Planetizen Newswire
Keep up with essential planning news and commentary, delivered to your inbox every Monday and Thursday.
Governor Andrew Cuomo
The city’s subway system is lagging in station accessibility, but the MTA has a plan to add elevators to 70 stations.
The New York Times
The New York City MTA has changed the story, twice, about its plans for little used WiFi service on the city buses.
The City
The MTA board approved a new restructuring plan despite not hearing any words of support from the public.
Politico
New state legislation will allow the city to expand the network of cameras and step up enforcement.
Crain's New York Business
The state of New York's new Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act is described by the New York Times as one of the most ambitious climate targets by any state legislature in the world.
The New York Times
Finally, congestion pricing, as applied to city cordons, not highways, will be coming to the U.S., thanks to a budget deal approved by the New York State Legislature early Sunday morning. Tolls below 60th Street should begin by Jan. 1, 2021.
amNew York
With the New York State legislature expected to pass a tolling plan for Manhattan early next week, the Chronicle's Rachel Swan reports on the unlikelihood of a similar plan being adopted in San Francisco or any city in the Golden State.
San Francisco Chronicle
New York State Budget Director Robert Mujica penned a Sunday op-ed for the Daily News on the benefits of congestion pricing. On Tuesday, Gov. Cuomo broke the news on WNYC that he and Mayor de Blasio agreed on tolling the central business district.
New York Daily News
New York City and State offered up nearly $3 billion in incentives to lure Amazon and its 25,000 high-paying jobs to Queens only to see the tech company cancel their plans after local opposition materialized. Was their retreat too hasty?
The New York Times
The Democratic governor proposed a ban on single-use plastic bags in his state-of-the-state address on Jan. 15. Nearly two years earlier, he signed a bill that prevented New York City from charging for bags as the District of Columbia and Boston do.
The New York Times
New York City's ailing taxi industry is fighting what they call a "suicide surcharge," a new $2.50 fee they will be forced to charge riders below 95th Street in Manhattan. Eight drivers have already taken their lives as their business suffers.
The New York Times
MTA Chair Joe Lhota has resigned after 16 months on the job, announcing his departure just days after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo won reelection.
The Wall Street Journal
New York Governor Cuomo has taken heat for his neglect of New York City's subway system and for overspending on splashy projects like the Tappan Zee. His track record on the state's system of roads and highways is also now called into question.
New York Post
The deadliest transportation accident in recent years has some asking whether more can be done to regulate modified vehicles, including limos.
NPR
Not everyone thinks the governor’s expensive plan to improve access to the beleaguered airport will actually improve access.
The New York Times
Speed cameras have somehow become an even more contentious issue in New York.
Politico
The investment comes not from the state legislature but from two regulatory bodies, the Air Resources Board and the Public Utilities Commission, authorizing the expenditure of VW settlement funds and utility ratepayer funds, respectively.
San Francisco Chronicle
A writer weaves a "decade by decade" story, complete with diagrams, of how not to manage a public transit system.
CityLab
A new fee on trips made in ride-hailing and other for-hire vehicles and taxis in much of Manhattan was approved by the New York State legislature as part of the budget legislation. Plans for future tolls on cars and trucks weren't included.
Politico New York
The idea is still extremely speculative, but reports are that Governor Cuomo is pushing for legislation that would enable broad powers for the state to redevelop around Penn Station in New York City.
Politico
