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New York, NY – Believe it or not, there is even grimmer budget news.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is swimming in a sea of red ink and sources say that drivers in the city might not like the bailout plan.
Nearly half a million cars go back and forth over the Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg and 59th Street bridges every day for free.
Now state and city officials now seem to agree that putting tolls on some or all of the East River bridges is part of the bailout plan being considered for the MTA.
Tolling all four bridges may be a heavy lift for Mayor Michael Bloomberg right now, which is why it’s possible tolls could be put on just two.
Another option is to have tolls only during morning and evening rush hours.
Putting tolls on all four spans could raise almost $1 billion for mass transit.
“That’s crazy,” said Alex Shaw of the Bronx. “We’re taxed enough. They’ve got to get the money from someplace else. Stop putting it on the motorists.”
“People that don’t live in the city should pay a little bit extra,” said Debrah Levy of Greenwich Village. “People that are in the city need the break on the subways.”
But it may not stop with the East River tolls. A top transit source said that the mayor’s full congestion pricing plan is also back on the table.
On Monday, the MTA will reveal just how much in the red it really is.
Even with the East River tolls, a fare hike on bus, subway and commuter rails is expected.
A poll roll tax on employers is also being considered.
how much will the toll be if you walk across the bridge ??
tell this bloombergg to go get a new job
Mr. Bloomberg is out of touch,
Why dont they toll you for the air you breathe as well ?
wouldnt that cause more traffic? waiting on line to pay…..
If the tolls are for mas transit, raise prices on the subway. Don’t charge motorists on those bridges. Besides where in purgatory are they putting the tolls booths anyway.
All this makes me wonder if Bloomie really wants another term. It doesn’t sound like it considering all the stupid taxes he is coming up with.
Putting tolls on the East River bridges would make up for a major loss in tax revenue.
My gut feeling, Bloomberg is going mad out for retaliation to the public for not electing his endorsedcandidates, just a few days ago he anounced a new sales tax and RE rax increase, and now its tolls, who knows what else is on his mind?
Bloomberg take a hike and don’t find your way back you animal self hateing man
“wouldnt that cause more traffic? waiting on line to pay…..”
Are you that ignorant?! Did you pay any attention to the congestion pricing debate earlier this year? THERE WILL BE NO TOLL BOOTHS.
Congestion pricing is perhaps the most equitable public policy out there.. it is not “grim budget news”.
remember new yorkers !!! he’s out for setteling the economy crises …….-with our money- remember it in the poll room……. DON’T VOTE FOR HIM OR WHOMEVER HE ENDORSES
when the city gets a surplus do they eliminate the tolls of course not this is another tax from our liberal Mayor.
The guy is starting to get under my skin!
Blommy, you heard in no uncertain terms that people don’t want your “congestion charge” in any form, not tolls on bridges or other names!
Cut welfare!
Cut social programs!
We don’t need to make New York a place for free housing projects and the scum who live there!
It’s time hard working New Yorkers start protesting government largess on their poor backs!!!
its time for a audit of the mta what are they doing witth all the money let them cut waste there is no reason to see four busses running together empty or 8 car trains running empty at off peak hours so much waste cut the waste
when you go over the bridge look at the waterfalls and remember the waste that put this city in trouble
get rid of the goon Goonberg
cut the welfare from the bums that sit on the streets pushing pot and weed
Its ok to put tolls on these bridges because every month from now on bloomberg is sending out a $100 heck for every new yorker because ous our new president said we all have to SHARE OUR WEALTH
What bothers me is that I have seen some cars drive on Ocean Parkway, 13th Avenue, Queens Boulevard and on many city steets, FOR FREE!!!!
Mayor Bloomberg, how can you take that? Free driving? We get tickets for garbage and parking, why should drivers get by for free?
Also, many people in Flatbush have been seen….WALKING for free!!!
WHat a chutzpah! Walking without paying!
The more goodies politicians distribute, the more power they have. And it’s all about the power.