Mayor Bloomberg is still at least somewhat interested in East River bridge tolls, judging by his remarks at a recent reporters’ breakfast.  The Downtown Express reported that the mayor raised the issue, “but seemed to acknowledge that the idea may be hard to approve.” Bloomberg mentioned the possibility that the E-ZPass system could be set to allow free passage for city residents, but would charge others. He also said electronic toll collection meant that tolls may not have to be collected right on the bridges, apparently a reference to the many complaints that East River bridge tolls would create additional congestion. No analysis has been done to show whether only charging out of town vehicles on the city’s East River bridges would have an appreciable impact on traffic levels and congestion or now.  City government appears to be doing no work on the issue.  “It’s very complex whether it’s a good or bad idea,” the mayor equivocated.

Arguments and materials on the benefits to the city are being compiled on-line at a new site: www.bridgetolls.org.

Downtown Forum on NYC Bridge Tolls (April 29, 2002)

Bloomberg Toys With Variable Tolls (Feb. 18, 2002)

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