A bigger-than-planned rush-hour toll hike on bridges and tunnels run by the MTA could cut traffic and pave the way for driver-friendly off-peak discounts, a consumer advocacy group says.
The so-called “value pricing” toll plan would give the MTA the revenue increase it wants and also give something back to drivers, said a study by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign.
“This is the perfect time to implement a system like this,” said Jon Orcutt, Tri-State’s associate director.
“The MTA needs to offer the public something positive. This could be one way for them to do that.”
The transit advocacy group said it analyzed driver responses to past MTA toll hikes and calculated a “value pricing” plan that would charge motorists higher fees during rush hour and less at other times.
The MTA has said it plans to raise tolls on its bridges and tunnels by as much as 50 cents, to $4 in most cases, in a plan that would raise an estimated $109 million to $122 million a year in added revenue.
On the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, where drivers pay only one way, the toll would likely increase from $7 to $8.
The state agency said it needs to raise tolls along with fares on its buses, subways and commuter railroads in order to close a $952 million budget gap.
But the Tri-State report suggested the MTA could raise tolls to $5 during rush hour and maintain off-peak tolls at the current $3.50 – giving drivers a discount as well as ease traffic congestion.
“People who travel off-peak would pay less, and those who travel during rush hour would get some congestion relief,” Orcutt said.
The move wouldn’t have much of a financial impact on the MTA, according to the study, which projected the variable toll plan would raise between $95 million and $113 million each year – almost as much as the flat rate plan.
Both the New Jersey Turnpike and the Port Authority introduced time-variable tolls two years ago – decreasing rush-hour traffic and attracting droves of drivers during off-peak times.
“This isn’t a new concept,” Orcutt said. “It’s been tried before, and it’s worked. The MTA also needs to take a look at this system.”
The MTA is holding a series of public hearings on its toll and fare increases.
The MTA operates the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, the Queens-Midtown Tunnel, the Triborough Bridge and the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, among others.
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COSTLY CROSSINGS
How MTA’s toll plan compares to Tri-State Transportation Campaign’s:
MTA:
Tolls (one-way trip) $4
Added revenue per year $109-$122 million
Reduction in peak traffic 0.4-1.4%
Time saved (roundtrip) 4-17 seconds
Tri-State Transportation Campaign:
Tolls (one-way trip) $3.50 off-peak; $5 peak
Added revenue a year $95-$113 million
Reduction in peak traffic 4.1-11.8%
Time saved (roundtrip) 49-142 seconds
Source: Tri-State Transportation Campaign