Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Air Quality

There Are Certain Facts That We’ve All Got to Face Up To

Given that it was only a few months ago that Mayor Michael Bloomberg could be heard saying, "We like traffic, it means economic activity, it means people coming here," his pitch for a whole new set of progressive transportation policies at last week's meeting of the Regional Plan Association was all the more remarkable:

There are certain facts that we've just all got to face up to--facts about congestion's impact on our environment, our economy, our health, and our future--on our lives, and the lives of our chlidren. Facts about how we're going to pay for the transportation projects we need to keep our region from choking on its growth in the decades to come.

We're ready to have a reality-based dialogue with anyone about any element of our transportation plan, including congestion pricing. We'll talk about the boundaries of the congestion pricing zone, the fees that might be charged, the hours they would be applicable, and the methodology for administering the program.

But what we won't do--what we can't do--is postpone essential decisions any longer. We won't ignore--if you'll excuse the expression--the "inconvenient truths" of the difficult challenges we face.

Download the text here. And the speech itself can be viewed in the following three video clips courtesy of RPA:



Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Deep Dive: St. Louis Launches $300M Sea Change for Sustainable Transportation

But how did it get there — and can it sustain the momentum?

September 16, 2024

Carmageddon: Shift to Remote Work Led to Increase in Driving and Congestion…

Driving miles are higher today than they were before the pandemic, even though more Americans than ever still work from home.

September 16, 2024

…And in NYC, VMTs Had a Double-Digit Increase, Counter to Regional Goal

The Big Apple is driving itself mad, according to new stats from Streetlight Data.

September 16, 2024

Monday’s Headlines Got a Little Ol’ Convoy

Using big diesel trucks to make deliveries in cities isn't great for the environment or the streets, but there are alternatives, as outlined by Transportation for America.

September 16, 2024

Happy Tenth Anniversary to Streetsblog California

And happy 15th to Streetsblog San Francisco, too!

September 13, 2024
See all posts