The Untold Story of Transportation: A New Yorker's Struggle

 

For many New Yorkers, getting around the city is a daily hurdle. We juggle work commutes, appointments, and errands across different boroughs. This complexity is amplified for those with disabilities, making even simple trips feel like an obstacle course. Imagine needing to get from Woodhaven to Woodside for work, and then all the way to the West Side for a doctor's appointment – all while relying on accessible transportation. Transportation can become the biggest antagonist in the daily life of a New Yorker with disabilities.

A Ride Through Time: The Evolution of NYC Transportation

 

Early Days: Trails, Ferries, and Carriages

 

New York's transportation story begins with the Lenape people who carved trails through the land, a network that later influenced the path of Jamaica Avenue. In 1652, New Amsterdam enacted the city's first traffic law – a surprisingly progressive move restricting the speed of wagons, carts, and sleighs.

 

The 1800s: Laying the Foundation

 

The 19th century witnessed a transportation revolution that laid the groundwork for the city we know today. The 1811 grid plan established a clear layout for streets and avenues, while the world's first ferry service kicked off, connecting different parts of the growing city. Horse-drawn carriages were the dominant mode of public transportation, followed by steam ferries and soon after, steam trains.

 

Innovation and Expansion in the 20th Century

 

The 20th century saw a rapid evolution of transportation options. The first elevated trains, introduced in 1867, became a popular means of travel, and by 1878, millions relied on them. An interesting footnote: Alfred E. Beach's "pneumatic subway" from the 1870s, propelled by a giant fan, offered a glimpse of future subway technology.

 

Steam-powered streetcars replaced horse-drawn carriages, offering faster and cleaner transportation. However, their speed also posed a danger to pedestrians, leading to the Brooklyn baseball team's iconic nickname – the Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers.

 

The early 1900s saw a flurry of advancements. Electric trains arrived in 1903, followed by gas-powered buses in 1905. Traffic signals debuted in 1919, guiding the growing number of vehicles navigating the city. By 1925, two separate train systems served New Yorkers. The latter half of the century saw the decline of streetcars, replaced by an expanding network of buses that remains a crucial part of the city's transportation system today.

 

Challenges and the Future

 

Despite its rich history, New York City's mass transit system faces contemporary challenges. In 2017, Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency for the MTA due to reliability and overcrowding issues. Addressing these issues remains a critical priority for the city's well-being.

Demystifying the MTA and FMTAC: A Rider's Guide

 

New York City boasts a vast transportation network with cars, trains, buses, and ferries keeping the city moving. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) plays a central role, overseeing a complex web of operations.

 

Understanding the MTA's Structure

 

Many riders may not be aware that the MTA encompasses several subsidiaries, including:

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• Long Island Rail Road (LIRR)

• Metro-North Railroad (MNR)

• Staten Island Railway (SIR)

• MTA New York City Transit (NYCT)

• MTA Bridges and Tunnels (B&T)

• Others focused on capital construction and bus operations

 

One lesser-known subsidiary is the First Mutual Transportation Assurance Company (FMTAC).

 

What is FMTAC?

 

Established in 1997, FMTAC acts as a captive insurance company specifically for the MTA. Essentially, it's a self-insurance program designed to manage the MTA's own insurance needs and maximize program flexibility.

 

The Concern: Risk Management and Transparency

 

Recent articles highlight FMTAC's use of reinsurance markets beyond the US, including London, Europe, and Bermuda. While this can be a common practice in risk management, some riders express concern about MTA funding, particularly during times of financial hardship like the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The concern centers on over $1 billion in MTA resources being directed overseas for reinsurance.

 

Moving Forward: Balancing Risk and Transparency

 

The MTA faces a critical challenge: balancing responsible risk management with public transparency. Open communication about FMTAC's role and reinsurance practices can help alleviate concerns and ensure optimal use of public funds for our vital transportation system.

My Bus-Centric Vision for NYC's Transportation:

A Comprehensive Plan

 

Strong Leadership for Effective Solutions

 

I believe strong leadership is crucial for solving our transportation challenges. We must take ownership and find solutions that work for New Yorkers.

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Bringing Power Back: City Control of MTA NYC Transit

 

Currently, the MTA, a state-run entity, oversees public transportation. I propose bringing NYC Transit (subways and buses) under city control, allowing for more responsive decision-making.

 

Buses as the Backbone: A Multi-Pronged Approach

 

With limited options for expanding subway infrastructure, buses offer a more immediate solution. Here's my plan:

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• More Buses, More Routes, More Coverage: We need to significantly increase the number of buses and the routes they serve.

• Focus on ADA Compliance: All buses must be ADA compliant to ensure accessibility for everyone.

• Dedicated Bus Lanes: Expanding bus lanes is crucial, and I propose creating 20-30 miles annually compared to the current target of 10-15.

• Speeding Up Buses: Physically separated bus lanes are expensive. I propose cost-effective measures like speed bumps to expedite bus travel.

• Closing Gaps in Service: Areas like Rockaway and the "meteor-sized hole" between Woodside and Woodhaven need additional bus routes.

• Prioritizing Existing Lanes: Improving existing bus lanes (10 miles annually) is just as important as creating new ones.

• Traffic Signal Priority: Granting buses priority at traffic lights can improve efficiency, but it shouldn't come at the expense of increasing the bus fleet and routes.

 

Enforcement with Clear Revenue Allocation

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• Expanding Bus Lane Camera Enforcement: I support this measure as long as the revenue goes directly to the MTA bus budget.

• Streamlining Enforcement: We have enough NYPD enforcement for bus lanes. Let's focus on effective deployment.

 

Making Bus Stops Work

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• Evaluating and Improving Bus Stops: Bus stops need to be efficient and user-friendly.

 

Partnership with the MTA

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• Supporting MTA Bus Network Redesign: We need to work collaboratively on improving bus networks and prioritizing borough-specific needs.

• Advocacy for All-Door Boarding and SBS Restart: Implementing all-door boarding and restarting the Select Bus Service program will expedite bus travel.

 

Taking Control: Key Strategies

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• Investigating First Mutual Transportation Assurance Company: An investigation into this MTA subsidiary with significant assets is warranted to ensure transparency.

• Focus on Safety: While cameras and tickets deter violations, let's prioritize measures like speed bumps to create safer streets.

• Addressing Speeding and Dangerous Driving: More speed bumps on wider streets and a quicker response to resident requests for stop signs will improve safety.

 

Removing Unnecessary Barriers

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• Eliminating Cross Bay Bridge Tolls: This toll creates an unnecessary burden within the same district.

• Expanding Citywide Ferry Service: Extending ferry service, with stops near NYCHA buildings and better integration with the overall transit system, will provide more options.

• Negotiating Reduced LIRR Fares: The MTA, which owns the LIRR, should offer reduced fares for NYC residents.

 

Optimizing Parking Solutions

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• Building the QueensRail: This existing infrastructure has the potential to significantly reduce commute times.

• Implementing Reverse Angle Parking: This DOT program should be implemented to improve parking efficiency.

• Regulating and Legitimizing On-Street Parking: Creating a permit system for well-maintained on-street parking can free up street space.

 

Lower-Cost Speed Control

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• Speed Strips: These textured road surfaces are a more affordable solution to deter speeding compared to speed bumps and cameras.

 

Overall Benefits

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By focusing on a robust bus system, addressing parking challenges, and prioritizing safety, we can create a more efficient, accessible, and less stressful transportation network for all New Yorkers. This revised plan streamlines your ideas, categorizes them for better readability, and emphasizes a clear vision for NYC's transportation future.