The hidden subway that New York refuses to build | NYC is one step closer to having a mayor that actually cares about transit and people. Maybe this isn't so far-fetched now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfCzZconie8
220 points · 20 comments · view on lemmy.world
20 Comments
DrunkEngineer@lemmy.world · 22 pts · 1y
The Mayor actually has very little control over the MTA.
Aatube@kbin.melroy.org · 18 pts · 1y
Still, he has more influence than an assemblyman, board appointees, and a pulpit.
Bakkoda@sh.itjust.works · 5 pts · 1y
Control is one thing. Manufacturing PR and applying pressure through public opinion is easily inside the power of any politician.
RubberElectrons@lemmy.world · 19 pts · 1y
There's an abandoned line running from north to south through queens. My buddy and I walked a lot of it, I think it's wild nobody has done anything with it, even already having right of way, and it's above ground.
Lowest restore costs I can imagine.
It's this bright red section: https://alchetron.com/cdn/rockaway-beach-branch-ec70aaec-38ed-4eac-97c4-692868077cf-resize-750.jpeg
E: I can't believe I'm commenting on the line the video is talking about, this is awesome!
Aatube@kbin.melroy.org · 14 pts · 1y
What do we feel about eliminating bus fares? It'll definitely improve quality of life for drivers, riders, and new riders, but how they're going to pay for that feels like a giant missed opportunity in improving rail and the subway.
surewhynotlem@lemmy.world · 32 pts · 1y
Improving the subway underneath all those buildings is a multi decade adventure.
Free busses is tomorrow.
It can be both.
Nomecks@lemmy.ca · 15 pts · 1y
It gets paid for by savings in road network maintenance. More people on transit = less cars destroying everything.
Aatube@kbin.melroy.org · 6 pts · 1y
I don't think that's gonna cover much of the $600 million after eliminating fare enforcement costs.
Nomecks@lemmy.ca · 1 pts · 1y
outhouseperilous@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 0 pts · 1y
Enforcement costs includes pay systems, enfircer paychecks, gear, blood, and lawsuits for the victims
Aatube@kbin.melroy.org · 1 pts · 1y
Yeah that's already factored in as savings and thus deducted from the costs:
I already deducted an extra $52 million for a good-looking number. Whatever the independent analysis didn't think of is not likely to go beyond this $52 million.
outhouseperilous@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 0 pts · 1y
I dont think its polite to include the settlements of cases of police abuse. Or monetizing the dead.
Aatube@kbin.melroy.org · 2 pts · 1y
If you don't include them then the cost is gonna be higher than $600 million. My point that it won't pay for itself and has to suck up funds that could've been used for infrastructure remains.
outhouseperilous@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 1 pts · 1y
Oh. Yes. Means testing us not cost efficient.
boonhet@lemm.ee · 2 pts · 1y
Say the average bus is 10 tons empty and the average car is 2. The fourth power law states that the bus is 625x as much wear on the roads.
It'll reduce traffic jams, as well as empower people who can't, or can barely, afford the fare, but road maintenance? Not so sure.
What would help more with the road network maintenance is taxing heavy vehicles. Commercial vehicles could get a bigger threshold and personal vehicles a smaller one.
Natanael@infosec.pub · 1 pts · 1y
Cars impose a ton of other societal costs too, busses still win. Expanding public transit usually saves money. (it helps if you can move some traffic to rail)
GissaMittJobb@lemmy.ml · 3 pts · 1y
It's not my favourite intervention to improve transit, but it does have some benefits, like reduced dwell times from faster boarding on buses.
The important thing is that it might get a candidate elected who can perform long-term improvements.