Tri-State Transportation Campaign (TSTC) is an advocacy organization dedicated to reducing dependency on traditional automobiles by improving the quality of public transit, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions caused by transportation, and advocating for safer, greener, equitable street design in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. TSTC advances its mission by developing unique technical, data, and policy analysis that allows us to build trusted relationships with legislators, inform advocates and coalition partners, and advance our message in the media.
Yesterday Governor Kathy Hochul announced that congestion pricing in New York City will move forward! For decades, a broad coalition of New York advocates has been determined to make New York City the first in the nation to realize this ambitious plan.
Riders Alliance led civic actions bringing attention to a failing subway system responsible for moving most New Yorkers around. They took cardboard cutouts of Governor Andrew Cuomo on tour through subway stations during the hot summer months, escalating their campaign during the 2017 “Summer of Hell” subway failures. This group of straphangers highlighted unreliable service, commuting horror stories, and unaffordable fares. They rallied New Yorkers to fight for congestion pricing and lobbied government officials to support it. This groundswell ultimately contributed to the passage of congestion pricing under Governor Cuomo in 2019.
And they were not the only ones.
When Governor Hochul announced she planned to “indefinitely pause” the program in June, Transportation Alternatives(TA) and Riders Alliance sprang into collective action, showing up within hours with crowds of New Yorkers outside her office to urge “Congestion Pricing Now.” Over the past six months, they have not let up–leading a “Rush Hour Day of Action,” “Stroller March,” and organizing rallies and testimonies at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority(MTA), among many other events. Just yesterday, TA published immediate actions New Yorkers can take to ensure the plan is a success: https://lnkd.in/guMf-3cd.
All this work has been supported by the reporting of the Regional Plan Association, which has provided solid research informing the program's implementation and has been among the leaders of the Congestion Pricing Now Coalition, a group of elected leaders and environmental, civic, transit, business, disability, and climate justice organizations who have successfully urged the Governor to turn the program on. https://lnkd.in/gGsRX9ek
Many more organizations, including the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, and individuals deserve recognition. Some of them have been involved in advancing congestion pricing for more than 30 years, including Sam Schwartz and Charles Komanoff, who I wrote about in From the Ground Up (Island Press). Each of them has laid a crucial piece in the implementation of congestion pricing in New York City.
New Yorkers are grateful for their years of advocacy and, ultimately, to Kathy Hochul and the MTA for responding to their call and turning Congestion Pricing on in January. Congratulations! It has been a monumental effort and is now days away from becoming a reality.
(Video by Clarence Eckerson Jr., Streetfilms 2015)
#congestionpricing
A HUGE win for the region today—congestion pricing is finally moving forward!
Thank you, Governor Kathy Hochul, for unpausing the program and taking a critical step toward cleaner air, safer streets, and reliable transit.
This decision helps reduce traffic and gridlock, cut emissions, protect public health, make streets safer, and support a transit system that works for everyone.
This first-in-the-nation program will build a more livable and resilient city! #CongestionPricingNow#NYTrendsetter#ClimatePolicy#EnvironmentalJustice
Renae Reynolds, just published a powerful piece in Vital City laying out a clear message: without a serious overhaul of our bus network, New York City's public transit system will fail its most riders.
◦Buses are the backbone of transportation for many New Yorkers, especially those in transit deserts, yet slow speeds, inconsistent service, and outdated infrastructure are letting our communities down.
◦Her solutions are simple and within reach: more dedicated bus lanes, all-door boarding, an accelerated transition to electric buses, and a complete redesign of our bus routes to match today’s needs. It’s time we give buses the attention they deserve to reduce inequality and make our city more accessible.
◦◦Read her compelling call to action here: https://lnkd.in/e8Msc-VV#BetterBuses#NYCTransit#TransitEquity#PublicTransportation#SustainableCities
Hey Everyone,
I wrote an article in Vital City, as part of their series on building better transit. In it I discuss the vital role buses played in my life as a kid growing up in Queens, and why it is extremely important for us to invest in making our transit buses better.
Tri-State Transportation Campaign
I had a fantastic time at the MOVE America Conference in Austin Texas this week. There were so many great talks on the ecosystem of mobility. I also had the opportunity to give my own presentation on Congestion Pricing and why this traffic management program is a critical part of improving mobility in New York City.
#MoveAmerica2024Tri-State Transportation Campaign#ClimateWeek
