Yesterday NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson announced a plan (available here) to raise over $1 billion to fund the MTA -- more than enough to halt planned service cuts -- by increasing vehicle registration fees in part of New York State.

Under the plan, vehicles in the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District (New York City, Long Island, and Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Westchester, and Rockland Counties) would be subject to an annual fee of $100 for vehicles weighing 2,300 pounds or less. The fee would increase by 9 cents a pound for vehicles over 2,300 pounds, incentivizing lighter (and generally more fuel-efficient) vehicles.

This is a sensible plan because it recognizes that many non-transit riders benefit from transit and should contribute to the system. As Transportation Alternatives' Paul White said in a press statement, "What rebuilt the subways 25 years ago was the pact that everyone who benefits from transit–including drivers–pays into the system. ... Straphangers can't shoulder the entire burden in these tough times alone."

Thompson said the program could complement a residential parking permit program that would allow only NYC-registered vehicles to park in certain areas and that many elected officials support. Such a program would make it easier for residents to find parking and dissuade out-of-state registration of vehicles to avoid the proposed fee. He also said that combining his plan with a reinstated commuter tax would raise $1.8 billion annually.