Without getting into why the MTA is in the mess it is in, especially considering the poss-or-probability of poor management – I can’t say I’m so hot on the idea of five NYC Democrats in the State Senate blocking legislation adding a toll to the East River bridges (Lets call it the "I Don’t Feel Like Taking Public Transportation Tax") which would then save the MTA from needing to enact "doomsday" service cutbacks…
The five Senators consist of two from Brooklyn (Kevin Parker, Carl Charger) and three from the Bronx (Ruben Diaz Sr., Pedro Espada Jr. and Ruth Hassle-Thompson) – and while I am sure they believe they are protecting their constituents from extra taxes – driving into Manhattan is a luxury – unless it’s some kind of delivery for a business, in which case I am less concerned.
This amounts to same confusion I had as to why Downtown’s Shelly Silver was the guy who shot down the congestion pricing plan in the State Assembly last year.
Most people who make less than the $100K buy-in it takes to even be middle class in this city do not own or use cars. The MTA is the lifeblood of these people’s lives and of this city. 1.62 BILLION trips were taken on the transit system last year. It should be run (and should run) correctly. It should be maintained. It should be funded. Period.
