NYC Bridge Tolls
New York City is again embroiled in a controversy concerning putting tolls on the East River bridges. These debates occur every few years when budget get tight or the economy turns to sludge. It’s almost not worth paying attention to these debates since the end result will, of course, be higher fares for mass transit users and no tolls on the bridges. On the Hudson River bridges and tunnels however it is another story.
There have always been tolls on the Hudson River bridges. Perched on my bus seat high above the traffic making its way into the Lincoln tunnel, though, I have often mused as to the unfairness of the whole system. People pay the same toll whether they’ve got one person in a Hummer or 10 people in a minivan. That seems to make no sense to me. Shouldn’t the Hummer dude be penalized for being such a flagrant waster of scarce resources (gas, road capacity, etc.)?
Here’s what I would propose:
1 person in the car $100 toll
2 people $50 dollar toll
3 – 5 passengers – Normal toll
6 or more (providing the vehicle actually seats that many) – Free
Of course, exceptions will need to be made but Manhattan is no place for a car, particularly in rush hour, so let’s give the people who think about how they commute some incentive.
Comments
I rarely pay attention to the debates about fare hikes because in the end they will raise it no matter what!
The funny thing is that the representatives prefer MTA fare hikes because they do not have to vote for them!
Your proposal sounds fare enough. People just don’t care about the result of their actions such as having super gas consuming cars and stuff like those. But sometimes, even the alternative, if it’s too good, it’s also difficult to control in the long run…like bikes here in netherlands… it has became as public way of transportation and now, that many many and many buy them, the prices just surge like crazy! Without €500 no one can have a decent bicycle…Jeez!
Great idea, Guys!