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Cars to the Rescue

Monday, November 24, 2008

Frank Braconi, New York City Comptroller's Office chief economist, explains their proposal to use car registration fees to close the M.T.A.'s budget gap.

Guests:

Frank Braconi

Comments [17]

hjs from 11211

mc
congestion pricing was about congestion, that goods and services can't move around the city because to many selfish able-bodied people are driving, alone in cars in midtown.

Nov. 24 2008 12:16 PM
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mc from Brooklyn

This is a dumb idea. Raise the gas tax. It spreads it out more and hits people with relatively smaller amounts more often.

The congestion pricing turned out to be about the MTA. Probably one reason it lost. Next time: a little honestly please Mr. Mayor.

Nov. 24 2008 12:09 PM
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Arthur Aptowitz from Forest Hills-Key Food-Queens Blvd and 108th Street

There are families with 2-3 cars in places like Statren Island and the counties surrounding NYC, because they have NO access to public transportation. How can one tax them many hundreds to a thousand dollars for a service they cannot use?
Bill Thompson HASN'T PAID TO BUY,USE OR MAINTAIN A CAR FOR DECADES. His vehicles and chauffeurs have been paid for by NYC taxpayers!Perhaps HE ought to pay back the free service he has received!

Nov. 24 2008 11:42 AM
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hjs from 11211

12 caller would be replaced by a real NYer

Nov. 24 2008 11:37 AM
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adam from manhattan

what a squandered opportunity to get into the true cost of operating private vehicles in this city. that caller from Queens set it up and Braconi completely missed it.

registration fee, tolled bridges, out-of-state registration fraud enforcement, non-subsidized street parking rates. we need all these things so we can get closer to bringing MTA fares down and improving service.

Nov. 24 2008 11:34 AM
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ken from Queens

10, if the caller moved out you would be paying the difference through your taxes or higher fares, so be careful what you wish for. At the end of the day someone needs to pay the subsidy and in the end it will always be the rider.

Nov. 24 2008 11:26 AM
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culprit from Brooklyn

I have a car, and I think this is a brilliant proposal. I'm also for congestion pricing. First off, it doesn't "squeeze the middle class"--if you're so squeezed why'd you buy a Land Rover? There is public transportation available to everyone, no one in the middle class "needs" a car. We should ALL be using public transport, so of course us car drivers should subsidize it! Not fair? Maybe they should charge "pollution fees"--since by driving your car you're harming others by polluting the air they breathe. Fact is, car drivers in this country have been getting a free ride.

Secondly, another way for the city to raise money is to actually enforce traffic rules--ticketing for double parking (a huge factor in congestion). How about actually ticketing all those drivers who make right turns from the left lane? I often tell my out of town friends, the only traffic law in NYC is "Do whatever the fuck you want!"

Nov. 24 2008 11:25 AM
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hjs from 11211

caller move out and take your cars with you.

i get though life without a car, believe it or not.

Nov. 24 2008 11:19 AM
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Sam Goater from Fairfield ct

ride a bike-stop whining!

Nov. 24 2008 11:18 AM
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hjs from 11211

what is the best way to get homerule for our city?
don't we pay the states bills already?

Nov. 24 2008 11:16 AM
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robert from park slope

how much would a subway fare cost if riders bore completely the cost of the system?

Nov. 24 2008 11:16 AM
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jenna from brooklyn

enough already. get the MTA books under control and begin to automate and get rid of the huge labor costs before feeding the beast more of our hard earned money.

- an unhappy transit rider

Nov. 24 2008 11:15 AM
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Sam Goater from Fairfield ct

lets have scales at the toll booths, $1 per 100lbs

Nov. 24 2008 11:14 AM
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Chris from New Jersey

Is there any exemption for hybrid cars in this proposal, or is it solely based on weight?

Nov. 24 2008 11:14 AM
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Jason from Ny,NY

Why pass the cost on to Non-users of MTA services. There is something fundamentally unfair in this proposal. Shouldn't the cost be borne by those that use of the service.

Also, how would this NEW TAX affect the working poor. A new $400 tax seems excessive when countless numbers are losing their jobs.

Nov. 24 2008 11:14 AM
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joseph tanen from harlem

why can't we put meters on every avenue and cross street in the city, and make people pay for the streets they use?

Nov. 24 2008 11:13 AM
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DIck from Brooklyn

so now more people will register their vehicles out of state

a situation that goes unenforced

Nov. 24 2008 11:11 AM
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