Public Meeting On Move NY Fair Plan This Thursday

This Thursday, February 19 at 6pm, a coalition of neighborhood groups, merchants associations, and elected officials — including the Park Slope Civic Council, Park Slope Neighbors, and Councilmember Brad Lander — is hosting a public forum to discuss the NYC transportation infrastructure plan from policy group Move NY.

Former city traffic commissioner “Gridlock” Sam Schwartz will present the plan, which renews the call for some congestion pricing tactics, including adding a toll in each direction on East River bridges that would create a projected $1.5 billion in annual revenue, which would go toward the MTA and improvements on roads and bridges.

“New Yorkers need a transportation system that’s dependable and efficient, and the Move NY plan addresses many of the current issues the system faces in a thoughtful and forward looking way,” said Lander in a statement. “A comprehensive plan like Move NY can improve the way we all move about the city, and I look forward to hearing from our community at [the] town hall.”

“We see the same problems come up time and time again: street safety, traffic congestion, crumbling infrastructure, air quality. And always, a shortage of resources we need to address them,” said Community Board 6 chairman Gary Reilly in the statement. “The Move NY plan looks to be a smart way to finally finance the investments everyone agrees on by recognizing the value of mobility, reduced travel times, and safety for all users of the transportation system. It deserves our serious attention.”

Still, some drivers are skeptical of the plan and its potential benefits.

“Raising tolls is always said to benefit New Yorkers,” the wonderfully named Frenchy Marine, a barber who takes the Cross Bay Bridge daily, told the New York Times, “but I don’t see us getting anything back.”

The forum will take place at the 3rd Avenue YWCA, located at 30 3rd Avenue at State Street. After the presentation, attendees will break into session to discuss the plan.

For more information contact info@move-ny.org.