LIers rally against plan to use payroll tax to aid MTA

[Samrai309]

The tolls and fares were originally designed to pay for the remaining balance on cost of the infrastructure, roads, bridges etc. When was the last time they actually could fix and improve instead of patchwork maintenance of this infrastructure? The proposed increase is not even for that--its to balance a huge deficit. Have you paid attention to any of these "free" crossings when you go across. They are older than dirt. The Williamsburgh bridge can't even get a paint job. They are still trying to clean the lead paint off I assume. Probably its original paint. Bottom line is whether riders and users are saddled with a fare increase, a commuter tax is proposed, a congestion pricing plan is approved, a business tax is proposed, etc, this problem will never go away. They will continue to stick it to Joe Q. Public.

The idea of an increase in car registration is something I have not heard but its a good "outside the box" idea. Of course no one wants to pay but cars are a luxury and privilege as much as a necessity for people and its one of the things the state could do. THe EZ pass only on the bridges with currently no tolls is another idea that I think would work because I was wondering myself how they could collect tolls. But they would prob offset any money earned by the time that officers would put in earning a wage to combat idiots with no EZ-pass that foul up traffic when they show up to cross. And it will happen.

[longislandmike]

Gov. Paterson slaps state Republicans for blocking plan for MTA

[S.I.B.]

Originally Posted by Samrai309

But they would prob offset any money earned by the time that officers would put in earning a wage to combat idiots with no EZ-pass that foul up traffic when they show up to cross. And it will happen.

they could install a version with no gates that simply scans your EZ Pass. those who don't have EZ pass will have pics of their license plate taken and will receive tickets in the mail. It's not a perfect solution, but nothing is easy when you're dealing with infrastructure that's 100+ years old.

[AlexisT]

My guess is that they'll use something like the camera system that London uses for congestion charging to catch people without EZ-Pass. The London system works well enough (as long as you don't forget to pay the charge!)