Drivers could be paying more to help fund mass transit if one non-profit group gets its way.
The Citizens Budget Commission is proposing a number of fees on cars and trucks to help the MTA close a $1 billion gap in its capital investment program.
One of its recommendations is a vehicle-miles traveled tax.
The VMT tax would use GPS technology to charge vehicles based on how many miles are driven.
The commission is also backing some ideas that have been floated before, like tolls on the East River bridges and higher gasoline taxes.
Eleven percent of the MTA's mass transit budget currently comes from from motor vehicle fees, tolls, and taxes.
But the CBC wants that raised to nearly 25 percent.
"The gas tax both nationally and in New York has been diminishing as a source of revenue. You have more fuel efficient cars, you have hybrid cars, and we’re moving towards all electric cars. So the gas tax isn’t yielding what it used to yield," said Charles Brecher of the Citizens Budget Commission.
Most, but not all, straphangers who spoke with NY1 Wednesday morning supported the plan.
"I pay $116 a month just to get from point a to point b. So how is it fair that I pay and they don't," said one transit commuter.
"I think it's terrible. I really do. Every couple of years they raise the fares - we don't know where that money goes. The service isn't any better. This is just going to go into someone's pockets," said another transit commuter.
The proposal would need state approval to become a reality and in the past Albany has been a dead end for similar revenue ideas.