Suozzi - Congestion Mitigation Pricing on LIE

At some point someone has to realize we need money for food.....

Suozzi: Rush-hour fee on LIE

BY MICHAEL ROTHFELD
Newsday Staff Writer

May 6, 2006

For legions of gridlocked motorists, only one fate might be worse than sitting on the Long Island Expressway at rush hour: paying for the privilege.

But that is exactly what Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi -- a long-shot candidate for governor -- proposed Friday as a solution to regional traffic woes and a shortage of funding for mass transportation.

"You would, for example, along the Long Island Expressway, monitor the traffic at certain times of day and try and charge people who are trying to use those roads during high traffic times," Suozzi said at the Regional Plan Association's conference in Manhattan.

The idea is called "congestion mitigation pricing," and it has been used in London and elsewhere. The theory is that users of public infrastructure should pay for it and the added cost will relieve traffic by pushing more people to mass transit.

"I think most people would react very negatively to it," said Mitchel Pally, vice president for the Long Island Association, a business group. "Forcing them to pay to use something that was in the past free is a very difficult concept for people to accept."

Suozzi, who sought to portray his proposal as different than a toll, said the system could use electronic payment such as E-ZPass on "every congested road in the region" heading to Manhattan. He said he wouldn't back such an idea for Manhattan's East River bridges because it would be unfair to commuters from Brooklyn and Queens.

While it might seem odd for a politician from Long Island -- perhaps the state's most pavement-dependent region -- to endorse tolls on local highways, Suozzi said he didn't think his constituents would object.

"I could see them being reasonable people," he said. "The reality is that everybody's sick and tired of the traffic."

Lee Koppelman, executive director of the Long Island Regional Planning Board, said the concept has been advanced by academics for decades, but the auto industry and anti-tax advocates have blocked it.

"From a political point of view, it takes a lot of courage to make such a recommendation, particularly in view of gasoline that is more than $3 a gallon," Koppelman said. He could only guess why Suozzi, who trails far behind State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer in the governor's race, would make such a bold step: "This certainly catches everyone's attention."

That was the case with two drivers at a Mobil station on South Oyster Bay Road in Syosset on Friday evening.

"I think it's ridiculous," said Colin Stephenson, 33, of Belle Harbor. "I wouldn't vote for him for that specific reason."

Tricia Knight, 38, of Hicksville, said she "wouldn't be happy."

"I really don't think it would stop people from driving," Knight said. "They are going to drive no matter what."

Staff writers Samuel Bruchey and Jennifer Sinco Kelleher contributed to this story.

Copyright 2006 Newsday Inc.

Re: Suozzi - Congestion Mitigation Pricing on LIE

Re: Suozzi - Congestion Mitigation Pricing on LIE

London has a congestion charge to drive your car into the city center (I think it was 8 pounds each way) and it's pricey on top of $7 a gallon gasoline (with exchange rate).

The point is though... it's London! They have alternatives... a great public transportation system and many people live close enough they can walk or bike to work.

I don't see how his exact plan will work when people have 30 miles commutes each way. TRust me I would take a train if they offered one (I could sit relax, and grade my papers) but there is no train from Northport to Seaford.

Re: Suozzi - Congestion Mitigation Pricing on LIE

This idea is asinine. If LI had a mass transit system that was viable, then maybe but people HAVE to drive and they will continue to do so at the times they have to. There just aren't enough buses and bus routes, and there are no train lines that run North to South.

Re: Suozzi - Congestion Mitigation Pricing on LIE

Wow, what a great way to pizz off voters!

I can't imagine the mess that would exist at these areas where they put the toll booths. A few years ago Bloomberg wanted to put a toll on the bridges to Manhattan, and one argument against it was the mess that would be created at the toll area.

I don't see this happening. If it did, you'd also have huger messes on the non-toll roads of all the people who don't want to pay.

Re: Suozzi - Congestion Mitigation Pricing on LIE

Do they want everyone to move off of LI?!?!?!?!?!? Most ppl struggle to live here to begin with

Re: Suozzi - Congestion Mitigation Pricing on LIE

IMHO, Suozzi is a moron! I cannot believe he suggested this asinine idea! I agree with all of you, if LI had an excellent mass transit system it would be a different story, but LI does not.
How about building a 2nd hywy over the LIE? They have these in Florida to ease congestion. Also, in Florida they have the sawgrass expressway which people pay a small fee to use BUT there is another road that is free that runs parallel to the sawgrass. So, people can decide if they want to pay $$ and arrive to their destination faster or stay on the free road. The only other alternative is the NSP and that runs parallel to the LIE only in certain areas.

I think Suozzi wants everyone to move off LI.

Re: Suozzi - Congestion Mitigation Pricing on LIE

Posted by dandr10199

IMHO, Suozzi is a moron! I cannot believe he suggested this asinine idea! I agree with all of you, if LI had an excellent mass transit system it would be a different story, but LI does not.
How about building a 2nd hywy over the LIE? They have these in Florida to ease congestion. Also, in Florida they have the sawgrass expressway which people pay a small fee to use BUT there is another road that is free that runs parallel to the sawgrass. So, people can decide if they want to pay $$ and arrive to their destination faster or stay on the free road. The only other alternative is the NSP and that runs parallel to the LIE only in certain areas.

I think Suozzi wants everyone to move off LI.

Re: Suozzi - Congestion Mitigation Pricing on LIE

Won't happen....

but even if it did there are the SS and NS.

Re: Suozzi - Congestion Mitigation Pricing on LIE

I just love the fact that it all seems like people want to get stuck in traffic that long every day....like they choose to drive then..... not, of course, that their jobs let them out at a certain time and they need to go home.....