Straphangers around the city would miss out on extensive new bus service if Albany politicians continue their stalemate over a proposed MTA bailout plan, officials said yesterday.
The proposal, authored by former MTA chairman Richard Ravitch, calls for bus routes to be added to at least 19 neighborhoods, including College Point, South Jamaica and Whitestone in Queens, Bensonhurst, East Flatbush and Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, and Soundview and Hunts Point in The Bronx.
The plan would create $5 tolls on the 13 East and Harlem river bridges and tax business payrolls 33 cents for every $100.
Skeptical City Council members grilled the MTA over how it would use the $600 million generated from tolls. Councilman John Liu said the revenue was only earmarked for improving bus service and not the overall day-to-day operating budget.
Ravitch and Hilary Ring, the MTA’s government affairs director, disagreed, saying it could be used either way.