Dec 3, 2008 7:09 pm US/Eastern
Paterson: MTA Bailout Plan Is 'The Only Way'
Governor Doesn't Paint Pretty Picture Of Cash-Strapped MTA's Situation; Ravitch Report Expected Thursday
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
New York Gov. David Paterson issued some stern words to New Yorkers on Wednesday about the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's cash crunch.
According to Paterson, There are only two choices: doomsday fare hikes and service cuts or a bailout plan that itself asks for sacrifices from drivers, employers and straphangers.
It's a plan CBS 2 HD told you about on Tuesday.
Paterson was trafficking in tough news Wednesday for drivers and people who use mass transit.
"The message we keep trying to deliver is that we are in very difficult fiscal times and so it's either going to be fare hikes or tolls, and a combination of payroll taxes," Paterson said.
The governor was referring to a bailout plan being developed by former MTA chairman Richard Ravitch that would put doomsday fare hikes and service cuts on hold by making everyone pay something to save the mass transit system.
"It's the only way," Paterson said.
As CBS 2 HD first told you the bailout plan involves putting tolls on the four East River bridges, a payroll tax of less than half a percent for employers in the MTA ridership area and a fare hike of about 8 percent instead of the 23 percent monster fare hike talked about by the MTA.
"What the Ravitch Commission did is they came in and found a way to reduce the fare increases to 8 percent by distributing the service to all those who use the system," Paterson said.
CBS 2 HD asked New Yorkers to make the choice: would they rather see them raise subway fares or put tolls on the East River bridges like the Queensborough Bridge?
"It's a tough choice," said Bob Verge of Queens. "I take the subways normally so I say raise the fare or the bridge in mean."
"Tolls on the East River bridges -- those people can afford a car and they can afford the gas and can afford to drive so they should have to pay for it," said Rita Ritter of Forest Hills.
"Maybe put tolls on the bridge," said Emily Aliperti of Astoria.
"Raise the fares … raise the fares, rather than tolls," added Willie Bryant of Staten Island. "I just think it's a little too much ... the traffic and stuff coming through. I think it will be overcrowded with cars anyway."
"I guess the tolls. They've been getting away with it for a very long time," another woman said.
The so-called "Ravitch Report" is expected to be released Thursday, with Gov. Paterson and Mayor Michael Bloomberg in attendance.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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