Tag Archives: bridge

Politics

By Jen Chung in News from Gothamist.com

Various reports say that State Senate Democrats are dropping the plan to toll East River and Harlem River bridge crossings, which has split their party. The Daily News reports that they “are expected to unveil a watered-down MTA bailout that would keep the city’s bridges free but leave less money for transit, sources said Monday night.” The NY Times calls the new proposal a “short-term alternative” that still leaves unanswered questions for the MTA.

The bridge toll plan was part of a plan suggested by Richard Ravitch as a way to generate revenue for the deficit-ridden MTA and limit the severity of MTA fare hikes—around the 23-30% range— and service: Drivers would pay tolls as subway, bus and rail commuters would pay slightly higher fares and businesses pay a payroll tax. The News says, Ravitch plan “supporters call it a comprehensive, long-term plan tackling two perennial issues: keeping the transit system affordable and preventing it from sliding into disrepair and unreliability.” Continue reading →