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Skelos Calls <strike>Congestion</strike> Traffic Pricing "Just Another Tax"
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 27, 2011
Modified Jan 27, 2011
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By
Ben Yakas
Published Jan 27, 2011
Modified Jan 27, 2011
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Yesterday, it was reported that some politicians had begun making waves to resurrect congestion pricing, as "traffic pricing," to try to avert another fare increase and to restore some of last year's MTA service cuts. But just as soon as the idea was re-floated, it was swiftly dismissed by NY State Senate majority leader Dean Skelos (R-Long Island): "Congestion pricing is just another tax on people that commute into the city. People cannot afford to spend any more money."
Alex Matthiessen, an environmental consultant heading the Sustainable Transportation Campaign, has been working to build support for the idea, but acknowledged that there is no actual plan set yet. "This is a bottom-up effort to catalog the region's transportation needs and try to build consensus around a solution. But there is no plan or proposal or any specifics yet being considered." It was reported that advocates were floating the idea of a $10 fee to enter Manhattan south of 86th street.
Mayor Bloomberg, who actively campaigned for the plan three years ago, said he had nothing to do with the latest attempts to bring it back, although his team has been working on it. "What a clever idea. My God. How did they think of that? If they're working on it, I happen to think it makes some sense. But I'm going to stay out of it. We've done everything we can," he said.
Tagged
Budget cuts
congestion pricing
lower manhattan
mayor bloomberg
MTA
TRAFFIC PRICING
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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