Comments on: MTA Rescue Alert: Tell Electeds What You Oppose

By: Cap'n Transit

Cap'n Transit — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:20:55 +0000

The geography of our region should not necessarily be a reason to charge certain drivers more than others, particularly given the reality the societal costs of driving are more than just maintaining bridges.

Not necessarily, but in this case it makes sense. People who drive across bridges to their jobs tend to live in sprawly places and demand more taxpayer-sponsored infrastructure.

By: zgori

zgori — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:56:40 +0000

Some of the opponents to tolling the bridges have a point in one respect. The geography of our region should not necessarily be a reason to charge certain drivers more than others, particularly given the reality the societal costs of driving are more than just maintaining bridges.

Congestion pricing was a more fair solution, but even that didn’t spread the burden quite well enough.

My proposal would be for a graduated congestion pricing scheme, where in you pay more money to drive closer to the central business districts. Eliminate tolls on all bridges and tunnels, but charge drivers, say, $2 when they enter NYC; another $2 as they approach congested areas of the outer boroughs, such as downtown brooklyn; another $2 to enter Manhattan below 96 street; and $4 more to enter midtown or the financial district.

This would be technologically enforced via some sort of GPS based ez-pass device. It places the burden on those who actually clog up the most congested areas, rather than on those who cross bodies of water.

Would this work? Would it be more politically palatable? I have no idea!

By: Anon

Anon — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 02:12:49 +0000

You guys need to make this not just NY Transportation issue but ALSO a “consumer” issue.
Sate your case for passing the Ravitch inspired Silver Plan to tips@consumerist.com
http://www.consumerist.com a not-for-profit subsidiary of Consumers Union.

By: Niccolo Machiavelli

Niccolo Machiavelli — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 01:37:09 +0000

I don’t know Larry, come on, there were all the moving 911 dedications.

By: Larry Littlefield

Larry Littlefield — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 21:03:30 +0000

For nearly 20 years, the state legislature has done just about everything I oppose. So I suppose I ought to keep my mouth shut.

By: Think_twice

Think_twice — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 20:29:28 +0000

By the way everyone, link this post on your Facebook or Twitter to give it the most exposure.

By: Ben Fried

Ben Fried — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 20:29:26 +0000

I live in Eric Adams’ district and had no problems using the form.

By: Think_twice

Think_twice — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 20:27:23 +0000

Mine got through all right. I believe I’m writing from Carl Kruger’s district, but not even the NYS Senate’s website will give me a straight answer on that. I do hope that anyone can send the message.

By: Cap'n Transit

Cap'n Transit — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 20:21:27 +0000

If the drivers don't want to pay to cross the bridges, maybe we should just do only the minimum maintenance. And by "minimum," I mean: how much less than $500 million would it cost if we only did enough so that the bridge could support one lane of busway in each direction plus non-motorized traffic?

By: Mark Walker

Mark Walker — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 20:11:31 +0000

Done.

My first contact with the electeds since congestion pricing.

By: chuck

chuck — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 20:04:43 +0000

Hmm. Both your post and the Campaign’s website give you the impression that this message is for all NYC residents to use. But the CNYF web form will not allow me to send the message, I gather because I don’t live in one of the Three Amigos’ districts.

Anyone have any luck submitting the message?