Latest MTA Bailout Plan Looks To Riders Outside City
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Democrats in the State Senate have proposed a plan to save the MTA by making life in the 12 counties served by the cash-strapped agency more expensive.
The revised proposal includes a $1 per ride surcharge on cab and livery fares. It also calls for a payroll tax, higher motor vehicle fees and a fee hike on rental cars.
What the plan doesn't include is new tolls on the city-owned East and Harlem River bridges.
Those backing the bill estimate it would cut the planned 23 percent increase in subway and bus fares by about two-thirds.
In a controversial move, the plan also calls for borrowing money to fund road and bridge work upstate and on Long Island.
The bonds to fund that construction would be backed by half of the taxi surcharge.
Support for the bailout is said to be far from certain, even within the Democratic conference.
Senate Republicans are saying they won't provide the votes needed to get approval either. The plan also isn't expected to come up for a vote until next week at the earliest.