DSCToronto
Superstar
He has not!
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- Thread starter DSCToronto
- Start date
DSCToronto
Superstar
WTF, does Trump think he's Doug Ford now??? SEE: https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/19/business/trump-kills-congestion-pricing-nyc/index.html
CNN —
The Trump administration is moving ahead with its plan to kill New York City’s congestion pricing – a controversial program designed to help raise millions in critical infrastructure funding.
In a letter to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the Department of Transportation would rescind the agreement effectively ending the tolling structure which went into effect early this year.
“New York State’s congestion pricing plan is a slap in the face to working class Americans and small business owners,” Duffy wrote in his letter. “Every American should be able to access New York City regardless of their economic means. It shouldn’t be reserved for an elite few.”
CNN —
The Trump administration is moving ahead with its plan to kill New York City’s congestion pricing – a controversial program designed to help raise millions in critical infrastructure funding.
In a letter to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the Department of Transportation would rescind the agreement effectively ending the tolling structure which went into effect early this year.
“New York State’s congestion pricing plan is a slap in the face to working class Americans and small business owners,” Duffy wrote in his letter. “Every American should be able to access New York City regardless of their economic means. It shouldn’t be reserved for an elite few.”
Richard White
Senior Member
I am waiting for him to tell London, UK that they have to axe their congestion charge because Americans visiting may be forced to pay it.
evandyk
Senior Member
Cause it's poor people driving their cars into lower Manhattan, and not an elite few. The congestion charge is paid by elites and businesses, not working class Americans.
It's true that there are small business owners who have to use their car in the congestion zone and pay the charge. Most likely most of them value the time they save not sitting in traffic over the (up to) $9 fee.
guavadelic
Active Member
it's actually proved to be pretty popular once drivers saw how much time they saved. Trump was probably lobbied about it during the campaign but likely hasn't noticed public opinion switch once the pricing came into effect.
Then again he probably doesn't care and doesn't want to waste a chance to screw over NYC.
Even Doug wouldn't go this far. This is a post from the official White House FB page.
DSCToronto
Superstar
No doubt this will inspire him!
guavadelic
Active Member
My goodness. The U.S. is being run by online sh*tposters.
PL1
Senior Member
As a friend of mine posted on FB, the US fought a war of independence to not be beholden to a king, and now they seemingly are ok with one (yes, many didn't vote for him, but he's still acting like he is the government)
Edit to add the "on FB" that disappeared
txlseries4
Active Member
What has people's experience been with sidewalk clearing/plowing in their areas?
I live on a collector road in the west end and the last time sidewalk plows cleared the way was Feb 13, the Thurs before the weekend storm, and the sidewalks are in horrendous condition, and no intersection along the road is cleared for pedestrians. I'm on the young side, able bodied, and wore hefty winter boots today and even I found it challenging.
I've noticed from checking PlowTO that streets in my vicinity show a sidewalk plow has been down them, but seeing the streets in person tells a different story, one where clearly the sidewalk plow just went down the middle of the road and not once touched a sidewalk... I know it was a major event and all the complicating factors, but I finally emailed my councillor today in hopes they can get something expedited. I read in an interview with Councillor Matlow in Toronto Life about snow removal that the current contract runs until 2029. Brutal :/
I live on a collector road in the west end and the last time sidewalk plows cleared the way was Feb 13, the Thurs before the weekend storm, and the sidewalks are in horrendous condition, and no intersection along the road is cleared for pedestrians. I'm on the young side, able bodied, and wore hefty winter boots today and even I found it challenging.
I've noticed from checking PlowTO that streets in my vicinity show a sidewalk plow has been down them, but seeing the streets in person tells a different story, one where clearly the sidewalk plow just went down the middle of the road and not once touched a sidewalk... I know it was a major event and all the complicating factors, but I finally emailed my councillor today in hopes they can get something expedited. I read in an interview with Councillor Matlow in Toronto Life about snow removal that the current contract runs until 2029. Brutal :/
DSCToronto
Superstar
Though I agree that plowing has not been perfect, now that the City has taken (at last) responsibility for all sidewalks it really is MUCH better than in the days each property owner was responsible for 'their sidewalk". In St Lawrence the plowing this year was better than last but I agree that the snow-plow map is not terribly accurate and hope Toronto will move to the Montreal way of (eventually) totally plowing street by street and towing cars that are parked in the way. It is also ridiculous that the City has to be called by TTC to remove cars blocking transit. These cars should be towed and fined 'automatically' by roving City tow trucks.
Northern Light
Superstar
In area, also on a collector, the sidewalks have been relatively well clears, the bus stops partially, but there have been some very problematic spots, where the sidewalk plow literally missed the sidewalk at a corner and went on the road instead, so the two sidewalks intersect in a pile of mush.
I was out yesterday as well going, on one stop to the NF on Broadview......which @AlbertC dutifully shamed into proper maintenance of their entrance area. Meant to thank him for that. But I digress, the sidewalks between the station and the store were generally adequately cleared, but narrow, and if garbage bins were out.......a sideways shuffle.
Danforth near me is hit n' miss. Some bits good, some slippery/mushy.
I know someone else near Coxwell (on Danforth) took a fall on black ice.
****
As to things as they are. Generally, removal on main roads is by private contractors, but City staff are doing bike lanes, side streets, and a number of other bits as well.
City crews are doing the outright snow banks removals as well, I think.
Its definitely city equipment.
I'm told they expect near 100% clearance in about 2 1/2 more weeks.
****
On how things could be.
1) Staff are aware this has not gone as well as it should have, and that people are irritated with the response level.
2) There will be a major report coming on options to be better as soon as next year, but existing contracts are an issue, lag time on new equipment purchases, and of course, budget, both for equipment and more people on stand by for snow operations.
3) There a host of different options, it does need to be said that most years, the City does not require Montreal's level of snow removal operation, which is great btw. But its also expensive. So there is a balance to be struck.
Other options include looking at snow melt systems for strategic locations, bus stops, particularly on hills, in front of hospitals/LTC, and in high volume locations. Curbs and gutters on key roads, especially near intersections, and the like. I provided an estimate cost for that being introduced opportunistically in one thread or another..... Not cheap, but less than you might think.
A quote from a Globe article on Montreal's snow removal operations:
Why Montreal’s snow-fighting army is the envy of other Canadian cities
The city regularly receives delegations from as far away as Beijing to study its snow removal
www.theglobeandmail.com
Towered
Superstar
The snow clearing has been lacklustre in my experience, though we don’t often get this kind of volume. Facebook neighborhood groups are full of outrage on this subject.
DSCToronto
Superstar
Facebook neighbourhood groups exist to spout outrage!
evandyk
Senior Member
Even a major pedestrian route like Dufferin between the station and the mall hasn't been properly cleared. My wife hauled a grocery cart along it today and told me there were plenty of areas where the cleared area was not even as wide as the cart.