Join the rider rebellion

Buffalo car-culture is cruel

NYSTEA | New York State Transportation Equity Alliance |: "Buffalo also struggles with high poverty rates. According to US Census data over 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line. With over 30% of Buffalo’s population not having access to a car and 77% of the transit users in the city “transit dependent”, mass transit cuts and fare increases have a disproportionate effect on communities of color and low-income."

NYPTA 2011 Position Paper

NYPTA 2011 Position Paper: "Public transportation is a vital means of maximizing community mobility, which has economic and social impacts far in excess of the public investment necessary to make public transit available and affordable. Each day, millions of New Yorkers and visitors ride public transit to work, school, health care, shopping, recreation, tourist attractions and countless other destinations. Whether riding by choice or necessity, these transit customers make a huge impact on New York's communities in the form of:
Economic activity and jobs
Energy savings
Cleaner air
Reduced traffic congestion
Improved public health
Sustainable transportation
As we continue to endure this extended period of economic malaise, New York State is failing to meet public transportation's needs for capital and operating funding. This shortsighted public policy is harming customers and communities and is only prolonging the economic downturn by reducing overall mobility and making it harder for people to remain active in the economy."

Public transit fashion - you knew it was coming

NYC Subway Line

Trinidad-Tobago: Free public transport for all students

Free public transport for all students in T&T - Stabroek News - Guyana: "In the bag are free Public Transport Service Corporation (PTSC) bus travel for all students wearing uniform as well as persons over 60, the extension of the TT$1,000 monthly duty allowance (originally given only to police officers) to all members of the Protective Services and Defence Force, a minimum TT$3,000 pension for members of the Defence Force and Protective Services and a plan for a new airport located in Camden, Couva."

For those of you who have been asking, "where is the outrage?" Here is the outrage.

THE MARCH ON WALL STREET - #ONMAY12 from Rhodes Pictures on Vimeo.

Stop the insanity -- Get rid of fare-collection

The value of lost, expired or unused Metrocards over the course of a year adds up to a hefty $52 million. To encourage riders to keep better track of cards, the MTA will start charging a $1 Metrocard replacement fee later this year.


The program is expected to net $20 million from both the fee and the diminished costs associated with having fewer Metrocards -- to print, program, recycle and clean up -- in circulation. The MTA also hopes the surcharge will lower the 15 cents is spends on fare collection for every $1 taken in.

Read more at WYNC

Fake conservative caught riding on "collectivist" Amtrak

A commenter wonders about individualism and the private auto:

Diminished Individualism Watch - NYTimes.com: "How does a daily commute by car make one more of an individual? I like to drive, both for the thrill and the sights and I like to exercise my power to individuate myself, but a daily commute by car is neither enjoyable nor individuating. Get in line, watch my speed, watch my following distance; if I made my exit without being aware of it, I've done it right, properly following the bigger herd until my little herd is shunted off to my pod-cubicle in my double-speak infested capitalist wunderland.It's like a jobs program of pointless activity used to sell me a Morning Zoo, ever-burgeoning crush zones, and 300 horsepower to let me occasionally zip 6 places farther ahead to defend my individuality. I'm living the dream, I guess." (Andrew, Portland, OR)

What do we mean by "fake conservative?" True conservatives (not in the spotlight) honestly believe that government should not subsidize for-profit enterprise. Fake conservatives (in the news all the time) believe that corporate welfare is just fine, and social security needs to be "drowned in the bathtub."

A global energy war looms – Telegraph Blogs

A global energy war looms – Telegraph Blogs: "The most common cause of energy price shocks is supply disruption. It’s the fear of just such a disruption, with turmoil in the Middle East, which is driving the oil price right now. But in future it’s much more likely to be the pressure of demand on limited supply. Nevermind developments in North Africa and elsewhere in the region. That’s a mere bagatelle compared with what may be coming. These demand tensions could create much wider geo-political instability, with potentially catastrophic inter-continental consequences."

How much more can you take?

Streetsblog New York City » The Weekly Carnage: "The Weekly Carnage is a Friday round-up of motor vehicle violence across the five boroughs and beyond. For more on the origins and purpose of this column, please read About the Weekly Carnage."