Comments on: Can Kibbles ‘n Bits Save the MTA?

By: Chris O'Leary

Chris O'Leary — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:42:58 +0000

I’m confused by how this jet fuel tax could be feasible. A $2 tax per gallon of jet fuel works out to an additional $20,000 per flight on your average cross-country flight on a 757. That works out to an additional $100 on your ticket, assuming the plane is at full capacity. This tax would make New York airports – and not just JFK and LGA – completely uncompetitive. Just because these airports and Newark are already at capacity doesn’t mean consumers won’t make a switch. Or, even worse, they will choose to drive instead.

By: Ian Turner

Ian Turner — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 19:52:39 +0000

touché.

By: vnm

vnm — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 17:03:17 +0000

I suppose if I had to rank my preferences for how to fund the MTA, based on what the State Senate has proposed or evaluated so far, it would be:

1) tolls on the free bridges
2) jet fuel tax
3) payroll tax
4) taxi surcharge funding upstate roads
5) buying Canadian prescription drugs
6) investing pension funds in the stock market
7) cutting service and drastically raising fares and tolls on some bridges while keeping other bridges free

By: IsaacB

IsaacB — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 16:21:48 +0000

$.25 per food item sold on street.
$.05 per Twitter “tweet”.
$.10 per ‘blog or facebook comment.
$4.50 ped and bicycle toll on the East River bridges (that’ll show em).

Seriously, I’m appalled at at the energy and politicking that’s being wasted in avoiding the inevitable. Just raise the fare. $3.00. $.50 earmarked for operations, $.50 for capital programs. The system will be supported and accountable to its riders. Less a$$-kissing of idiots in Albany. We’ll get a hue and cry from about all the “poor” people who’ll be “penalized”, but hey, the price of stuff sometimes goes up. Soda goes up, bagels go up, bread goes up. People buy them anyway. Enough bi–hing about the fare.

By: Ian Turner

Ian Turner — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:16:17 +0000

The Port Authority, it should be noted, is not a New York State agency and is not controlled by the state legislature. I don’t think New Jersey would buy into this plan.

By: vnm

vnm — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 13:14:23 +0000

Well, all three NYC-area airports are pretty well at capacity, which is why they were/are trying to expand Stewart. So shifting to Newark wouldn’t be that easily accomplished. Anyway, the Port Authority controls all three.

By: Angus Grieve-Smith

Angus Grieve-Smith — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 02:56:32 +0000

I actually came up with a state wide bail out plan during my liquid lunch.

I’ll vote for you, Mike!

By: Ian Turner

Ian Turner — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 01:12:23 +0000

vnm, wouldn’t it just shift flights over to Newark, and encourage people not to schedule their connections through New York?

By: vnm

vnm — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 23:26:32 +0000

Lets give this jet fuel tax idea another look before we dump it.

It would tax something that is acutely harmful for the environment, namely, carbon emissions injected directly into the upper levels of the atmosphere. It would encourage travelers to take Amtrak. Would it dampen tourism? Not more than a $2.50 subway base fare. I would still rather see tolls. But if a jet fuel tax can really generate $1.7 billion for mass transit, that is a lot of money.

By: Ian Turner

Ian Turner — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 22:01:47 +0000

Shoelaces. There’s no reason elitist pedestrians should get off scott-free in this transportation budget shortfall. Make walkers pay their fair share of infrastructure and operating costs!

By: rufustfyrfly

rufustfyrfly — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:37:22 +0000

The State Senate passes a law defining the MTA as a bank, and the Authority applies for TARP funds.

Future operating costs are funded with a tax on those ugly metal bedpost-looking fences and railings that have started infesting the outer boroughs.

By: Dyker Heights-ian

Dyker Heights-ian — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:21:35 +0000

Or ugly suburban lawn displays around the holidays?

Hmph.

By: Kaja

Kaja — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:19:14 +0000

How about we don’t tax anything, and instead let the MTA into bankruptcy, where it can have some of those 400-odd 75$K PR jobs shed and its Union contracts reviewed by a judge?

By: Heffron

Heffron — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:13:34 +0000

I actually came up with a state wide bail out plan during my liquid lunch.

Step 1. Remove all tolls, taxes and fares from everything.
Step 2. Have a big press conference taking credit for saving NYS.
Step 3. ?????
Step 4. Profit.

It’s just that easy.

By: Clarence Eckerson Jr.

Clarence Eckerson Jr. — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:56:42 +0000

How about we tax tuna salad sandwiches? People eat alot of those. Or ugly suburban lawn displays around the holidays? Or best yet, let’s put a surcharge on oxygen consumption, that way people would breathe less.

By: Tuna Loaf

Tuna Loaf — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:53:07 +0000

Sneakers and bicycle tires.

By: Mark Walker

Mark Walker — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:22:31 +0000

Make everyone pay a $2 toll every time they use the subway or bus. That’ll teach ‘em!