New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. issued the following statement concerning today’s report issued by the Commission on Metropolitan Transportation Authority Financing:

“I first want to applaud the Commission, and particularly Chairman Richard Ravitch, a man who has long served our City and State with courage and distinction.  I support the Commission’s efforts, especially with regards to staving off a large fare increase in the midst of a recession, and am eager to work to explore a number of options.

The proposals for major improvements in bus service and reforms at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority are very welcome. However, I continue to have serious concerns about instituting tolls on the Harlem and East River bridges.

It is my hope that my recent proposal be considered as a substantive alternative to generate comparable revenue while meeting environmental concerns. Notably, my plan would not involve the major costs of administering tolls.

I believe the institution of an additional weight-based surcharge of $100 for vehicles weighing 2,300 pounds or less - plus 9 cents for every pound of curb weight over that amount - would be a fairer and more regionally equitable way to spread the fiscal burden.

My proposal would generate approximately $1 billion from the entire Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District, which includes the 12 New York counties covered by the MTA. As I have indicated, most urgently, this revenue would help close the current MTA budget gap and help fund the agency’s 2010-2014 capital program.”

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