Liveable Streets

In Support of East River Bridge Tolls

In June 2007 the Park Slope Civic Council voted in favor of the Mayor's Congestion Pricing initiative, provided it was tied to Residential Permit Parking, installation of Muni-Meters, and immediate transit improvements, specifically subway station and signal improvements, and increased subway and bus service.

In December 2008, the Ravitch Commission issued a set of recommendations on the long-term funding of the MTA.  Among its recommendations is that tolls be instituted on the free crossings of the East River and Harlem River, with the net revenues being dedicated to improved bus service, including Bus Rapid Transit.  Consistent with our June 2007 resolution, it is resolved that the Park Slope Civic Council endorses institution of tolls on the free East River and Harlem River crossings, provided:  (a) it is tied to Residential Permit Parking and more widespread installation of Muni-Meters; (b) the tolling structure is re-visited after a period of time in light of actual experience, to see whether the toll structure for each crossing needs to be changed; (c) reduced tolls are investigated for high-occupancy vehicles (3 or more passengers); (d) safeguards are put into place to prevent toll revenues from being diverted to the MTA's general revenues, (e) consideration is given to commuters from Staten Island; (f) variable toll rates, for example by time of day, are explored.