MTA Funding Plan Released

Commuters may not have to dig as deep into their pockets for bus or subway fare. A report by the Ravitch Commission says new corporate payroll taxes could reduce the need for next years proposed 23 percent fare and toll increase.

The state commission, suggests taxing employers in the MTA's service area, tolls on the East River Bridges, and reductions in the MTA's administrative overhead. The plan will be formally presented tomorrow. It will have to be approved by the legislature, whose members have resisted bridge tolls and tax hikes in the past.

Gov. Paterson says the recommendations should be takes with a grain of salt because they won't entirely eliminate the need for a hike.