The answer they WANT you to find is mass transit. Which isn’t free, but it’s less expensive by far… AND it makes the city more pleasant (or is that “less awful”) when there are many fewer vehicles.
We were just in Portland OR a couple of weeks ago for medical reasons. Parking for a few hours at the clinic was more than $20 (or free if you had your ticket stamped at the desk). Overnight at the motel was $40! So far no fee to drive into town though… maybe because there are a zillion roads in and out?
Should it be free? When did ramirez become a socialist? And doesn’t he understand roads, bridges, and tunnels, and even parking lots, cost a lot of money to build and maintain, not just magically provided by government?
Special licenses are required to drive in several historic city centers in Europe. The result is that the cities quieter, safer, and much more pedestrian-friendly.
London instituted a congestion charge for the central part of the city several years ago. They recently expanded it to some of the outer suburbs. Having visited London multiple times I can attest that the LAST thing I would want to have is a car. The mass transit system is outstanding and permits people to move around the city far more quickly and cheaply. And they have made using the system easy. You can get an “Oyster Card” and load it with money at a kiosk, or just use a credit card. Tap and go to the Underground, Overground, or bus.
Again, a good illustration but, the numbers on the toll rates sign are incorrectly displayed. You see, the actual ones should resemble the old signs in gas stations where the proprietor would change the display daily to reflect the price of a gallon of gas with tiles. The sign also is a reminder to we fools who blindly use the EZ Pass lane never realizing that there has been another hike in the rate.
I grew up in NYC. I didn’t learn to drive until I was 23. Any place I wanted to go I could get to by foot, mass transit or my bicycle. I had also hitchhiked to California twice and cycled through Holland, Ireland, Scotland and England. One doesn’t need a car in the city. Most cars in Manhattan aren’t going anyplace. anyway.
So, how should we pay for infrastructure maintenance, repair, and replacement? Taxes on all? Taxes for the users? “Privatize” always seems to be the answer for this by the free marketers, but it costs even more as the private owners want a return on investment. Look up the result of Mike Pence’s brilliant plan to privatize the highways in his state – it made truckers divert onto country roads to avoid paying the absurdly high fees on the highway. I guess the question for Mr. Ramirez is “What is the point?” Costs and prices always go up over time if an economy is thriving.
So does Mikey want socialism where all the highways are FREE? A good MAGA Qanon teapot would call for a toll gate on every corner, people should pay for the services they use!
Al Fresco, the Librarian 3 months ago
And they mugged you going out. And New Yorkers moving to Florida pay double,
Concretionist 3 months ago
The answer they WANT you to find is mass transit. Which isn’t free, but it’s less expensive by far… AND it makes the city more pleasant (or is that “less awful”) when there are many fewer vehicles.
We were just in Portland OR a couple of weeks ago for medical reasons. Parking for a few hours at the clinic was more than $20 (or free if you had your ticket stamped at the desk). Overnight at the motel was $40! So far no fee to drive into town though… maybe because there are a zillion roads in and out?
BubbleTape Premium Member 3 months ago
Should it be free? When did ramirez become a socialist? And doesn’t he understand roads, bridges, and tunnels, and even parking lots, cost a lot of money to build and maintain, not just magically provided by government?
superposition 3 months ago
Some of the Q/MAGA cohort can’t tell the difference between capitalism and contrarianism … it seems.
WaitingMan 3 months ago
Ramirez seems to think that people visiting NYC will be surprised that it is expensive.
DC Swamp 3 months ago
Is the bullet proof vest included?
aristoclesplato9 3 months ago
Somebody has to cough up the money to give the illegals.
NeedaChuckle Premium Member 3 months ago
Mr. Ramirez realizes that NYC gets road maintenance free from the highway fairies!!
fusilier 3 months ago
The population of New York City is nearly 40% larger than the entire state of Indiana.
So, Mr. Ramirez, what do you suggest?
fusilier
James 2:24
The Nodding Head 3 months ago
Special licenses are required to drive in several historic city centers in Europe. The result is that the cities quieter, safer, and much more pedestrian-friendly.
Carl Premium Member 3 months ago
I see the outlines of a new “Escape from New York” movie.
My First Premium Member 3 months ago
If destroying America was an Olympic sport, Biden and the democrat party would be multiple gold medal winners.
Wonder-Wart-Hog 3 months ago
New York is becoming like Medieval cities were. Walls, guarded gates, and you had to pay your way to get in.
billopfer Premium Member 3 months ago
London instituted a congestion charge for the central part of the city several years ago. They recently expanded it to some of the outer suburbs. Having visited London multiple times I can attest that the LAST thing I would want to have is a car. The mass transit system is outstanding and permits people to move around the city far more quickly and cheaply. And they have made using the system easy. You can get an “Oyster Card” and load it with money at a kiosk, or just use a credit card. Tap and go to the Underground, Overground, or bus.
Funniguy 3 months ago
Again, a good illustration but, the numbers on the toll rates sign are incorrectly displayed. You see, the actual ones should resemble the old signs in gas stations where the proprietor would change the display daily to reflect the price of a gallon of gas with tiles. The sign also is a reminder to we fools who blindly use the EZ Pass lane never realizing that there has been another hike in the rate.
Havel 3 months ago
Shouldn’t supply and demand rules be favored by the right?
ChristopherBurns 3 months ago
I grew up in NYC. I didn’t learn to drive until I was 23. Any place I wanted to go I could get to by foot, mass transit or my bicycle. I had also hitchhiked to California twice and cycled through Holland, Ireland, Scotland and England. One doesn’t need a car in the city. Most cars in Manhattan aren’t going anyplace. anyway.
Hello Everyone 3 months ago
Is the Ferry still free in New York? I haven’t been there in a while, but I remember it was free for us walkers in 2000.
Jack7528 3 months ago
Good one!
Saurischia Premium Member 3 months ago
So, how should we pay for infrastructure maintenance, repair, and replacement? Taxes on all? Taxes for the users? “Privatize” always seems to be the answer for this by the free marketers, but it costs even more as the private owners want a return on investment. Look up the result of Mike Pence’s brilliant plan to privatize the highways in his state – it made truckers divert onto country roads to avoid paying the absurdly high fees on the highway. I guess the question for Mr. Ramirez is “What is the point?” Costs and prices always go up over time if an economy is thriving.
Zykoic 3 months ago
Do illegal immigrates, sorry, undocumented voters have to pay as well?
MC4802 Premium Member 3 months ago
So does Mikey want socialism where all the highways are FREE? A good MAGA Qanon teapot would call for a toll gate on every corner, people should pay for the services they use!
Li'l Dale 3 months ago
Nobody has a gun to your head forcing you to DRIVE into Manhattan!
tpcox928 3 months ago
MAGA: Can’t live with them, can’t kill them.
Dapperdan61 Premium Member 3 months ago
Sheeesh take a bus or train people
AtomicForce91 Premium Member 3 months ago
It is either that or taxes.