The Norwood News got its wish (“Not So Fast,” June 28-July 11, 2007 editorial) with the agreement on congestion pricing negotiated on July 19. Before any tolls can be imposed, congestion pricing will be studied by a 17-person commission and its recommendations must be approved first by the New York City Council and then by the state legislature. This provides a golden opportunity to refine the current congestion pricing plan and to make it fair to the entire city.

Congestion pricing itself is a good idea, which I support, but it would have a disruptive and costly effect on the lives of thousands of New Yorkers from the outer boroughs. While traffic would be reduced in Manhattan, a more crowded subway commute would be a certainty and residents of the outer boroughs would have no direct benefits. This is very unfair.

The fatal flaw in the original proposal was suggesting that revenues would be used for vague “transit needs” or maintenance of tunnels and bridges. Based on these assertions, opponents easily branded congestion pricing as just another tax. Even pro-mass transit Assemblyman Richard Brodsky came out against the proposal since it did not specify subway construction. If the revenues were legally dedicated for specific pro-outer borough projects, such as Second Avenue subway extensions into the outer boroughs and subway improvements, chances of securing popular support from the outer boroughs would soar.

The second major flaw in the plan is that the major subways lines would be overwhelmed by the massive increase in ridership. The Transit Authority’s proposal for four new express and four new local bus lines is a good start, but much more is needed and much more can be done.

Now, Bronx elected officials have the opportunity to define and to campaign for mass transit improvements in the Bronx before supporting any new congestion pricing plan. In addition to the Bronx Arterial Needs Major Investment Study (MIS), cited by the Norwood News, there are many effective mass transit ideas out there: all day express service on the Concourse line, a new Concourse subway local-express which would follow the A line routing south of 59th Street and eliminate the need for transfers, more limited bus service, etc. Calling a Bronx Mass Transit Task Force to pull these ideas together and to gain public support is an absolute necessity.

Will residents of the outer boroughs ever emerge winners in mass transit? They will if their elected officials do their part. Will the elected officials rise to the occasion?

John Rozankowski
Bedford Park