafayette St. 718-636-3461.
DEC 18 10:30 AM - 3 PM MetroCard Bus for senior citizens to refill
MetroCards. Staten Island Mall, New Springfield.
***
MTR#106. Contributors: M. Braun, B. Jain, C. Komanoff, T. Langer.
Editors: Jon Orcutt, Gian-Claudia Sciara.
Executive Director, Janine Bauer
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