Sunday, July 8, 2007

HIJACKING ASTHMA (part 2)


There are few in the Partnership for New York City who ride the subway. For those that have, it is a distant memory obscured by chauffeur driven cars and taxi expense accounts. Therefore, it is simple to dismiss the plight of working class people who ride those trains. The trains are crowded and stuffy. In many instances, workers live in a two fare zone and it is cheaper to car pool than pay the expense. One has a seat and the companionship of the familiar. And although they arrive in Manhattan in a dented Chevy, they arrive unstressed.

The alleged pollution caused by their vehicle is no more pervasive than that from alternative transportation such as the ferry boats from New Jersey and Staten Island. Congestion comes in many forms. While the chauffeured members of the Partnership for New York City complain about being late for their luncheons from the back seat, they need only to look out the window for the answer. Taxi cabs that stop in mid traffic to pick up a fare. Delivery trucks that double park and pedestrians that cross at green lights instead of red. The laws to enforce these violations are on the books but not enforced. It is easier to blame it on the average motorist.

Some of these privileged policy makers actually stand to benefit from congestion pricing. Bruce Ratner of Forest Ratner is a member of the Partnership. Ratner's Atlantic Yards project sits above the Atlantic-Pacific street subway station. the largest train station in Brooklyn and the 3rd largest transit hub in New York City serving 11 different subway lines. His Brooklyn development will increase the population by approximately 15,000. The subway will expand and Ratner's property bought from the MTA at a bargain price will soar in value.

And there is Tischman Construction which also is a member of the group pushing congestion pricing. Tischman is the lucky recipient of a contract for construction manager of the new Whitehall Ferry terminal in downtown Manhattan. If congestion pricing becomes law, more people will be riding the ferries and more ferry facilities will be built.

Now with all of this news, someone has to handle the public relations. Howard Rubenstein and Associates, members of the partnership, "assist" with the publicity of advocating congestion pricing. Just connect the dots folks......just connect the dots.

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