Week in Review

Photo: Winner of the Municipal Art Society's "Nasty Newsrack" photo contest, by Laura Dodd. Writes the MAS: "The judges selected it not just because it depicts ugly and poorly maintained newsracks, but also because of the series of serious code violations shown. The newsracks are located in a bus-stop and less than fifteen feet from a fire hydrant - forcing the bus to discharge passengers by the hydrant, all of which is illegal."

Attack of the Livable Streets Zombies: DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan practices her mind-control technique on StreetFilms' Clarence Eckerson and Streetsblog's Aaron Naparstek Tuesday evening.

A HIKE IN THE HAND... The MTA topped headlines for most of this week. Following Assemblyman Richard Brodsky's promise of aid from Albany to prevent a transit fare (and, presumably, motorist toll) hike, he and a passel of fellow lawmakers signed off on (another?) letter asking MTA to delay an expected decision until April. But MTA chief Lee Sander resisted, saying that even if state moneys could cover the shortfall (which he doubts), there is no guarantee legislators would deliver in the first place. Sander could be forgiven his skepticism, as Brodsky himself seemed to validate that last point. Tempering his initial overtures, Brodsky said on Wednesday: "We'll try. There are no guarantees ... But working cooperatively, I believe that additional monies can be found to save the fare." Now who wouldn't stake the future of a multi-billion dollar operation depended upon by a city of millions on a pledge like that?

The Copenhagen SUV finds its way stateside

IS THERE ANYTHING BEER CAN'T DO? It was a busy week for friends and foes of congestion pricing. Early on, the MTA released a report saying it would need $767 million in capital funds that are "not provided for" in order to handle the increase in ridership expected once the plan takes effect. Unfazed, Mayor Bloomberg spokesman John Gallagher responded, "The M.T.A.'s report shows that the transit improvements that would come with the mayor’s proposed congestion pricing pilot would expand options and improve service in virtually all parts of the city." (Oh, okay.) Keep NYC Congestion Tax Free issued a report suggesting measures it described as pricing alternatives, but which Transportation Alternatives promptly ripped as "part of a specific, continuing strategy by wealthy individuals and their hired guns to confuse middle class New Yorkers about the overwhelming, virtually cost-free benefits they will receive from congestion pricing." All told, particularly in light of last night's zero-sum Bronx forum, it appears the week's most meaningful discourse on the topic might have taken place in a bar.

New York City Director of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability, Rohit Aggarwala, takes questions at the first meeting of the Traffic Congestion Mitigation Commission, Tuesday.