NYC Comptroller and potential Bloomberg ouster Willam C. Thompson Jr had plenty to say about the MTA’s bailout plan. His list of complaints include: Concerns about issuing tolls on the East River Bridges, and the thoughtfulness of selling off City Owned land to a largely unaccountable authority.
“I first want to applaud the Commission, and particularly Chairman Richard Ravitch, a man who has long served our City and State with courage and distinction. I support the Commission’s efforts, especially with regards to staving off a large fare increase in the midst of a recession, and am eager to work to explore a number of options.
The proposals for major improvements in bus service and reforms at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority are very welcome. However, I continue to have serious concerns about instituting tolls on the Harlem and East River bridges.
It is my hope that my recent proposal be considered as a substantive alternative to generate comparable revenue while meeting environmental concerns. Notably, my plan would not involve the major costs of administering tolls.
I believe the institution of an additional weight-based surcharge of $100 for vehicles weighing 2,300 pounds or less – plus 9 cents for every pound of curb weight over that amount – would be a fairer and more regionally equitable way to spread the fiscal burden.”
In addition to raising tolls is perhaps the more serious matter of selling city owned resources to a largely unaccountable public authority.
