Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
NACTO

NACTO 2012: Leading City DOT Commissioners Talk Transportation Politics

"To me, the single most fascinating element of politics is the alchemy by which something becomes an issue," said Chris Hayes, MSNBC host and moderator of the commissioners' panel on the politics of transportation at the October NACTO Designing Cities conference.

The panel, captured in its entirety by Streetfilms, featured NYC DOT's Janette Sadik-Khan, Chicago DOT chief Gabe Klein, San Francisco MTA director Ed Reiskin, Boston transportation commissioner Tom Tinlin, and Philadelphia deputy mayor of transportation Rina Cutler.

To get things rolling, here's Hayes, a lifelong New Yorker and self-described bike-riding partisan:

At the most micro level, transportation is incredibly political ... But at a broader level it's completely absent from our national political conversation. And this is bizarre.

Select highlights from the 53-minute panel after the jump.

    • 09:00 - Reiskin: We need to make public transit accessible, reliable and enjoyable
    • 11:30 - Klein talks about young people and transportation's vitality to a city
    • 15:14 - Cutler: "Money matters."
    • 17:23 - Tinlin: "Mayor Menino has said, 'The car is no longer king in Boston.'"
    • 23:50 - Klein talks gas prices in Netherlands vs. U.S. and transportation infrastructure
    • 31:03 - Sadik-Khan: We need to find partners in creating public spaces in NYC
    • 33:30 - Hayes refers to cars as "speeding machines of death"
    • 36:56 - Sadik-Khan: "Two-thirds of New Yorkers get around without a car, less than half own a car."
    • 48:21 - Hayes asks the panel about public criticism from the media and advice for future commissioners

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Wednesday’s Headlines: Trip and Fall Edition

OK, so I fell on my face. Be nice. I'm old. Plus other news.

November 13, 2024

DOT Celebrates A Decade of Safety Improvements on Queens Blvd.

The former "Boulevard of Death" now has protected bike lanes running for nearly its entire length.

November 13, 2024

DOT Asks Judge to Dismiss Streetsblog’s Lawsuit over Agency’s Public Info Stall

The DOT is arguing that its slow response time before providing or not providing information is "reasonable."

November 12, 2024

Tuesday’s Headline: Six-Figure Ad Buy Edition

Congestion pricing supporters call Gov. Hochul out with a six-figure ad buy. Plus more news.

November 12, 2024

DOT: Tremont Ave. Busway to Be Installed in Spring

The 0.6-mile busway will only allow trucks and buses to use the entire stretch, while car drivers will need to leave the street at the first available turn.

November 11, 2024
See all posts