New York City - Transit News

[mrsmartman]

First Span of Kosciuszko Bridge to Open Thursday
Gov. Cuomo’s latest infrastructure project to provide traffic relief for New Yorkers, but some question his methods

Originally Posted by Wall Street Journal

With the opening Thursday night of the first span of the new Kosciuszko Bridge, New York drivers will be relieved of one of the city’s most notorious traffic bottlenecks, and Brooklyn and Queens residents will be rid of an eyesore.

At the same time, the bridge opening gives New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo further opportunity to burnish his image as a governor invested deeply in the state’s infrastructure.

Just as President Donald...

Source: https://www.wsj.com/articles/first-span-of-kosciuszko-bridge-to-open-thursday-1493153869

[chris08876]

New Kosciuszko Bridge Opens:

• Video Link

• Video Link

[Busy Bee]

It looks great, but I don't understand why this bridge needs a second span. The new span seems like it would have plenty of capacity...

[mrnyc]

the new ferry transit service kicked off this morning!



TRANSIT

NYC Ferry launches in Rockaway with celebration from residents

By Vincent Barone [email protected] May 1, 2017


It’s back.

Mayor Bill de Blasio’s NYC Ferry service launched its Rockaway route on Monday morning. After the city discontinued ferry service from the Queens neighborhood in 2014, its return was reason to celebrate.

Residents packed on the first boat for a 5:30 a.m. maiden voyage. They took pictures of their tickets and cheered as the first ferry set sail.


more:
http://www.amny.com/transit/nyc-ferry-la...th-celebration-from-residents-1.13546791

[mrsmartman]

The Ferry Services to Wall Street can hopefully accelerate the renaissance of the Financial District.

[mrsmartman]

Can New York Get Ferry Skeptics on Board?
Critics say commuters won’t switch; ‘They’re spending money in the wrong places’

Originally Posted by Wall Street Journal

In the coming months, New York City is poised to have its most expansive ferry system in more than a century, a costly initiative aimed at using the waterways to ease commutes in a growing city wrestling with crowded subways and traffic-snarling congestion.

City officials and experts have high hopes the ferries can transform the way New Yorkers live and commute, connecting thousands in waterfront neighborhoods in Queens, the Bronx...

Source: https://www.wsj.com/articles/can-new-york-get-ferry-skeptics-on-board-1492862402

[ChargerCarl]

The critics are right.

[mrnyc]

no they aren't.

there is no way 4.5M people can be moved around on all these new routes in this quick of a time frame and for less money. for example, 2nd ave subway cost $300k per foot, so you could get a football field's worth of subway tunnel for the same money, but thats it.

also, the subsidy for the ferry is $6.60 per rider, more than for subway riders at 62 cents per rider, but less than for lirr riders at $8 and express bus riders at $15.

so even if it fails completely, the history is the city has tried out 70 ferry lines since the 1980s, with 20 finding success, its natural for these water transit services to come and go. it's worth taking another crack at it. it will be crazy popular this summer that is for sure.


and lastly, from the nytimes, if anybody knows, this guy should know a thing or two about it:

Just a year ago, doubts about the city’s ability to create a ferry fleet from scratch seemed rampant. Tom Fox, who formerly ran the Water Taxi service in New York, was one of the skeptics. “There was a lot of skepticism, and they proved the skeptics wrong,” Mr. Fox said on Sunday. “When you’re wrong, you’re wrong. I’m looking forward to seeing how they operate the service.”

[ChargerCarl]

Originally Posted by mrnyc

no they aren't.

there is no way 4.5M people can be moved around on all these new routes in this quick of a time frame and for less money. for example, 2nd ave subway cost $300k per foot, so you could get a football field's worth of subway tunnel for the same money, but thats it.

also, the subsidy for the ferry is $6.60 per rider, more than for subway riders at 62 cents per rider, but less than for lirr riders at $8 and express bus riders at $15.

so even if it fails completely, the history is the city has tried out 70 ferry lines since the 1980s, with 20 finding success, its natural for these water transit services to come and go. it's worth taking another crack at it. it will be crazy popular this summer that is for sure.


and lastly, from the nytimes, if anybody knows, this guy should know a thing or two about it:

Just a year ago, doubts about the city’s ability to create a ferry fleet from scratch seemed rampant. Tom Fox, who formerly ran the Water Taxi service in New York, was one of the skeptics. “There was a lot of skepticism, and they proved the skeptics wrong,” Mr. Fox said on Sunday. “When you’re wrong, you’re wrong. I’m looking forward to seeing how they operate the service.”

Right, it only makes sense because NYC has fucked up its rail system.

https://pedestrianobservations.wordpress.com/2015/02/10/ferries/

[mrnyc]

its one of the largest rail systems in the world, so no it hasnt.

even if the subway tunneling cost was cut it half, you would still only get about 1000ft of tunnel and it would take some years. meanwhile, the ferries will move around 4.5M with 20-something all new stations. so no, you want the ferries.

[ChargerCarl]

As ferry plan emerges, so do major flaws:

http://secondavenuesagas.com/2015/08/25/as-ferry-plan-emerges-so-do-major-flaws/

Have these concerns been addressed?

[mrsmartman]

They should charge premium fare for premium service.

[yankeesfan1000]

Originally Posted by ChargerCarl

Right, it only makes sense because NYC has fucked up its rail system.

https://pedestrianobservations.wordpress.com/2015/02/10/ferries/

This. Ferries require huge per rider subsidies. This is a short term politically convenient solution for a Mayor seeking reelection, and does nothing to address the underlying issue that the subway system is in disrepair.

[chris08876]

Originally Posted by yankeesfan1000

This. Ferries require huge per rider subsidies. This is a short term politically convenient solution for a Mayor seeking reelection, and does nothing to address the underlying issue that the subway system is in disrepair.

And the roads. Roads need overhauls. New lanes and higher capacity. The BQE for example is a nightmare. I'd also say changing some of the light timings. Some roads that should have longer greens and shorter reds. I've noticed this a lot driving in Queens/Brooklyn for work. Some red light times are asinine and the timings are terrible on exit ramps from the various parkways or expressways.

City needs to do a bulk of its road work at night as well. During the day causes way to many delays. Seems like it at least. Always inconveniently placed too.

[mrnyc]

^ don't forget the bridges, they need work too.


poor new yorkers need the bqx

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/poor-new-yorkers-bqx-streetcar-article-1.3140660

[mrsmartman]

MTA blames typo for ‘d–k passenger’ tweet

Originally Posted by New York Post

Straphangers really got the shaft Friday evening!

The MTA in a tweet blamed a “d–k” passenger for service changes on the 1, 2, and 3 lines.

The transit agency tweeted the news as an explanation for why northbound 1 trains are currently running express from Chambers street to 14 Street.

In an accompanying graphic, however, the blame is laid on a “sick” passenger...

Read More: http://nypost.com/2017/05/05/mta-blames-typo-for-d-k-passenger-tweet/

[streetscaper]

Originally Posted by yankeesfan1000

This. Ferries require huge per rider subsidies. This is a short term politically convenient solution for a Mayor seeking reelection, and does nothing to address the underlying issue that the subway system is in disrepair.

There are people that criticize everything (the cost of the new oculus, the 2nd ave subway, etc) but then love the luxury. We can go the super utilitarian route for everything and nothing nice would get built lol. I don't think it's a wildly expensive development even for the relatively few people who will use it. And I don't think this was supposed to be a "fix for an overburdened public transit system" but simply give more people more options, so that was kind of a strawman. Hey, I'd rather have another travel option than nothing at all (I certainly will use the expanded network as I work right next to one of the stops). People here already use ferries to get around all the time (Staten Island Ferry, East River Ferry, and the extensive Hudson River Ferry system), this is really just expanding the network. People also use other transit options that are even more expensive than the this new ferry system in terms of subsidies per capita. When you think about it, the new ferry system is like an express bus, just on the water. And the East river, one typical route, has a current subsidy of $3.47 per passenger ($6.22-2.75). Actual express bus subsidies, $14.82!! But do you hear people calling for the abolishment of the Express bus system? No! Because, frankly, the city's ferry system is just the new scapegoat in a long line of scapegoats for the problems of the state-run MTA.


https://www.nycedc.com/sites/default/fil...ces/Studies/NYCEDC_Ferry_White_Paper.pdf

[chris08876]

We need to get subway pushers down the line like in Japan. IF they won't invest as much for the subway, then pay a guy to push folks into the train. Cram as many as you can into the train cars. And make them wear a hat too!

[mrsmartman]

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[mrsmartman]

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