Comments on: Gridlock alert! 5 cities with the worst traffic http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/gridlock-alert-5-cities-with-the-worst-traffic/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Anne Campbell http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/gridlock-alert-5-cities-with-the-worst-traffic/comment-page-1/#comment-6739 Anne Campbell Fri, 30 Nov 2007 00:04:11 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/gridlock-alert-5-cities-with-the-worst-traffic/#comment-6739 The traffic in New York has increased to the point that it's insane to take a taxi! We sit in traffic watching the meter climb higher while folks on the sidewalk beat us to the corner. Like most New Yorkers I walk everywhere or else take the subway. The traffic in New York has increased to the point that it’s insane to take a taxi! We sit in traffic watching the meter climb higher while folks on the sidewalk beat us to the corner. Like most New Yorkers I walk everywhere or else take the subway.

]]> By: Jasper http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/gridlock-alert-5-cities-with-the-worst-traffic/comment-page-1/#comment-6636 Jasper Tue, 27 Nov 2007 15:53:28 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/gridlock-alert-5-cities-with-the-worst-traffic/#comment-6636 It's interesting to see that politicians are more interested in not raising taxes, than to do their job, and build us infrastructure that keeps us moving. Raising money for extra roads, rail and bridges may seem like a tax increase, but oddly enough it's actually an investment. Because if we pay a little extra tax, we can finally make all that money that we are wasting standing still in a traffic jam, or taking those horrible scenic routes all over the place except where you need to go in a bus. I can honestly say that everywhere in the US, the infrastructure is crumbling and falling apart, due to underfunding. Yes, London has a downtown tax, and it reduced congestion. But London also made sure there were alternative ways of getting downtown. They've put massive amounts of money in the tube system (and hiked the price considerately). But it worked. The newer tube stations are beautiful, clean and on time. I don't see that happening in New York or Washington to be honest. In DC for instance, Metro is growing in passengers, but the local governments decided to give Metro less money. On top of that, Bush decided to veto the Bill with Federal Funding for an 20-year overdue extension of the system. I guess if you're used to Marine One, you forget how normal people travel. It's insane neglect on every level of government. Penny-wise, dollar foolish. It’s interesting to see that politicians are more interested in not raising taxes, than to do their job, and build us infrastructure that keeps us moving. Raising money for extra roads, rail and bridges may seem like a tax increase, but oddly enough it’s actually an investment. Because if we pay a little extra tax, we can finally make all that money that we are wasting standing still in a traffic jam, or taking those horrible scenic routes all over the place except where you need to go in a bus.

I can honestly say that everywhere in the US, the infrastructure is crumbling and falling apart, due to underfunding. Yes, London has a downtown tax, and it reduced congestion. But London also made sure there were alternative ways of getting downtown. They’ve put massive amounts of money in the tube system (and hiked the price considerately). But it worked. The newer tube stations are beautiful, clean and on time. I don’t see that happening in New York or Washington to be honest. In DC for instance, Metro is growing in passengers, but the local governments decided to give Metro less money. On top of that, Bush decided to veto the Bill with Federal Funding for an 20-year overdue extension of the system. I guess if you’re used to Marine One, you forget how normal people travel.

It’s insane neglect on every level of government. Penny-wise, dollar foolish.

]]> By: Steve Carr http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/gridlock-alert-5-cities-with-the-worst-traffic/comment-page-1/#comment-6632 Steve Carr Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:26:53 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/gridlock-alert-5-cities-with-the-worst-traffic/#comment-6632 I find it stagerring that Americans fail to see the simple way to dramatically reduce congestion, improve the environment and save energy.... And the magic bullet is.... Double the price of gas! This huge increase would still leave gas prices lower than the average in Europe, but would ensure that drivers insist that car makers improve engine performance, would lead to far more car-pooling, reduce commute times and pollution. The extra income could / should be used exclusively on public transport and infrastructure improvements. The question is does any politician have the guts to propose this? Me thinks not.... Shame I find it stagerring that Americans fail to see the simple way to dramatically reduce congestion, improve the environment and save energy…. And the magic bullet is…. Double the price of gas! This huge increase would still leave gas prices lower than the average in Europe, but would ensure that drivers insist that car makers improve engine performance, would lead to far more car-pooling, reduce commute times and pollution. The extra income could / should be used exclusively on public transport and infrastructure improvements. The question is does any politician have the guts to propose this? Me thinks not…. Shame

]]> By: Stephen D http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/gridlock-alert-5-cities-with-the-worst-traffic/comment-page-1/#comment-6628 Stephen D Tue, 27 Nov 2007 11:56:38 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/gridlock-alert-5-cities-with-the-worst-traffic/#comment-6628 Chris, Congestion pricing sounds great on paper. Here in NYC we're talking about it. We already pay tolls to get into Manhattan (although there are a few free bridge crossings). Congestion pricing offers the not-so-great possibility that the money taken will NOT be used to improve transportation but used the way lottery money is used for "education" in that it gets added to the general till with the end result being that nothing gets better. London's price doubled in 2 years. Our bus and subways can't take the current ridership levels, but with CP those numbers will go up and if you believe "there's always room for one more on a subway car," well, I can tell you there isn't. We are concerned that CP will be shoved down our throats and that only the rich will be able to drive around Manhattan. As I in Queens (one of the 5 boros of NYC), I always have to go on a bridge or through a tunnel (or 2) to get out of here. More analysis has to be done to alleviate concerns about CP before any group will support it. Chris,
Congestion pricing sounds great on paper. Here in NYC we’re talking about it. We already pay tolls to get into Manhattan (although there are a few free bridge crossings). Congestion pricing offers the not-so-great possibility that the money taken will NOT be used to improve transportation but used the way lottery money is used for “education” in that it gets added to the general till with the end result being that nothing gets better. London’s price doubled in 2 years. Our bus and subways can’t take the current ridership levels, but with CP those numbers will go up and if you believe “there’s always room for one more on a subway car,” well, I can tell you there isn’t. We are concerned that CP will be shoved down our throats and that only the rich will be able to drive around Manhattan. As I in Queens (one of the 5 boros of NYC), I always have to go on a bridge or through a tunnel (or 2) to get out of here. More analysis has to be done to alleviate concerns about CP before any group will support it.

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