I dunno, man, It's rumored they have this thing called cellular telephony technology allowing just such a thing while in traffic --I could be wrong though, thems being wealthy and shit.

I think your explanation makes the most sense. getting the slack out of the system and reducing corruption plus driving some marginally middleclass to opt for commuter rail because $50/week puts them under.

For many commuters, though, it would suck if you're used to driving in but now have to take the LIRR (and xfer at Jamaica or whatever) or now drive to the PATH station and take the commuter rail in.

Sure, but that's because you can "squeeze" the price on people. You can't squeeze the price on something where there is no negotiation or haggling. If you can get your plumber to do the 400 job for 250, are you gonna say, nah, here man, take 500? Who would do that, only lonely people looking for some company. (pool boy/wealthy lady, waitress/guy with too much money)

Do people put a value on time when not doing value added stuff? When they go for a walk, do they instead run? Do they try to only meet up with friends who can return an investment on their time? Do these people not shoot the shit? Are they busy beavers at all times maximizing wealth?

If poor people aren’t driving in then it means that they are not a source of the reduction in traffic. On the other hand, if only the wealthy drive in then are we saying the wealthy are price sensitive? That seems very unlikely! Someone is not driving in as much.