More cars than ever.
More buses than ever. Isn't that good? It might be if they didn't have a greater percentage of empty seats than ever. Oh, and if the buses weren't driving more and more on congested streets in downtown White Plains.
2-3 lanes of traffic turning simultaneously on five lane roads AND immediately crossing diagonally parallel to the crosswalk unable to see pedestrians.
About three years ago the mayor repeatedly criticised the urban planning of half a century ago, which included creating the many 4-5 lane one way streets in downtown White Plains. But not a single change has been made.
Now 5,000 new apartments are being added in downtown White Plains with more parking spaces than the number of apartments. What the heck?
Opinion nytimes.com
The Pedestrian Strikes Back Dec. 15, 2018
Officials in several countries are getting the message: Cities are about people, not cars.
By Richard Conniff
Contributing Opinion Writer
Many American cities still rely on “level of service” (LOS) design models developed in the 1960s that focus single-mindedly on keeping vehicle traffic moving, according to Elizabeth Macdonald, an urban design specialist at the University of California, Berkeley. “Hence improvements for other modes (walking, cycling, transit) that might increase vehicle delay are characterized as LOS. impediments,” she and her co-authors write in The Journal of Urban Design. The idea of pedestrians as “impediments” is of course perverse, especially given the word’s original meaning: An impediment was something that functioned as a shackle for the feet — unlimited vehicle traffic, say.
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Congestion Pricing in Manhattan, First Such Plan in U.S., Is Close to Approval nytimes.com March 25, 2019
By Jesse McKinley and Winnie Hu
ALBANY — After years of hesitation, New York is poised to become the first city in the United States to introduce congestion pricing, which would put new electronic tolls in place for drivers entering the busiest stretches of Manhattan...
Other American cities are exploring variations of congestion pricing, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.
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White Plains needs a Pedestrian Commissioner. Sunday, June 13, 2010
It's obvious that neither the Traffic nor Public Safety Commissioners give a damn how pedestrian hostile White Plains becomes, so how about a Pedestrian Commissioner, someone who represents the interests of pedestrians? ...
The Traffic Commissioner has established non-intuitive rules such as cars being allowed to turn from other than the immediate lane ...
... the Public Safety Commissioner does not enforce the laws and ... neither the mayor nor the common council members do anything to make WP less pedestrian hostile.
______________________________________
White Plains Common Council members for the last half century live in houses outside downtown White Plains almost exclusively. They are elected at large, not by geographic district. They represent the people who live on their street. Those people are interested in one thing: being able to drive from their house into downtown White Plains in ten minutes. That's it. Anything else is superfluous.
Oh, and having their taxes subsidized by people living in apartments who send proportionately few children to the public schools. And being subsidized by businesses whose employees drive through downtown White Plains by the thousands, not to shop, but simply to escape and go home.
Downtown White Plains is pedestrian hostile in the extreme and getting worse by the day. If White Plains Common Council members ever walked around, they might know that.
http://white-plains-ny.blogspot.com/search/label/Pedestrians
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Monday, March 4, 2019
Same as last year: Galleria parking garage sidewalk not cleared of snow.
The same violators year after year. See the businesses on Martine Avenue adjacent to the recently defunct Tighe's Tavern, established 1935.
Galleria parking garage sidewalk not cleared of snow. Wednesday, February 7, 2018
And it's right across the street from the Public Safety building. Some workers in that building park in the Galleria parking garage and then jaywalk across Martine Avenue into their office. They must see that snow was ignored on the Galleria parking garage sidewalk well after the snow had been cleared from the sidewalks of the municipal buildings along Martine across the street. And the Public Safety building has windows.
Photos taken at 11:40 AM, Wednesday, February 7, 2018:
(Click link above to view photos taken last year.)
Notice in the second photo that the snow was cleared half way down the block on South Lexington but snow was left on the sidewalk adjacent to the Galleria parking garage. It couldn't be more obvious that whatever entity is responsible for snow removal of the Galleria parking garage sidewalk is negligent. But enforcement people directly across the street are oblivious.
You would think that whoever cleared the snow from the Galleria retail sidewalk along Main Street might be responsible enough to continue and do it along Martine Avenue. But no common sense there either.
Saturday, December 16, 2017
Snow removal: does the city ever enforce sidewalk clearing without complaints?
Apparently not. White Plains is a one horse town. Always was. Always will be.
_________________________________
Galleria parking garage sidewalk not cleared of snow. Wednesday, February 7, 2018
And it's right across the street from the Public Safety building. Some workers in that building park in the Galleria parking garage and then jaywalk across Martine Avenue into their office. They must see that snow was ignored on the Galleria parking garage sidewalk well after the snow had been cleared from the sidewalks of the municipal buildings along Martine across the street. And the Public Safety building has windows.
Photos taken at 11:40 AM, Wednesday, February 7, 2018:
(Click link above to view photos taken last year.)
Notice in the second photo that the snow was cleared half way down the block on South Lexington but snow was left on the sidewalk adjacent to the Galleria parking garage. It couldn't be more obvious that whatever entity is responsible for snow removal of the Galleria parking garage sidewalk is negligent. But enforcement people directly across the street are oblivious.
You would think that whoever cleared the snow from the Galleria retail sidewalk along Main Street might be responsible enough to continue and do it along Martine Avenue. But no common sense there either.
Saturday, December 16, 2017
Snow removal: does the city ever enforce sidewalk clearing without complaints?
Apparently not. White Plains is a one horse town. Always was. Always will be.
_________________________________
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Hudson Link buses now drive on Main, Hamilton and Martine, almost always empty.
White Plains decision makers must be beyond shame and embarrassment. What the heck can they even pretend is the benefit to White Plains?
The county executive and county legislators have been doing this for years about their ridiculous Bee-Line bus system that pretty much all of them and their primary constituents avoid like the plague. The county website claims 30 million passengers per year for its $115 million spent per year. Name them. Has any county legislator ever looked into the efficiency of this bus system? Any county executive? Any local media? Ever?
Then there's the regional buses, also with almost no passengers.
One thing these huge buses and private cars have in common: hardly any passengers. What an incredible waste of resources.
How many people pay $30,000 for a personal car only to leave it parked at the train station for ten hours a day, five days a week. And that's probably less wasteful that the various buses. And supporting this are government funds for road maintenance and the ugly and ubiquitous parking garages, which can never have enough spaces.
The county executive and county legislators have been doing this for years about their ridiculous Bee-Line bus system that pretty much all of them and their primary constituents avoid like the plague. The county website claims 30 million passengers per year for its $115 million spent per year. Name them. Has any county legislator ever looked into the efficiency of this bus system? Any county executive? Any local media? Ever?
Then there's the regional buses, also with almost no passengers.
One thing these huge buses and private cars have in common: hardly any passengers. What an incredible waste of resources.
How many people pay $30,000 for a personal car only to leave it parked at the train station for ten hours a day, five days a week. And that's probably less wasteful that the various buses. And supporting this are government funds for road maintenance and the ugly and ubiquitous parking garages, which can never have enough spaces.
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Three posts on pedestrian safety resent to Common Council because they never acted.
White Plains needs a Pedestrian Commissioner. Sunday, June 13, 2010
White Plains needs a Pedestrian Commissioner, part II Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Pedestrians endangered by cars diagonally crossing multiple lanes at intersections. Saturday, January 12, 2019
Link to all posts about pedestrians.
White Plains needs a Pedestrian Commissioner, part II Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Pedestrians endangered by cars diagonally crossing multiple lanes at intersections. Saturday, January 12, 2019
Link to all posts about pedestrians.
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
Bee-Line county bus system: can it be cost justified?
| from: | Ken | ||
| to: | beeline@westchestergov.com | ||
| cc: | George Latimer Alfreda Williams Benjamin Boykin | ||
| date: | Feb 6, 2019, 7:23 PM | ||
| subject: | White Plains, NY: $115 million for the Bee-Line county bus system in 2018. |
https://white-plains-ny.
There's no way this system is cost justified, especially with the county $22 million over budget.
You simply keep "30 million passengers" on your website. Name them.
Spanish city banned cars.
Common Council members represent the people who live in the houses on their street, who only want it to be convenient to drive into and park in downtown White Plains.
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/sep/18/paradise-life-spanish-city-banned-cars-pontevedra?CMP=fb_gu&fbclid=IwAR1rQloddBekeNeWrYKyMma9RIB4tWvUEdB_PZDgd0viofaKxdaB9ErdUqs
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/sep/18/paradise-life-spanish-city-banned-cars-pontevedra?CMP=fb_gu&fbclid=IwAR1rQloddBekeNeWrYKyMma9RIB4tWvUEdB_PZDgd0viofaKxdaB9ErdUqs
Saturday, February 2, 2019
Hudson Link bus has a passenger!
Spotted a couple of weeks ago. That's one passenger observed after months of "service" in downtown White Plains on a Hudson Link bus, you know, that boondoggle that all elected and appointed officials are ignoring. They've been notified but are unresponsive.
ShopRite downtown has gotten even worse.
Another message sent today to ShopRite through its website:
Your store drop down list above is ridiculous.
Your White Plains store is terrible. You treat it as an inner city store. You have ice cream with expired date, which is almost impossible considering how far into the future manufacturers date their products.
Express checkout is the worst of any store in recent memory. The register system fails often, you do not have maximum items or credit card only; basic stuff. Many checkout stations but most are not used. Main isles are filled with impulse junk. It's a mess with no adult supervision apparent.
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ShopRite: food dates not the most recent. Friday, February 9, 2018
Message just sent about:
ShopRite of White Plains
13 City Place
White Plains, New York 10601
(914) 539 - 4500
through the ShopRite online form at http://www.shoprite.com/contact-us-form-email/
Needs adult supervision. Lots of checkout stations but never even half with an employee, half of whom are always standing around...
_______________________________________
Your store drop down list above is ridiculous.
Your White Plains store is terrible. You treat it as an inner city store. You have ice cream with expired date, which is almost impossible considering how far into the future manufacturers date their products.
Express checkout is the worst of any store in recent memory. The register system fails often, you do not have maximum items or credit card only; basic stuff. Many checkout stations but most are not used. Main isles are filled with impulse junk. It's a mess with no adult supervision apparent.
_______________________________________
ShopRite: food dates not the most recent. Friday, February 9, 2018
Message just sent about:
ShopRite of White Plains
13 City Place
White Plains, New York 10601
(914) 539 - 4500
through the ShopRite online form at http://www.shoprite.com/contact-us-form-email/
Needs adult supervision. Lots of checkout stations but never even half with an employee, half of whom are always standing around...
_______________________________________
Saturday, January 12, 2019
Pedestrians endangered by cars diagonally crossing multiple lanes at intersections.
Walking to the train station, something not done by people living in most White Plains houses, is like the punch line: you can't get there from here. At least not safely.
So far the re-design and rehabilitation of the train station area shows ZERO indication that pedestrians will be able to get there without encountering crossing traffic and now more HUGE (almost empty) buses that provide ZERO benefit to White Plains.
On Hamilton Avenue, the only way to legally walk to the train station is on the north side and cross Ferris Avenue. But Ferris is one way going north and cars driving on this one way only part of Hamilton and also going to the train station must make a right into the pedestrians and simultaneously switch lanes to the left to get to the train station. The cars are constantly endangering pedestrians who have few options, none good.
This diagonal problem is at many downtown intersections because of two really stupid policies:
- allowing cars to turn from more than one lane
- 4-5 lane ONE way streets that force cars to quickly drive all the way across to the opposite side.
What the heck? It's so obviously dangerous. The cars in the second turning lane are blocked from seeing pedestrians in the cross walk by cars in the first turning lane. Geez, come on. I almost got hit a couple of days ago crossing Martine at South Lexington from NW corner to SW corner. The driver was trying to go diagonally all the way to the opposite side ... fast! Ironically, it's diagonally across from the Public Safety building where no cops are visible outside.
Same thing a few weeks ago trying to cross Hamilton from NW corner to SW corner with TWO lanes turning fast into the cross walk. This may be the most dangerous intersection in White Plains and that's saying a lot.
Does anyone who can change this give a damn?
_________________________
The Common Council has finally got to stop serving the interests of its neighbors in the house neighborhoods who only want to conveniently drive and park in downtown for their amusement. Be responsible.
_________________________
So far the re-design and rehabilitation of the train station area shows ZERO indication that pedestrians will be able to get there without encountering crossing traffic and now more HUGE (almost empty) buses that provide ZERO benefit to White Plains.
On Hamilton Avenue, the only way to legally walk to the train station is on the north side and cross Ferris Avenue. But Ferris is one way going north and cars driving on this one way only part of Hamilton and also going to the train station must make a right into the pedestrians and simultaneously switch lanes to the left to get to the train station. The cars are constantly endangering pedestrians who have few options, none good.
This diagonal problem is at many downtown intersections because of two really stupid policies:
- allowing cars to turn from more than one lane
- 4-5 lane ONE way streets that force cars to quickly drive all the way across to the opposite side.
What the heck? It's so obviously dangerous. The cars in the second turning lane are blocked from seeing pedestrians in the cross walk by cars in the first turning lane. Geez, come on. I almost got hit a couple of days ago crossing Martine at South Lexington from NW corner to SW corner. The driver was trying to go diagonally all the way to the opposite side ... fast! Ironically, it's diagonally across from the Public Safety building where no cops are visible outside.
Same thing a few weeks ago trying to cross Hamilton from NW corner to SW corner with TWO lanes turning fast into the cross walk. This may be the most dangerous intersection in White Plains and that's saying a lot.
Does anyone who can change this give a damn?
Saturday, May 26, 2018
Only the left lane (MLK Blvd.) is marked as turn only. May cars in other than the left lane also turn? If not, White Plains has several downtown intersections where this is a safety problem, especially for pedestrians. Compounding the problem of cars turning from one way MLK Blvd. onto one way Martine Ave. is that cars in left lane two and sometimes also (left) lane three are trying to get all the way across to the right on Martine ASAP to drive into the Galleria parking garage. Maybe that entrance should be closed.
One way Main Street turning left onto one way MLK Blvd.: one dedicated turn left only lane but cars in lane two often also turn left and cars in lane THREE also turn pretty frequently.
One way Church Street turning left onto Hamilton Ave., which is two way there, and cars in the middle straight lane regularly also turn left.
It's been this way in White Plains for decades. For the Traffic and/or Public Safety Departments to act like they don't know about this is disingenuous. The overriding objective is to move and park cars.
Five lane one way roads are inherently dangerous, especially for pedestrians. The turning problem described at these and other intersections is inexcusable and always has been. A complete overhaul is in order.
Friday, June 8, 2018
Turn only lanes made even more dangerous by bike rentals.
White Plains Police consider it legal for the second lane to also turn when there is a turn only lane. The result is that two lanes of cars may turn into pedestrians in the crosswalk. This is exacerbated at the places where cars are trying desperately to cross over the five lanes of one way traffic to enter a garage on the opposite side of the street. Examples:
- Galleria garage at Martine Avenue and MLK Blvd.
- Galleria garage on South Lexington Avenue from right on Main Street.
- Main Street into Galleria garage after left from South Lexington Avenue...
- Galleria garage at Martine Avenue and MLK Blvd.
- Galleria garage on South Lexington Avenue from right on Main Street.
- Main Street into Galleria garage after left from South Lexington Avenue...
Do the right thing. Change the most dangerous situations immediately. Then FINALLY implement some common sense changes that radically improve quality of life in downtown White Plains.
The Common Council has finally got to stop serving the interests of its neighbors in the house neighborhoods who only want to conveniently drive and park in downtown for their amusement. Be responsible.
Ghost buses. No, not busters, buses.
For the record about a week ago a PASSENGER was spotted on a Hudson Link bus in downtown White Plains. That's the first such passenger in Hudson Link history.
These are ghost buses. They have almost no passengers. Same with the regional bus companies. So, why do White Plains decision makers accept this, even encourage it?
Hudson Link buses make a left turn from Main Street onto Church Street, which is much too small to safely accommodate such large buses. Then where do they go? Down Hamilton Avenue to the bus terminal at the train station or, more likely, across Hamilton to residential Barker Avenue and then down to the bus terminal.
Buses park illegally in several locations, including Hamilton Avenue near North Broadway.
Do people on the Traffic Commission or in the Parking & Traffic Department ever give a second thought to safety and quality of life issues in DOWNTOWN White Plains? Or is it all about moving vehicles? Rhetorical questions, unfortunately.
Read some of the posts about buses and pedestrians:
https://white-plains-ny.blogspot.com/search/label/Buses
https://white-plains-ny.blogspot.com/search/label/Pedestrians
These are ghost buses. They have almost no passengers. Same with the regional bus companies. So, why do White Plains decision makers accept this, even encourage it?
Hudson Link buses make a left turn from Main Street onto Church Street, which is much too small to safely accommodate such large buses. Then where do they go? Down Hamilton Avenue to the bus terminal at the train station or, more likely, across Hamilton to residential Barker Avenue and then down to the bus terminal.
Buses park illegally in several locations, including Hamilton Avenue near North Broadway.
Do people on the Traffic Commission or in the Parking & Traffic Department ever give a second thought to safety and quality of life issues in DOWNTOWN White Plains? Or is it all about moving vehicles? Rhetorical questions, unfortunately.
Read some of the posts about buses and pedestrians:
https://white-plains-ny.blogspot.com/search/label/Buses
https://white-plains-ny.blogspot.com/search/label/Pedestrians
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