MTA

New York City transportation is provided by a state chartered agency called the Metropolitan Transportation Agency. This agency is responsible for the subways, buses, commuter transport and toll bridges and tunnels. In my working years I was involved with several projects with this agency, working directly with their staff. I can honestly and without fear say that they are dictatorial, and to a certain extent crooked. Crooked because they do not work honestly. They have their pet contractors, and it is not easy to break into their ranks. 

Now, this agency is planning to introduce congestion pricing, starting this spring in Manhattan. This is being planned to ease the terrible traffic conditions that currently exist in the city. Driving into Manhattan on a weekday is worse than torture. Traffic jams, crazy drivers, lack of parking make driving in a pain in the you know where. Lately we only drive in when there is a doctor's appointment. I do have a handicapped parking permit but even with that it is not very easy to find parking space. At least we do not have to use garage parking as before.

Now, the congestion pricing supposed to charge cars $15 to enter Manhattan below 60th street. Their hope is that this will reduce traffic, air pollution and increase the use of public transports. They are dreaming. This will never work.

MTA is hoping to pocket $1 billion a year that they plan to use for transit improvements. Never, never, never. This is a disorganized agency. The money will disappear in their bowels. It will be misappropriated and there will be no improvements, it will be stolen.

People who want to drive in will drive in regardless of the tolls. Truck deliveries will cost more, small businesses like restaurants will suffer for loss of costumers and generally prices will go up in those areas. But their Board is not concerned about any of that, they are adamant to go ahead with this plan. If it does it will be the first in the country and I guess they want to make history.

I for one can live very happily without going into Manhattan. Worked there for over 40 years and that was enough for me. In these days I only go there when I have a doctor's appointment or if we go to the synagogue (rarely), or theater (also rarely). Otherwise, everything else can be found out here where we live.

Since I have plenty of time I just sit and wait to see how this thing will work itself out. There will as always be unhappy people and there will be one who support it. Interestingly, the Palestine thing can create more uproar than the fact that people will not be able to drive into Manhattan! Why there are no demonstrations for this thing? Pro and con!