theroleofpublictransportationinnewyorkcityseffortto.docVIP

The role of public transportation in New York City’s effort to reduce emissions 30 percent by 2030 will be crucial. However, increasing the fuel efficiency and decreasing the emissions of existing mass transportation, and of the extensions that are currently planned, will only have a minor impact on the total emissions produced by transportation in New York City. Indeed, if understood in terms of emissions per passenger mile, New York City’s subway system is as efficient a mode of transportation as we can expect to find, given the current state of technology. Because the subway emits a relatively low level of GHGs, programs to reduce subway emissions would yield less substantial results than programs focused on the biggest emitter, private vehicles. In the case of New York’s buses and taxis, a transition to more environmentally-conscious vehicles is planned, and it will make a difference. Yet, again, a 30 percent reduction in the emissions of buses and taxis will only be a moderate contribution to the emissions reduction the city needs. In order for the total emissions produced by transportation in the city to truly be reduced by 30 percent, New Yorkers citywide will need to be coaxed out of their cars and onto public transportation. Accordingly, this section will focus on increasing mass transit ridership, and decreasing the city’s reliance on cars. Significantly decreasing the use of cars in New York City is our best hope of meeting our goals. This section will outline some plans the city has already made to improve public transportation citywide, and make recommendations for further expansions and upgrades. The congestion charge proposed by Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC will be another area of focus, as it is only through a combination of improved public transport options and active discouragement of private vehicle use that the proposed reduction in emissions may be achieved. Furthermore, in order for New Yorkers to consider a congestion charge viable, public transp