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The Topic
Transportation: All the ways that you can get around -- auto, subway, bus, taxi, airplane, train, car service, limousine, walking and biking.
The Context
With 18.9 million residents in the metropolitan area, NYC has particularly high demands on its public transportation system and its roads.

Transportation Archive

Albany Puts the Brakes on Faster Buses  (June 2008)  In the wake of effectively dooming congestion pricing, at least for now, the State Legislature looked at another measure to ease traffic on city streets. As Graham Beck reports, the mayor and transportation advocates did not fare any better this time around.

Bridging Mass Transit's Budget Gap  (May 2008)  The transit system faces a struggle to meet operating expenses and a $17.5 billion deficit in its five-year capital program.

Street Closures and the Battle of Prince Street  (April 2008)  Closing streets to cars can make an area more inviting and pleasant for people -- but residents of SoHo worry it could turn their already crowded neighborhood into a street fair for tourists.

Breaking the Gridlock on Congestion Pricing  (March 2008)  Now that the governor has come out for charging people to drive in Manhattan, the time has come for City Council and the legislature to approve or reject the plan. A look at the issues and the politics.

Helping Old New Yorkers Get Around Town  (February 2008)  Everyone walks in New York but getting up curbs and across streets can present a challenge to thousands of elderly New Yorkers. The city has a plan to make it easier.

Speeding New York's Buses  (January 2008)  Is Bus Rapid Transit an oxymoron?

State of Cycling  (August 2007)  The plans for a more environmentally friendly New York include a number of ideas to make bicycling easier and safer.

Tracking and Video: Coming Soon to a Taxi Near You  (June 2007)  By next year all taxicabs are to be equipped with tracking systems and video monitors. The taxi commission hails this as a “revolutionary” move to make travel safer and more pleasant. Drivers disagree.

Will the Critics Kill Congestion Pricing?  (May 2007)  Transportation: Politicians are lining up to oppose congestion pricing but, writes Bruce Schaller, that could change as the public learns more about its costs and benefits.

Future of Pedicabs Remains Uncertain  (April 2007)  The mayor’s veto of a pedicab bill continues the debate over what role the cabs can play in the city’s transportation mix.

Finding A Parking Space  (March 2007)  As much as 45 percent of traffic on the city’s streets consists of cars searching for a parking space. Bruce Schaller explains one "rock star's" solution -- “market rate pricing of metered spaces.”

Sustainable Transportation for 2030  (February 2007)  Transportation plays a central role in all of the central challenges that Mayor Michael Bloomberg says is facing in the next 25 years, writes Bruce Schaller, who explains some of the Bloomberg administration’s ideas – and some of his own.

Lessons From The Number 7 Train Extension  (January 2007)  Financing is in place for the construction of the No. 7 subway line. Bruce Schaller looks at the lessons for getting other big transportation projects done.

Congestion Pricing And The Future Of NYC: Addressing The Objections  (December 2006)  If mayor’s speech about the city’s major challenges for the future specifically mentioned traffic congestion, it was left to the panelists afterwards to bring up one way of reducing it -- congestion pricing, charging a fee for using busy roadways. Bruce Schaller addresses the arguments being made against this solution.

New Congress Will Move On Transportation  (November 2006)  

MTA Debt  (October 2006)  The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is facing ballooning debt, but has postponed dealing with it, Bruce Schaller writes.

Transit Riders – More For Work, Fewer For Fun  (September 2006)  Bruce Schaller analyzes recent census data to show that, while more New Yorkers are taking public transportation to work, fewer are taking the bus or subway for fun.

Transportation And The New Governor  (August 2006)  Bruce Schaller looks at how New York City’s transportation system might fare under a new governor.

Biking It  (July 2006)  The death of three bicyclists in separate traffic accidents has renewed attention to bicycling as a form of transportation. Bruce Schaller explores.

Faster Buses?  (June 2006)  “What will be required to make buses move faster, reduce the waits at bus stops and make the entire experience more comfortable and reliable?” Bruce Schaller asks. The answer, some suggest, is bus rapid transit, or BRT.

Closing The Park Loop Drives To Cars?  (May 2006)  Bruce Schaller debates the merits of a City Council bill that would close the drives in Central Park and Prospect Park to cars during the summer.

Staten Island's New Decongestant Plan  (April 2006)  Bruce Schaller looks at the new plan to address the transportation problems on Staten Island, the most car-dependent borough of New York.

Congestion Pricing  (March 2006)  Bruce Schaller revisits the debate over "congestion pricing" -- making drivers pay to enter the central business district -- in light of new information.

Beyond The MetroCard  (February 2006)  Bruce Schaller looks at the alternatives to the MetroCard that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is trying out in a pilot program. Will the "smart card" mean the end of swiping again (and again)?

Sorting Out The Transit Contract  (January 2006)  Did the transit union gain anything by striking? Will the settlement terms make a future strike more likely? Are subway and bus riders better or worse off? As the vote on the new contract gets underway, Bruce Schaller addresses these and other questions.

Transit Strike -- Negotiating For Respect  (December 2005)  Although there were clear dollars-and-cents issues that drove the Transport Workers Union Local 100 to call a strike against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority early in the morning of December 20, Bruce Schaller observes, "respect seemed to be the driving motivating factor."

A Series Of Strikes  (December 2005)  Bruce Schaller explains the announcement by transit workers president Roger Toussaint that the union board has authorized a "series of strikes," and what the sticking points are in the negotiations between the Transport Workers Union and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Bracing For A Transit Strike  (December 2005)  For the second time in three years, New Yorkers are bracing for a bus and subway strike. Bruce Schaller details the issues that need to be resolved to prevent a showdown, and hopes for a change in transit labor relations, "which remain in the dark ages."

Transportation Bond Act's Passage May Bring Other Transit Issues To The Fore  (November 2005)  Voter approval of the transportation bond act may bring other transportation issues to the fore, such as congestion pricing, security -- and the credibility of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Transportation Bond Act  (October 2005)  Bruce Schaller offers an overview of the Transportation Bond Act, on the ballot in November.

Katrina's Wake-Up Call For New York?  (September 2005)  If a Hurricane Katrina happened here, could New Yorkers find the transportation they need to move to safety?

Campaign 2005: Democratic Mayoral Candidates’ Transportation Agendas  (August 2005)  Bruce Schaller gives a rundown on the transportation agendas of the Democratic mayoral candidates – those who have agendas, anyway.

Security and the NYC Subways  (July 2005)  In the wake of the London bombings on July 7th, Bruce Schaller details the four basic tasks in dealing with the threat of terrorism in the New York City subway system - and where we are with them.

Cell Phone Use By Drivers -- A Threat To Public Safety?  (June 2005)  Although it has been illegal since 2001 for New Yorkers to use cell phones while driving, their use appears to be increasing. Bruce Schaller attempts to answer the question, “is cell phone use by drivers a threat to public safety?”

42nd Street Trolley?  (May 2005)  “Should trolleys – now re-christened light rail – return to 42nd Street for the first time since they were replaced by buses 59 years ago?” Bruce Schaller details a recent proposal.

The State Budget’s $38.5 Billion Transportation Program  (April 2005)  Bruce Schaller looks at the new $38.5 billion transportation program approved as part of the New York State budget – including money for some of the city’s favorite transportation megaprojects.

Fewer Cars (Same Traffic)  (March 2005)  The number of cars registered in New York City has declined. Bruce Schaller explains the cause and the effect.

Learning from the Subway Fire  (February 2005)  Bruce Schaller explains the puzzling missteps of January's subway fire, and some lessons learned.

Pataki's Budget  (January 2005)  Bruce Schaller looks at what Governor Pataki’s budget means for the transit system.

Should Public Funds Keep NY Waterway Alive?  (December 2004)  With the announcement from the president of New York Waterway that the ferry company is “dying,” the city is faced with a fundamental question: should public agencies subsidize specific ferry routes to keep them running? Bruce Schaller explores.

Alternatives to Transit Fare Increases And Service Cuts  (November 2004)  The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has maxed out its credit cards. Bruce Schaller suggests alternatives to transit hikes and service cuts.

What's Better, What's Worse During Bloomberg's Administration  (October 2004)  Complaints about cab service increased 46 percent in the three years since Mayor Michael Bloomberg took office; traffic fatalities declined by 15 percent; 190,000 potholes were repaired, but the streets are worse. Bruce Schaller looks at the Bloomberg administration's own figures to report on what's better, what's worse, what's unchanged in transportation.

Proposed Fare Increases And The Cut In City And State Aid  (September 2004)  Proposed fare and toll increases, Bruce Schaller writes, are necessary to pay for maintenance and new projects since both city and state aid have been cut.

How Disruptive Will The Convention Be?  (July 2004)  Bruce Schaller details how disruptive the Republican National Convention will be to commuters.

The Rail Freight Tunnel  (June 2004)  Another big transportation project, a rail freight tunnel between Brooklyn and New Jersey, has moved a step forward with a report that concludes that it’s a good idea. Bruce Schaller explains how.

Proposed Rail Link  (May 2004)  Transportation. Another look at the proposed rail link from JFK to Downtown Manhattan for which the governor has announced his support.

MetroCard Discounts  (April 2004)  Have the subway and bus fare discounts become too much of a good thing?

Awaiting The Fate Of City-Subsidized Private Bus Lines  (March 2004)  When it was revealed that the Bloomberg administration has sat on $150 million intended to replace aging buses for seven city-subsidized private bus companies, critics charged this was the city’s way of putting pressure on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to speed up its takeover of the bus routes.

Taxi Fare Hike  (February 2004)  Bruce Schaller looks at the proposed hike in the taxi fare.

How New Yorkers Get To Work  (January 2004)  Bruce Schaller analyzes new census information about how New Yorkers travel to work, and how it should change current thinking about transportation improvements.

New Subway Projects And Their Benefits  (December 2003)  Bruce Schaller explains how two new reports measure the relative benefits of seven proposed subway projects, from the extension of the number 7 line to the creation of the Second Avenue Subway.

Staten Island Ferry Crash Remains A Puzzle  (November 2003)  There are five questions that Bruce Schaller asks about the crash of the Staten Island Ferry in October that killed 10 people – questions whose answers are still only puzzles. One is why city officials are acting so surprised that it occurred.

East River Bridge Tolls  (October 2003)  Bruce Schaller revisits the proposals to toll East River bridges, reporting on two new reports on the issue, and detailing the mayor's shifting position.

A Taxi Fare Increase?  (September 2003)  The city has taken two years without deciding on a taxi fare increase – and far longer on a much-needed increase in the number of cabs.

Ranking The Subway Lines  (August 2003)  The good news is that subway cars break down less now; the bad news is that they're dirtier. Bruce Schaller looks at the worst subway line, and the best subway line, and the report that determined this.

New Projects, Same No Money  (July 2003)  There are a slew of projects that suddenly have new life, such as direct rail service from the airports to Lower Manhattan. But where are the $25 billion to $40 billion for them going to come from? Not, Bruce Schaller suggests, from tolls on East River bridges, and probably not from the federal government.

Budget Cuts In Transportation  (June 2003)  Bruce Schaller details how some of the budget cuts in transportation are actually improvements - and how most will adversely affect New Yorkers' daily lives.

Making the MTA Play Fair and Square  (May 2003)  

Responding To The Terrorist Threat  (April 2003)  Transportation facilities such as the airports and the subway system rank high on the list of potential terrorist targets. Bruce Schaller details the steps being taken – and not being taken – to protect them.

The Two Dollar Fare  (March 2003)  It's official — subway and bus fares are going up to two dollars. Bruce Schaller offers details (what will the MetroCard be now?) and explains why the riding public is not up in arms about it.

Options For The Fare Increase; Bridge And Tunnel Tolls; Transportation Plans In Lower Manhattan  (February 2003)  If most New Yorkers are asking themselves "how are we going to get around today," Bruce Schaller is asking, how are New Yorkers going to get around in the long-run (and at what cost), as he analyzes some recent official announcements about the future of Lower Manhattan; the planned increase in the subway and bus fares; the bridge and tunnel tolls.

The (Proposed) Trains To The Planes  (January 2003)  Bruce Schaller casts a critical eye on Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s various plans to create trains to the planes (direct rail access to the airports).

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Debating Transportation Priorities For Lower Manhattan  (November 2002)  Bruce Schaller details the debate over which transportation projects should be funded by the $4.55 billion in 9/11-related federal aid.

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The Help America Vote Act -- The Good News and Bad News For NYC  (October 2002)  

Election Special--The Transportation Bond Act  (October 2000)