De Blasio Considers Once-Dead East River Bridges Toll Plan
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Mayor Bill de Blasio has suddenly decided he's willing to consider a controversial congestion pricing plan that would put tolls on the East River bridges to help fund the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
If you thought this plan had left the station, well, it just rode the rails back from oblivion, CBS2's Marcia Kramer reported.
First Deputy Mayor Anthony Shorris said Wednesday the mayor wants, "action and urgent action because we can't afford to let overcrowding continue, to let fares rise, to let service deteriorate."
Shorris was talking about subways and buses, telling the MTA that to help it close a $14 billion hole in its capital budget the mayor would consider supporting a range of initiatives, including the East River tolls or raising some or all of the taxes that now help fund the mass transit agency, Kramer reported.
All of those things require approval from Albany, which of late has not looked too kindly on de Blasio proposals. Shorris had the following message for lawmakers:
"It's time to act. It's time to get serious. It's time to pull together with the governor to create a solution," Shorris said.
The potential move comes as the city and state have been engaged in a tug of war over just how much the city should contribute to the MTA, which also runs two commuter railroads. The city has upped its contributions to what the MTA asked for, Kramer reported.
"The paltry amount the city has provided for decades -- especially given the city's recent historic surplus -- can't continue if we are to maintain a safe and reliable transit network, let alone improve and expand rider services," said MTA spokesman Adam Lisberg.
Drivers had mixed reactions to the idea of tolls.
"We don't like it," Joseph Pansty told Kramer.
"Bad idea. Bad idea. And bad idea," added Vicky Negron of Brooklyn Heights. "No tolls. Absolutely not. Thumbs down."
"It's a good idea. We don't want to have too many people in here. There's way too many people driving to here," Amato De La Cruz said.
"At the moment I don't think this place is equipped to put tolls on none of the bridges," added Edgar White of Flatbush.
The plan comes as the city just struck a deal with Uber on how it can operate going forward, Kramer reported.
