© John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
(New York, NY) – As the MTA attempts to plow ahead with Manhattan congestion pricing, it’s eyeing the outer boroughs as a way to generate more revenue. Specifically, the transit agency is threatening to block the New York City Marathon from using the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, if they don’t pay a $750,000 toll each November when the race takes place.
The MTA argues they’re entitled to such a fee because they lose revenue each year by closing down the bridge. They’ve indicated if the New York Road Runners (who organize the race) don’t fork over the $750K they will only allow the race to use one span of the bridge. That would mean cutting down on the number of entrants allowed each year.
It seems the New York Road Runners are open to a negotiation of sorts, but they also note the MTA benefits from the marathon because subway traffic increases significantly.
Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey blasted the marathon toll idea and called it a cash grab. He’s used similar language when discussing congestion pricing. And whereas the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge connects Brooklyn and Staten Island, Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella blasted the move as well — saying it was just the MTA trying to make up for billions of dollars it has already lost or wasted.
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo’s aide Melissa DeRosa took to X and shared her thoughts. She suggested this is how a city taxes itself into decline, and openly wondered if people want the marathon to go elsewhere — like Boston, DC, or San Francisco.
