This morning, as I skimmed the New York section of the New York Times, I noticed a quote that intrigued me in the article "Unlikely Opponents of Bridge Tolls: Transit Riders."  One transit rider, named Serena Burch, remarked "Why should the bridge commuters pay for the subway commuters in Brooklyn?"  Obviously, her point, and the point of the writer, William Neuman, is that imposing bridge tolls to bailout the Mass Transit Authority are so unfair that even transit riders are opposed to them, for bridge commuters' money would go to subsidize public transportation.  Yet there is a gaping doughnut hole in the middle of this argument, one that never occurred to many legislators, commuters, transit riders, and even the prestigious New York Times: roads (especially highways) and bridges used by commuters are usually fully paid for by the state-yet these commuters often do not have to pay tolls; therefore, it could be said that transit riders-with their tax dollars-are subsidizing commuters. In fact, people should be asking why, when it is necessary to increase mass transit to fight global warming, pollution, and congestion, such an unfair burden is placed on mass transit riders (who are usually poorer than other commuters).

Right now, Kevin Ruiz, a 19 year old resident of Jackson Heights, Queens, pays $81 a month for his MetroCard (according to the article "Unlikely Opponents of Bridge Tolls: Transit Riders").  Soon, this price could rise to $103, if the MTA's proposed fare increases are necessary.  Yet other commuters pay $0 to cross into Manhattan over several bridges.  The government pays for both the bridges and mass transit lines.  But in a time of economic crisis, the burden is placed on the shoulders of people who cannot afford cars, and are currently struggling to weather the crisis.  Is this really fair?

In the end, bridge tolls might discourage people from driving to work.  Those people might consider mass transit.  Why don't we let them?  Cars pollute the city and contribute to global warming-which ironically will inundate the city if it is left unchecked.  On the other hand, increasing mass transit fares will probably cause people to forgo a clean, efficient and environmentally sound form of transportation.  Bridge tolls, in the long run, are necessary for NYC and the planet. 

Right now proposals for bridge tolls are being stalled by less than a handful of State Senators, some of whom are Democrats.  Unfortunately, Albany seems to have already discarded the idea without a fight; they are afraid of vexing commuters.   Our representatives are supposed to be representing the people, but they have fallen asleep on the job.  However, if proponents of the MTA make a lot of noise, the bridge tolls will be given a second look, and they may be adopted.  Then, the MTA wouldn't have to cut services and drastically raise fares.

Our politicians need to wake up, and they need to hear your voices.  Speak out, protest, write letters, be polite, be firm, you will be heard.  We must not let NYC public transportation be gutted because there was not the political willpower to impose minimal bridge tolls.  Speak out for the environment; speak out for the poor; or at least speak out for yourselves.