Website Comment Summary
Comments received for this goal address expanding the existing transit system, and how to maintain or improve the system as it currently stands. Many argue that today's subway may not be suitable for New York City in 2030, and are interested in both improving maintenance of today's system and exploring the possibility of system expansion to underserved or congested areas. Several comments express frustration with particular aspects of the subway commute, for example cleanliness, station maintenance, and inadequate connections between subway lines and among different transit options (e.g., LIRR, PATH, and MetroNorth).

As mentioned above, many comments move beyond today's transit system and suggest ways to create a new system. Comments address expanding the subway system to such destinations as La Guardia airport, under-served portions of the outer boroughs, or high-density residential areas. Others suggest the construction of an express bus network, tramways, or light rail. Finally, others believe that additional funding must be devoted to constructing and repairing bridges, tunnels, and highways, and developing improved materials for highway construction and maintenance.

Despite a general focus on new construction, comments seem to suggest that cleanliness, station aesthetics, and rodent control are the greatest maintenance deficiencies within today's subway systems. Many encourage providing subway arrival information and improving on-time performance through improved signals and by running shorter, more frequent trains. Other suggestions include better-maintained elevators and escalators, noise reduction, and improved station ventilation.

Comments describe a general acknowledgement that a full "state of good repair" will require tremendous resource commitments in the decades to come. Though some were skeptical that such dedicated funding could be found, others provide cogent policy suggestions for obtaining maintenance funds. These include diverting funding from congestion pricing, imposing time-varying tolls and subway fares, increasing the city's share of state and federal transit funds, and leasing air rights over subways and roads for additional funding.

Town Hall Comment Summary
Lessen Road Damage by Reducing Traffic
Many participants provided suggestions for lessening road damage by reducing traffic. The greatest emphasis related to stimulating more mass transit use by improving availability throughout all boroughs, overall riding experience (e.g., "modernize the subway," "make the subways rat-free"), and accessibility (particularly for senior and disabled access). Another area of emphasis was on disincentivizing and reducing truck traffic, with ideas such as moving more freight by rail or water and enforcing truck weight rules.

Other common remarks included: encourage biking and walking, implement financial disincentives to driving (through higher tolls, commuter tax and congestion pricing), increase cost and inconvenience of parking, and make certain streets or NYC as a whole "car free." Individuals suggested disincentivizing "big box retail stores" and promoting "better jobs/housing balance throughout the city."

Increase Funding, Improve Maintenance
Participants stressed the need to "stop deferring maintenance" and to "reinforce existing infrastructure before building more." They offered ideas for specific repairs needed, such as cobblestone streets in historic areas, potholes, bridges, catch basins and drainage issues. Specific suggestions for funding maintenance and repairs included: congestion pricing, MTA surpluses, "look at sponsorship," dedicated tolls, "tax credits or bounties for potholes filled," and "get Federal and State governments to pay their fair share."

Improve Policies and Public Agency Administration
Several comments offered a variety of policy and administrative suggestions to achieve a state of good repair. Shared ideas included: enforce truck traffic and weight rules, make contractors accountable for their work, and reduce traffic speeds through improved traffic light timing and operations. Individual suggestions for improved administration included: "stop using bonds for operating funds," "reinforce tax collection mechanisms to prevent cheating," "coordinate road construction with DOT to minimize traffic disruptions," "have local small businesses work on small road projects," and "better inspection via surveillance cameras."

Miscellaneous individual remarks included: "plan for pedestrians," "put signage in landmarked neighborhoods," "improve bus scheduling to airports," "create a 'teaching fellows' program for environmental engineers," and "create pervious pavement surfaces."

Community Leader Comment Summary
Lessen Road Damage by Reducing Traffic
There was an emphasis on lessening the damage caused by trucks. Individual suggestions included: enforce truck routes and weight rules, divert freight to rail or marine transport, and "no through truck traffic." Suggestions were also made to reduce car traffic by improving mass transit options.

Increase Funding, Improve Maintenance
Community leaders stressed the need for greater investment in preventative maintenance, more cost-effective repairs, "extended maintenance years on all city capital project contracts," more long-lasting construction methods, and a specific need to find alternatives to road salting. Funding ideas for repair and infrastructure included: increase the gas tax, implement congestion pricing, advocate for state/federal money, and establish a "city infrastructure" fee ("i.e. an impact fee") to be paid by developers.

Improve City Agency Performance and Coordination
A variety of comments addressed the need to improve agency performance, from "complete overhaul of NYCTA" to "get NYC to control the MTA." A few groups called for more inter-agency communication to lessen street disruption during repairs or maintenance. Innovative individual suggestions included: "initiate a 'Marshall Plan' for transportation," "increase 'contract for performance' style management," and "give community boards greater impact."