Transit Authority to NYC Marathon: Pay the toll

[Batman]

New York City's Metropolitan Transit Authority wants the organizers of the New York Marathon to pay $750,000 as compensation for lost toll revenue from the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge during the race.
The race organizers started paying $150,000 a few years ago, and were willing to up it to $200,000. A 2019 economic impact report estimated the race generated $427 million for the city.

Considering some of the ridiculous NGO-affiliated social programs governments of all types support, this statement from the MTA president is a bit rich.

“Taxpayers cannot be expected to subsidize a wealthy non-government organization like the New York Road Runners to the tune of $750,000,” the president of MTA Bridges and Tunnels, Catherine Sheridan, told The Post in a statement.
“The MTA is prepared to continue working toward a final agreement with the NYRR, provided it leads, over time, to full reimbursement for the lost revenue.”

 

[Deskgrunt50]

Don't think it was ever going to happen and it already is NOT happening.

Hochul directs MTA to scrap plan to charge NYC Marathon for toll revenue.

 

[Batman]

Don't think it was ever going to happen and it already is NOT happening.

Hochul directs MTA to scrap plan to charge NYC Marathon for toll revenue.

Kudos to Hochul for making the obvious "What in the HELL are you thinking!?" call to the MTA.

 

[Deskgrunt50]

Kudos to Hochul for making the obvious "What in the HELL are you thinking!?" call to the MTA.

Pretty much biz as usual for the MTA. Though, it seemed like an especially ill-advised trial balloon considering the upcoming congestion pricing tolls.

 

[The Big Ragu]

The MTA is a debt-laden mess. $47 billion in debt and climbing by between $500 million and $1 billion a year now. A huge chunk of the revenue it does earn is going out the door in interest payments. It's a really bad situation that they no longer can extend and pretend on. It's why they are desperately trying to come up with money in any way they can, from the new $15 toll they are going to hit cars with in Manhattan below 60th Street. ... to ideas like this.

If the backlash hadn't been so (predictably) swift and outraged Hochul would have been perfectly fine with pressing the marathon organizers for a bit more money. It was more that what is a small amount of money relative to the backlash, wasn't worth the hit they were taking.

 

[dixiehack]

 

[micropolitan guy]

Still living up to the legacy of Robert Moses, I see.

 

[Shropshire Slasher]

Had to read up on the history of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.

Fun fact: The tops of each tower are 1 5/8" farther apart than their bases because of the curvature of the earth.

 

[wicked]

Marathon to MTA: Drop dead.

 

[Deskgrunt50]

Marathon to MTA: Drop dead.

Drop Dead was a Daily News classic.

This should be like “Headless MTA Found on Topless Bridge.” But actually make sense.

 

[Shropshire Slasher]

"S#!t Hits the Span" doesn't suck either.

 

[DanOregon]

Most of these "efforts" by NYC to find more money, seem like the types of things that will cost more than they will bring in. Better idea is to start cutting, then keep cutting.

 

[The Big Ragu]

Had to read up on the history of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.

Fun fact: The tops of each tower are 1 5/8" farther apart than their bases because of the curvature of the earth.

I have driven over that bridge a gazillion times over the last 10 years. I always take the upper level, and EVERY single time I am driving over it. ... I think about Saturday Night Fever.

 

[The Big Ragu]

Most of these "efforts" by NYC to find more money, seem like the types of things that will cost more than they will bring in. Better idea is to start cutting, then keep cutting.

The MTA is a distinct entity. They aren't concerned about how anything affects NYC. The governor of NY controls the board, not the mayor of NYC who gets a few recommendations for board members (so do the county executives from Westchester, Long Island, Dutchess, Orange, Rockland, and Putnam Counties).

It's also corrupt beyond anything you can imagine. There are a bunch of politicians who have used the MTA like a piggy bank. It would be running at a deficit, regardless, but you don't accumulate that level of escalating debt without money walking out the door in paper bags -- primarily with politicians buying votes from organized labor, which has made a mockery of any kind of MTA-related work. It's really an organized crime operation that operates with impunity. Detailing it would not be a short post from me. Nothing related to MTA is about what is a better idea. The "better idea" has consistently been what enriches some corrupt entity, while debt gets left behind setting up a fiscal crisis. Nobody gave a ****. ... until the jig was almost up.

Here is a little reading if you care.

The Most Expensive Mile of Subway Track on Earth (Published 2017)
https://www.amny.com/transit/mta-billion-overtime-employees-rack-up-six-figures-extra-pay/

 

[Brooklyn Bridge]

It's also corrupt beyond anything you can imagine.

MTA can’t even integrate LIRR and Metro-North. So wasteful.

 

[BYH 2: Electric Boogaloo]

I have driven over that bridge a gazillion times over the last 10 years. I always take the upper level, and EVERY single time I am driving over it. ... I think about Saturday Night Fever.

Pay up, *****!!! :D

 

[Brooklyn Bridge]

Such a terrible look that Hochul got the MTA to back down.

MTA calls off plan to charge NYC marathon after governor says "fix this mess" - CBS New York

 

[YMCA B-Baller]

I have driven over that bridge a gazillion times over the last 10 years. I always take the upper level, and EVERY single time I am driving over it. ... I think about Saturday Night Fever.

Can you dig it? I knew that you could!

 

[goalmouth]

I thought the Port Authority managed the bridges.

 

[Starman]

Such a terrible look that Hochul got the MTA to back down.

MTA calls off plan to charge NYC marathon after governor says "fix this mess" - CBS New York

Does the governor have direct authority over the MTA?