Do you?
It's a big issue right now. To toll or not to toll. What will it mean for Brooklynites and other "outer borough" citizens? Also, is our subway system ready for more high volume rush-hour commuters?
For the Civic Council, their support is directly tied into the demand that toll monies go to the MTA for subway and bus improvements. Another tie-in: Residential Permit Parking and more Muni Meters.
Here it is in the Civic Council's own words:
of the Mayor's Congestion Pricing initiative, provided it was tied to
Residential Permit Parking, installation of Muni-Meters, and immediate
transit improvements, specifically subway station and signal
improvements, and increased subway and bus service.
In December 2008, the Ravitch Commission issued a set of recommendations
on the long-term funding of the MTA. Among its recommendations is that
tolls be instituted on the free crossings of the East River and Harlem
River, with the net revenues being dedicated to improved bus service,
including Bus Rapid Transit. Consistent with our June 2007 resolution,
it is resolved that the Park Slope Civic Council endorses institution
of tolls on the free East River and Harlem River crossings, provided:
(a) it is tied to Residential Permit Parking and more widespread
installation of Muni-Meters; (b) the tolling structure is re-visited
after a period of time in light of actual experience, to see whether
the toll structure for each crossing needs to be changed; (c) reduced
tolls are investigated for high-occupancy vehicles (3 or more
passengers); (d) safeguards are put into place to prevent toll revenues
from being diverted to the MTA's general revenues, (e) consideration is
given to commuters from Staten Island; (f) variable toll rates, for
example by time of day, are explored.
I agree. Good for them. I support tolls 100%. They are especially advantageous to the poorer folks of the city, who take mass transit to cross the East River anyway.
Good for them. Tolls on the East River bridges will raise revenue needed to fund our mass transit system, decrease traffic, improve the air and extend the life of our infrastructure. Costs for some people will go up, but they will adapt or find a way to pass the cost on to others. Real estate around mass transit will go up in value, and real estate further away will become cheaper. I support tolls 100% and I drive a lot!