Why NYC Mass Transit Riders Struggle to Get Improvements Done While Car Drivers Win the Political Game

Kinda works this way for every bus route in America too

New York City, with its iconic skyline and sprawling urban landscape, is a city on the move. Every day, millions of New Yorkers rely on the vast and complex mass transit system to navigate their lives, while others hit the road in their cars, zipping through the city streets. But when it comes to getting their voices heard and their demands met, there’s a stark difference between these two groups. Car drivers seem to win out time and again with more political power, while mass transit riders struggle to get the improvements they desperately need.

I’ll drive occasionally. Cars are nice. Mass Transit is nice too. Today we have a big problem with car loans, high insurance rates, accidents, traffic, and long commutes. Even if you don’t ride mass transit or bike, we gotta realize that those things make cars faster and cheaper to use. If we don’t build up alternatives to driving, stuff gets worse. Think of cars like Pizza. Pizza rules, but if you eat only pizza it’s gets kinda boring. Having options to cars is a truly great thing. The question is, why don’t those options work better?

The Political Power Dynamics: Car Drivers vs. Mass Transit Riders

At first glance, it might seem counterintuitive that car drivers, a minority in NYC compared to mass transit riders, have more political clout. Yet, the psychology and political power dynamics between these groups reveal why drivers often come out on top.

Car Drivers: A Focused and Powerful Minority

Car drivers in NYC are a highly motivated and vocal group. They feel a deep sense of ownership over their vehicles and, by extension, the roads they travel on. This psychological attachment fuels their advocacy, making them more likely to complain and demand action when their interests are threatened. Outside of NYC everyone drives, and their voices overwhelm city residents and politicians.

But what really gives car drivers the upper hand is the concentrated nature of their demands. Their policy objectives are clear-cut: more parking spaces, fewer restrictions, and freedom from tolls and fees. This narrow focus allows them to rally effectively, presenting a unified front that’s hard to ignore. When you have a specific set of goals, it’s much easier to mobilize and apply pressure on policymakers.

Moreover, car drivers tend to be a more economically advantaged group, which translates into greater political influence. Historically, urban planning in NYC has favored car infrastructure—think of the countless miles of roads, the vast parking lots, and the sprawling highways. This car-centric development has entrenched the political power of drivers, making it easier for them to protect their interests. I like cars too, but traffic and pollution and high car costs are definitely a concern, and more cars means it gets worse, not better. We just got “used” to traffic and car loans and suffer with it.

Mass Transit Riders: A Fragmented Majority

On the other side of the coin, you have mass transit riders. They make up the majority in NYC, with millions relying on subways, buses, and trains to get around. Yet, despite their numbers, they struggle to wield the same level of political power as car drivers.

One of the key challenges mass transit riders face is the sheer diversity of their needs. Unlike car drivers, who rally around a few focused demands, transit riders have a laundry list of concerns: better funding, faster service, improved services, fewer delays, safer conditions, more bus lanes, and reduced car traffic, just to name a few. This diversity makes it difficult to coalesce around a single issue or strategy, diluting their collective voice. The complaints to city hall aren’t clearly focused for action.

Another factor is the nature of mass transit itself. Unlike car ownership, which fosters a sense of personal investment, mass transit is seen as a public good. This creates a psychological disconnect—riders may not feel the same level of ownership or responsibility, leading to less proactive advocacy. The system is there for everyone, so the motivation to fight for improvements can wane, especially when the problems seem overwhelming. We complain about mass transit delays, but on social media riders take out that frustration on mass transit, not by writing a letter to city hall.

Moreover, mass transit riders represent a cross-section of the city’s population, spanning different socio-economic, racial, and geographic lines. This fragmentation makes it harder to organize and advocate effectively. When riders can’t unite around a common cause, their collective power diminishes, making it easier for their concerns to be overlooked by those in power.

Why Car Drivers Win Out in NYC

So, why do car drivers win out in NYC’s political arena? The answer lies in a combination of historical precedence, economic clout, and unified demands.

- Economic and Social Status: Car drivers, on average, have higher incomes and are more likely to vote and participate in political processes. This translates into greater attention from elected officials, who are keenly aware of the political power of this group.

- Historical Advantage: For decades, NYC’s infrastructure has been designed with cars in mind, from the wide avenues to the sprawling bridges and tunnels. This car-centric approach has reinforced the power and influence of drivers, creating a political landscape that favors their needs.

- Unified Demands: The focused nature of car drivers’ demands makes it easier for them to rally support and apply pressure on policymakers. When your objectives are clear, it’s much simpler to get things done.

The Challenges of Coordinating Mass Transit Riders

For mass transit riders, the path to greater political power is fraught with challenges. The diversity of their needs and the lack of a unifying cause make it difficult to present a strong, collective voice. Without this, their concerns are often overshadowed by the more focused and powerful demands of car drivers.

Additionally, the psychological disconnect between riders and the mass transit system makes it harder to inspire the kind of passionate advocacy seen among car drivers. When riders don’t feel a personal stake in the system, they’re less likely to fight for the changes they need.

Finally, the fragmented nature of the transit rider population makes organizing efforts more difficult. With so many different priorities and perspectives, it’s challenging to build a movement that can effectively advocate for the improvements that the system so desperately needs.

Gridlock:

In the battle for political power in NYC, car drivers have the advantage—thanks to their focused demands, economic influence, and historical precedence. Meanwhile, mass transit riders, despite their numbers, struggle to get improvements done due to the diversity of their needs, a psychological disconnect from the system, and the challenges of organizing a fragmented population.

For mass transit riders to gain more political power, they’ll need to find ways to unify their voices (The Straphanger Union), create a sense of ownership over the system, and rally around a common cause. Only then will they be able to compete with the entrenched power of car drivers and push for the improvements that NYC’s transit system so desperately needs.