East River Bridges May Not Be Free For Long
The city’s fiscal crisis is such that nothing is off-the-table when it comes to raising funds, not even a sacred cow like the no-toll bridges over the East River. For some commuters, this would add up to $100 a week in extra taxes. “Where am I going to get that from?” said one man who…
The city’s fiscal crisis is such that nothing is off-the-table when it comes to raising funds, not even a sacred cow like the no-toll bridges over the East River. For some commuters, this would add up to $100 a week in extra taxes. “Where am I going to get that from?” said one man who drives his wife to and from work across the Williamsburg Bridge every day. While such a move is unlikely to be a crowd pleaser, “Desperate times require desperate measures,” says Gene Russianoff of the Straphangers’ Campaign.
$5 peak times. If I need to drive into the city once a year to shop at container store and in chelsea $10 is going to hurt for a shopping trip. But honestly trying to build o toll collecting system with a cash lane at any river crossing is going to be a hazard, disaster and nightmare.
These were all toll bridges when they were built, so that is nothing new. Let’s “Spread the wealth around”, or is that PAIN they actually meant to say. The first of many tax increases are coming, local, state, federal, property, income, sales,etc. I can’t wait for the granddaddy to come, the “Corporate Tax” increase. Watch your wallets and pocket books then because the cost of everything you buy, use, and rent will go up. You don’t actually beleive corporations will lower earnings because the US Govt wants a bigger slice. Suck it up. You voted for it now pay for it.
“or they could just actaully enforce fines that exist on the books but which they ignore.
(littering, dog poop).”
They should, especially littering.
I take the midtown tunnel in, in the morning because the 59th St Bridge is a zoo, I waste money if I have to wait for the bridge.
In the afternoon I return on the Brooklyn Bridge. I like that it is free but to be honest, I understand why a toll would be good and I support it.
Toll the bridges but please do it smart EZ Pass only no BS stop and go cash crap.
“Desperate times require desperate measures,” says Gene Russianoff of the Straphangers’ Campaign …well of course an organization for subway riders would have no problem with the idea – — but would he also say desperate times require desperate measures if was suggested subway fares rose 25 cents? Quoting someone who has been pushing for tolls in whatever economy – will of course use this as excuse.
I think people assume that driving over east river brdige means you are driving to manhattan location to work and subway is option – (which maybe the case for all the NYC govt employees with parking permits) – but I would wonder if most of the others are headed to NJ, Westchester, or areas not really practical to get to by subway on daily basis.
Agree. Why should non-drivers subsidize the road and bridge repairs caused by a very specific set of people. We already breath their pollution and listen to their alarms and horn honking.
Ideally, tolls based on weight. $10 for every dumb ass in a hummer or SUV. $2 for a compact hybrid. $1 for a motorcycle (me!)
Fewer cars means a richer, safer, healthier New York.
Well said setancre.
Boo hoo … no more driving the wife to work from Williamsburg. Take the subway like everyone else!
This is a good idea but should be implemented in a smart way. We don’t want to hurt small businesses that need to cross the bridges multiple times per day. Businesses need some sort of big “EasyPass” discount for multiple daily trips.
For 95% of the private citizens that are driving to work now … you want to keep driving into the most congested city in the US? No problem, but you need to pay a consumption tax called a toll.
The one way this could be a total disaster: Tolls are implemented without the necessary upgrades to mass transit (which is likely). That’s my one reservation.
I think its time to start taxing the East River bridges. Their maintenance is not free and should not be disproportionally paid for by non-users. Staten Island drivers pay $10 if they want to drive into the city, so you can’t argue that everyone should have free driving access to Manhattan because it’s already not the case. The rest of us pay $2 a day to take the train/bus. And really, the city should be making every effort to minimize driving into Manhattan where possible (spoken as a driver and car-owner in BK).
It’s not clear to me why drivers over these bridges, and these bridges alone, should be subsidized by everyone else. Technology has certainly improved to the point where they could install quick-read EZpass, etc., and try to minimize traffic build-up.