Vision42, a citizen’s initiative with support from eight elected officials, wants to ban cars from 42nd Street and instead install a trolley-like system, making the popular crosstown route a pedestrian area like Times Square. Supporters say the light rail would be more efficient and comfortable than the notoriously slow crosstown buses. They also estimate that business along 42nd Street would increase by 35% with the added pedestrian traffic. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and others, however, think this costly measure is unnecessary given the almost-finished No. 7 subway line extension, the new traffic management system in midtown, the numerous bus options and bike share.
Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.