Although plans for a bailout for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority have already stalled in the State Senate, transit advocates are now reviving and revising the idea of putting tolls on the East River and Harlem River bridges, to try to win over skeptical lawmakers.

The revised plan was put forward by former MTA Chairman Richard Ravitch.

The plan has two important changes. First, the bridge tolls would be set equal to the cost of a subway ride, as proposed by state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. Second, there would be toll exemptions for those who need to use the bridge to get to medical appointments or for those who use the bridge for commercial reasons.

Under the new plan, those exemptions could be paid for out of a $150 million offset fund, to be administered by the state Legislature, with the proceeds coming out of a new 50-cent surcharge on taxis, and increased taxes on Manhattan parking garages for non-residents.

"People who, for example, were to come into Sloan-Kettering for treatment, if we could create some kind of offset for them, it would remove what was the most toxic objection to the tolls," said Ravitch. "A legislative commission would work out the details of eligibility and how the rebates would be handled."

Like the original Ravitch Commission Plan, there is also a payroll tax on businesses in the MTA region.

Drivers who spoke to NY1 had a mixed reaction to the different proposals.

"For commercial, don't let them pay. [Make it free] for people who come to work," said one driver.

"Why would you pay any extra? You pay too much in this city already," said another.

It is uncertain whether Albany lawmaker will vote for the new plan. It may need the support of Senate Republicans, and some have said any MTA bailout must be coupled with money for upstate roads and bridges, which Governor David Paterson has said he is open to.

"That's certainly a possibility," said the governor. "At some point we have to address it. If we address it sooner than later, we'll be able to do it."

However, time is running out. Fare hikes on subways and buses go into effect on May 31, and the MTA says the longer Albany waits, the harder and more expensive it becomes to reverse the process.