Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bridge Tolls

John Liu Releases a Bridge Toll Plan That Panders to Motorists

5:29 PM EDT on April 10, 2013

So John Liu has managed to take an excellent idea -- tolling the East River bridges -- and turn it into a policy disaster.

The key component of Liu's plan, which he says would raise $410 million annually, isn't the tolls -- it's the exemption for city residents. Here's what Liu said at an Association for Better New York event today:

To get that money, we would toll the East River Bridges for non-city residents. It's something that's been talked about before, and I think certainly makes sense, and is more realistic than a restoration of the commuter tax -- that I would love to see, but I'm not sure how open Albany would be.

Of course, Albany is just going to fall in love with a toll plan where Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester pay, while New York City doesn't.

Here's an excerpt from the press release that accompanied the release of the "People's Budget" -- an overall fiscal plan that Liu released in his capacity as comptroller:

Tolling the East River Bridges would mean that membership -- or in this case, residency, New York City residency -- has its privileges. Non-residents commuting by car can and should contribute to the upkeep of our city's infrastructure.

By exempting motorists who live in the five boroughs, Liu's plan would not solve the city's transit funding problems -- the next MTA capital program will still have a gaping hole. (Compare Liu's $410 million to the $2.8 $1.5 billion projected net revenue from the Sam Schwartz plan.) While Liu suggested devoting revenue to "infrastructure," he also mentioned that it could be used for "offsetting increased city contributions to the MTA," which might just lead to tolls that pad other areas of the city budget.

It's somewhat baffling why Liu would propose a non-starter like this. Exempting millions of motorists negates the value of tolls as a tool to meaningfully reduce congestion, and it undermines the notion that motorists should pay for using roads. Let's hope this idea doesn't infect the other campaigns.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

We Have the ‘End of Days’ Flooding Pics You Need Right Now

It's bad out there. How bad? Here is a citywide roundup from our staff ... and our friends on social media.

September 29, 2023

Labor Gains: Judge Tosses App Giants’ Suit to Stop Deliverista Minimum Wage

Justice Nicholas Moyne cleared the way for a long-delayed wage hike for workers who brave dangerous roads to bring food directly to New Yorkers.

September 29, 2023

Fed Up Bronxites Tell Mayor To Forget About Bus Ride Invitation After Fordham Road ‘Betrayal’

"I really would think that our mayor would be a little bit more active and speak with us, because he hasn't really made any time with riders. We're not the enemy. We just want better bus service."

September 29, 2023

City Pays $150K to Settle Suit Over Cops Who Harassed Man Who Reported Police Parking Misconduct

Justin Sherwood and his lawyer will pocket $152,000 to settle his federal civil rights suit against the city and several officers who harassed him following his 311 calls.

September 28, 2023
See all posts