3 ms·

I've sad it once and I'll say it again: we need to stop subsidizing cars and drivers as a matter of public policy. In places like NYC we need to go further and

by cletus 9y ago

I've sad it once and I'll say it again: we need to stop subsidizing cars and drivers as a matter of public policy. In places like NYC we need to go further and punitively tax the ownership and operation of private cars. Every time this issue comes up, someone will pipe up that gas taxes pay for the roads. Bzzzzt, wrong [1]. Want to see how far this could (and IMHO should) go? Take a look at Singapore [2]. While we're at it, let's: - eliminate street parking on the avenues and other major roads (eg 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, 57th, 59th, etc streets) in Manhattan; - eliminate half the street parking in the other streets - stop using the remaining parking as long-term parking. Want long-term parking in Manhattan? Put it in a garage. As for Cuomo, he's a disaster for NYC. Then again, probably every NY Governor is and will be because they're beholden to all the upstate voters who live in SFHs, which also explains why apartment dwellers are taxed punitively by the state (except if you're a billionaire) [3] [4]. Another point worth considering is this: why do we charge anything for using the subway? It unfairly hurts low-income workers. This should be completely covered by NYC income taxes and taxes on car ownership in Manhattan in particular. [1] https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/10/driving-true-costs/412237/?utm_source=atlfb https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/10/driving... [2] https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltaweb/en/roads-and-motoring/owning-a-vehicle/costs-of-owning-a-vehicle/tax-structure-for-cars.html https://www.lta.gov.sg/content/ltaweb/en/roads-and-motoring/... [3] http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20170519/BLOGS01/170519866/numbers-reveal-how-bad-nycs-property-taxes-are http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20170519/BLOGS01/170519... [4] https://citylimits.org/2015/06/10/why-effort-to-reform-nyc-property-taxes-has-stalled/ https://citylimits.org/2015/06/10/why-effort-to-reform-nyc-p...

leetcrew 9y ago
> Another point worth considering is this: why do we charge anything for using the subway? It unfairly hurts low-income workers. i don't disagree with your larger point about the benefits of incentivising alternative forms of transportation, but im not sure i can agree that it is "unfair" to charge low income workers literally any amount of money to ride the subway. when you look at the operating expenses vs. fare revenue for the subway, its already subsidized by the city and state at something like 50%. the fact that you can ride on the subway for the current price already represents a substantial transfer from wealthier citizens who pay more taxes. i think there is certainly room for debate as to what exactly the price should be, and there may be other compelling reasons why it benefits everyone to make it free; i just find it absurd to argue that making such an expensive service anything other than free is unfair.

by cletus 9y ago

leetcrew 9y ago

> Another point worth considering is this: why do we charge anything for using the subway? It unfairly hurts low-income workers. i don't disagree with your larger point about the benefits of incentivising alternative forms of transportation, but im not sure i can agree that it is "unfair" to charge low income workers literally any amount of money to ride the subway. when you look at the operating expenses vs. fare revenue for the subway, its already subsidized by the city and state at something like 50%. the fact that you can ride on the subway for the current price already represents a substantial transfer from wealthier citizens who pay more taxes. i think there is certainly room for debate as to what exactly the price should be, and there may be other compelling reasons why it benefits everyone to make it free; i just find it absurd to argue that making such an expensive service anything other than free is unfair.