2mo ago

Zohran Mamdani, in the New York City mayoral debate: "Free buses would cost $700M. Cuomo gave more—$959M—to Elon Musk for a failed Tesla factory."

2mo ago

20 comments

If we taxed the rich 1% of their assets, I swear all social services would be fully covered
I hate these 'free transit' comparsions. New York can't afford to complete second ave subway and many other extentions and service upgrades. Finishing those upgrades would do far more than free transit. Sure there need to be programs for the poor, but the vast majority of riders are not poor and don't need fare savings near as much as more service. Even the poor: many live in places with poor transit service and would be helped more if New York spent money on service - they could save a lot paying full fare and getting rid of the car if only the service was good enough.
the above in New York which has good for US service, other cities even more so.
- I hate these “we can’t afford to do things for the public good” statements…
  If public transportation were prioritized it could afford to do it.
  
  Better services means nothing of people can't figure out how to get there.
  Open the buses, then better services
  
  There are always more things doing than there is time or money - the two are independant limits though related. We need to prioritize.
- Look at it this way. How much does it cost to maintain the OMNY and MetroCard systems, to maintain the turnstile infrastructure, and to maintain staff to prevent people from skipping payment?
  From a quick search it seems the OMNY system cost $772 million to create and $15.5 million a year to maintain.
  Stats say that 82% of those ticketed for fare evasion and 92% of those arrested were people of color. There's a social cost to that, but I couldn't begin putting a number to it.
  
  Those system generate far more money than they cost. (Though personally I'd recomend randon fare inspections with fines large enough to make it not worth riisking.
  i have to idea what the stats mean - but it doesn't matter. Fix crime and get the poor help - both are important. Those of color who can afford should pay those who can't should get help.

20 comments