MTA considering charging $1 "Green Fee"

[CountDeMoney]

Is this what is going to happen every time I call you out on something?

Probably, yeah.

[garbon]

Is this what is going to happen every time I call you out on something?

Probably, yeah.

Lame.

[CountDeMoney]

Lame.

What's lame is insisting on using rechargeable plastic metrocards anyway;  DC's Metro uses rechargeable paper passes.  So, they're reusable AND biodegradable.  Makes more sense.

And besides, arguable "green" initiative aside, who better to pay for the "MTA launching 5 bus routes, adding commuter rail runs and boosting other service in $29.5 million plan" than the users themselves, instead of taxpayers like Berkut, who doesn't use it at all?  That's so much more libertarian, no?

[Neil]

What's lame is insisting on using rechargeable plastic metrocards anyway

Nothing.  That's the most sensible solution, and so there's nothing wrong with financially punishing people who don't want to go along with it.

[garbon]

What's lame is insisting on using rechargeable plastic metrocards anyway;  DC's Metro uses rechargeable paper passes.  So, they're reusable AND biodegradable.  Makes more sense.

Paper cards are much more susceptible to wear and tear so it seems like they'd be much more susceptible to creating additional clutter than plastic.

And besides, arguable "green" initiative aside, who better to pay for the "MTA launching 5 bus routes, adding commuter rail runs and boosting other service in $29.5 million plan" than the users themselves, instead of taxpayers like Berkut, who doesn't use it at all?  That's so much more libertarian, no?

The users do pay. The MTA hikes up its fares like every few seconds. That's what is so grating about this green initiative as it looks simply like an end-run around the typical ever-present fare hikes.

[garbon]

there's nothing wrong with financially punishing people who don't want to go along with it.

Tourists don't really have a chance of "going along with it" as they probably aren't keep cards to bring with them on their next trip.

[CountDeMoney]

Paper cards are much more susceptible to wear and tear so it seems like they'd be much more susceptible to creating additional clutter than plastic.

Biodegradable clutter is better than non-biodegradable clutter.  Hell, even Baltimore's pseudo-subway's weekly and monthly passes are still paper.

The users do pay. The MTA hikes up its fares like every few seconds. That's what is so grating about this green initiative as it looks simply like an end-run around the typical ever-present fare hikes.

Price to pay for maintaining necessary infrastructure.

[CountDeMoney]

there's nothing wrong with financially punishing people who don't want to go along with it.

Tourists don't really have a chance of "going along with it" as they probably aren't keep cards to bring with them on their next trip.

They're too busy getting raped by the cabbies by substantially more than $1, anyway.

[garbon]

Biodegradable clutter is better than non-biodegradable clutter.  Hell, even Baltimore's pseudo-subway's weekly and monthly passes are still paper.

I don't know there is some intersection between the more limited non-biodegradable vs more biodegradable clutter where it no longer make sense to opt for the latter.

Price to pay for maintaining necessary infrastructure.

Price to pay for maintaining a unionized workforce.  Hidden fees repackaged as a green initiative is a see-through PR attempt.  I will happily note though that the MTA is taking the union to task over pay increases.

[garbon]

They're too busy getting raped by the cabbies by substantially more than $1, anyway.

Cabs aren't bad. For about 8 bucks (without tip), I can get from 42nd to Houston on the westside during non-rush hour times. That's more than the $3.25 one is looking at with this new initiative...but has the added perks of being much quicker and one doesn't have to spend time in the furnace-like subway stations.

[derspiess]

I'm almost glad the Cincinnati subway was never completed.  It'd be cool and all, but they'd probably try to do some similar "green fee" bullshit.

Oh well, at least we have an expensive streetcar project that will probably fall way short of expectations.

[Neil]

Cabs aren't bad. For about 8 bucks (without tip), I can get from 42nd to Houston on the westside during non-rush hour times. That's more than the $3.25 one is looking at with this new initiative...but has the added perks of being much quicker and one doesn't have to spend time in the furnace-like subway stations.

New York doesn't have AC in the subway?

[CountDeMoney]

Cabs aren't bad. For about 8 bucks (without tip), I can get from 42nd to Houston on the westside during non-rush hour times. That's more than the $3.25 one is looking at with this new initiative...but has the added perks of being much quicker and one doesn't have to spend time in the furnace-like subway stations.

You don't look like you have a "HELLO MY NAME IS FROM OUT OF TOWN" on you.  The cabbies know who their marks are.

[DGuller]

I'm almost glad the Cincinnati subway was never completed.  It'd be cool and all, but they'd probably try to do some similar "green fee" bullshit.

Oh well, at least we have an expensive streetcar project that will probably fall way short of expectations.

Yes, the presence of "green fees" is a deciding factor in questions like this.

[garbon]

Cabs aren't bad. For about 8 bucks (without tip), I can get from 42nd to Houston on the westside during non-rush hour times. That's more than the $3.25 one is looking at with this new initiative...but has the added perks of being much quicker and one doesn't have to spend time in the furnace-like subway stations.

New York doesn't have AC in the subway?

In trains - yes, stations - no.