Congestion Pricing: Reasons for Driving
As Daniel reported in his post about Friday's DMI meeting on congestion pricing, New Yorkers are, for all intents and purposes, already paying a congestion tax: the cost of congestion itself. He also reported on the consensus opinion that any congestion pricing plan would only feasible -- and fair -- if it were coupled with a serious investment in expanding access to and the efficiency of public transporation:
Everyone on the panel suggested that people who drive were making a rational choice based on the options available to them and that a successful plan would have to take their needs into account.
While I share this view, it's worth noting that some data indicate that only a small portion of those who drive into Manhattan's central business districts do so because they lack access to adequate public transport.
The Gothamist linked last week to a survey by the Partnership for New York City that found that, of the five percent of New Yorkers who drive to work in the CBDs, "just 17 percent ... take their cars into Manhattan’s CBDs because of inaccessible or inconvenient mass transit options." Moreover, only 10 percent of New York's drivers, according to the poll, said that taking mass transit would make their commutes any slower than driving. The PFNYC study implied that it was a sort of inertia, more than anything else, keeping New York City's drivers from abandoning their cars -- and that only congestion pricing could change this:
“Our survey of New Yorkers who drive in Manhattan found that congestion pricing is the only mechanism that will entice a large portion of drivers to switch to public transit,†said Partnership for New York City President and CEO Kathryn Wylde. “A significant percentage of surveyed drivers are heavily resistant to getting out of their cars, but in response to pricing there are more than enough who would to reduce congestion by a significant factor.†[...]A key conclusion of the survey is that, while the majority of drivers in New York City believe that traffic congestion is a serious problem (68%), few would change their habits absent congestion charges.
“While New York City drivers are one of the primary, if not the top cause of congestion, most drivers claim to have seen the enemy and it is someone else,†Wylde adds in reference to the survey’s findings that New York drivers blame others for congestion. Surveyed drivers cite truck and delivery vehicles (18%), taxis and livery cars (17%), people driving from the suburbs (12%) and double parking (12%) as the top four causes of congestion.
This is only one study, and it certainly doesn't lead to the conclusion that New York should not invest in making mass transit more accessible, affordable, and efficient, especially for children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and those in outer areas of the city. But it does suggest that congestion pricing might be effective in reducing traffic by a significant degree -- simply by providing a different incentive for those who drive mainly out of habit.
Congestion Pricing Vs. Infrastructure
Some have mentioned it and as a life long native I have to agree, yet it doesn't get as much play in this argument.
Congestion pricing is just another slick Bloomberg tax that doesn't address the main reasons for congestion.
Even if 5-17% of the traffic consists of City residents, the coverage is ignoring the fact that they ARE residents- already paying the highest tax burden in the country. Often it involves transport as well. Someone buys a TV or needs to take their pet to the vet, or whatever- not mass transit friendly events. If anyone should be exempt (not discounted) it should be the City residents.
Anyone who drives also knows that the congestion comes from the lack of infrastructure, road conditions, delivery trucks (which we definitely need), and this Bloomberg era over-the-top level of Private Luxury Condo construction (complete with their tax abatements et al). It's NOT simply, the amount of residential cars. If all tubes of the tunnels were running most of the time, if all lanes of the BQE were open most of the time if every street wasn't blocked by a crane building luxury housing - things would run much smoother. So double the maintenance crews on the bridges & tunnels, fix some roads, build some new highways . The city could pay for it with the 4.2 billion Mike wants to give Ratner for the Atlantic yards project for instance. Let Mr. Ratner pay for his own buildings.
Of course we're talking about a "green mayor" (HA) that suspended recycling when he took office, thinks it's a great idea to give our parks to private developers, and fought with all his might to build a stadium in proximity to Times Square, the Lincoln Tunnel, and the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Yeah, no congestion there.
If 5-17% of cars come from residents, that suggests 83-95% comes from commercial and non-residents. Why not test it with non-city residents only first? See if it makes a difference.
I'd also like to add that any commercial traffic affected will simply pass the cost on to city's consumers. The same way they pass on fuel surcharges.
Thanks for another one Mike.
Transportation Alternatives' Tour de Brooklyn
Transportation Alternatives’ Tour de Brooklyn!
When: Sunday June 3rd, Registration 8 am – Rain or Shine
Where: Start/ Finish Grand Army Plaza, Prospect Park
What: Bicycle tour featuring historic Brooklyn neighborhoods, parks and waterfronts.
Who: cyclists of all ages and skill levels
Info: www.tourdebrooklyn.org, call 212-629-8080
Cost: Free but on-line registration required
Bike Brooklyn’s Best 3rd Annual Tour de Brooklyn
This year’s tour gets underway at Grand Army Plaza, a National Historic Landmark at Prospect Park. This year’s 18 mile tour will feature Brooklyn’s southern neighborhoods along the waterfront like Sunset, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights and Bensonhurst and loops towards the heart of Brooklyn, Kensington and Prospect Park South to end at the Carousel.
If this is your first time to Brooklyn by bike don’t worry you can join our feeder ride, leaving from Cadman Plaza near Brooklyn Bridge. Ride will depart promptly at 7:45 am, arriving at Prospect Park 8:05 am. Safety Marshals will be provided to guide you to the GAP.
This is a family friendly ride at a leisurely pace, escorted by the police and safety marshals. There will be one rest stop along the way where you can take a break, stretch your legs and snack on some food.
Bicycling in New York City has grown by leaps and bounds, there are over 120,000 daily cyclists today, up just 75,000 1992. There are over 36,000 daily cyclists in Brooklyn alone, plus thousands more who bike for fun on the weekends. Transportation Alternatives has been instrumental in winning new bike lanes, improved bridge access, and safe parking for NYC cyclists.
Bicycling in New York City has grown by leaps and bounds, there are over 120,000 daily cyclists today, up just 75,000 1992. There are over 36,000 daily cyclists in Brooklyn alone, plus thousands more who bike for fun on the weekends. Transportation Alternatives has been instrumental in winning new bike lanes, improved bridge access, and safe parking for NYC cyclists.
Transportation Alternatives – 127 W. 26th Street, New York, NY 10001 – (212) 629-8080