Submitted by Nix Illegal Placard abuse before a Driving Tax, Jul 15, 2007 15:52

I am disappointed in Spitzer, I voted for him and, because he approves this driving tax, I now regret it.

I share the same idea, that if illegal placard abuse goes away, then congestion pricing becomes a moot point.

How so?:

1. Under Bloomberg's (un)watchful eye, NYC has already lost $250-million in parking meter revenue alone since 9/11 [Bruce Schaller report, 2006 - NYC loses $46-million a year due to illegal placard abuse]. The Mayor has had his eye diverted from illegal parking abuse for 6 years. Bloomberg's trying to get $500 million of Federal money when he's already cost us $250-million, go figre that one out.

2. According to Marcia Kramer's wcbstv story [6/19/2007], there are an estimated 150,000 parking placards out there. Even if this were reduced by half, through enforcement of already existing No Permit Zone laws and placard restrictions, traffic congestion and parking problems would be immensely reduced; not to mention - better air pollution conditions, and the increased revenue from greater mass transit ridership, and of course $46-million a year in regained parking meter revenue which could be used to improve our crowded mass transit.

3. Finally, of primary importance - The increased quality of life issue, with illegal placard abuse gone, is obviously priceless.

Which comes first, nixing illegal placard abuse or congestion pricing? To me it's a no-brainer.

One also needs to ask the Mayor: With congestion pricing - Will government employees using placards be exempted, or not? If placard abusers are exempted from congestion pricing, then NYC will be doubly screwed - another strong reason to take care of illegal placard abuse first.

Lifelong Downtown Manhattan Resident

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