A week after the MTA approved a "doomsday" plan to raise bus, subway and commuter rail fares by about 23% and implement drastic service cuts, the State Legislature is trying to come to a solution over how to help rescue the agency. And now sources say that East River and Harlem River bridge tolls are out—and a 50-cent taxi surcharge may be part of the plan.
Much of the deadlock surrounded the bridge tolls, which are now off the table according to Governor Paterson. Previously, Assembly Speaker Silver and Paterson supported a plan to raise subway/ bus fares by 8%, toll on East River and Harlem River Bridges and implement a payroll tax while Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith's proposal offers a 4% fare hike, no bridge tolls, and a smaller payroll tax (it's suggested that the Senate's math is "flawed" and that they would actually need to raise fares by 13% to make up the money).
Regarding the taxi charge, the Post says that it's just one of many ideas being considering (another is a fee on "anyone renting a car or parking in a garage"): "Sources were weary to say how seriously lawmakers are considering the taxi fee." We can't wait to hear what the taxi union says!
