#NYC transit advocates want city to scrap ‘gridlock alert days’

The end of gridlock? Not so fast.

Transit advocates want the city to scrap its “gridlock alert days,” which they claim do nothing to stem the crush of cars that cripple NYC streets during the holiday season.

On Thursday, the second official gridlock alert day of the month, the Riders Alliance released a policy brief calling on the city to ditch the “gridlock alert” designation in favor of strategies like HOV restrictions, transit discounts and restrictions on city-used parking permits.

“It’s not nearly enough to beg drivers to leave their cars at home; we’ve tried that for 40 years without success,” said the group’s spokesman, Danny Pearlstein.

The city Department of Transportation designates gridlock alert days during high-traffic events, namely September’s annual United Nations General Assembly and the December holiday shopping season.

This month’s gridlock alert days are Dec. 8, 9, 15, 16, 17 and 22.

Riders Alliance’s policy brief asserts that the “well meaning” alerts do little to alleviate the pressure on everyday New Yorkers, particularly those who depend on city buses to get around.

“New Yorkers who ride buses are marooned and essential service providers like FDNY, EMS and HVAC repair are left stranded,” the report said. “There is no way to cut gridlock and also allow more cars on the road.”

The report’s recommendations are split into “temporary tactics,” “policy priorities” and “permanent strategies.”

Among the temporary fixes proposed are “pop-up” busways, restrictions on vehicle occupancy in the most congested areas, transit fare discounts and higher parking fees to discourage driving.

Permeant strategies could include expanding metered parking and eliminating city-issued parking placards, which advocates say encourage government workers to use their cars.

“The next mayor and City Council need to scrap the failed ‘gridlock alert days’ and take decisive action to get bus riders and the whole city moving again,” Pearlstein said.