…access to good, low- or no-cost public institutions clearly, consistently catalyzes upward social mobility.… The returns to society are the things most all of us, across the center of the political spectrum broadly defined, at least claim to want: greater innovation, a healthier and more empowered citizenry, and an enhanced tax base, for starters.
Adam Greenfield, on free public transit, in Free mobility, social mobility…transmobility (part III)
From the MTA: “1 of 2 caverns that will house LIRR platforms and tracks underneath the lower level of Grand Central Terminal.” More photos
On the eve of yet another fare hike, transit advocates have themselves to blame. We haven’t united behind the proper message; we haven’t overcome a powerful auto lobby; and we haven’t made our voices heard by those who hold the purse strings. One day, that will change. For now, we’re left with higher fares and a transit authority on life support.
Benjamin Kabak, Who pays attention to the needs of the subways?
For 50 years we have had no national vision for transportation. We are working under an outdated mission, with outdated institutions. Our competitor nations are not saddled with that. We are increasingly a metropolitan nation, but our institutions do not reflect that. NYCDOT is larger than two-thirds of the state DOTs, and yet we do not have direct access to federal transportation funds. I am hobbled by the fact that we can’t access the funds that we need.
Janette Sadik-Khan, Commissioner, NYC Department of Transportation, at the Regional Plan Association’s 2009 Regional Assembly as reported by Streetsblog. (She also suggested reframing federal “operating assistance” for local transit as “energy independence grants” to make such funding more palatable to politicans.)
