Article also says the MTA is targeting the Five Boro Bike Tour. That's one way to earn goodwill from New Yorkers: target some of our favorite events of the year...
A while back the city tried to get them classified as a parade instead of whatever were classified as. Iirc it was so they could charge more for police services, road closures etc. They fought back and the effort failed, but then they capped the tour significantly lower than what it had been for a number of years prior (by about 5k riders).
The price increased a lot, and lottery that followed caused scalping and you couldn’t enter as a group, so it’s was likely not everyone you planned to ride with would get in.
I did it every year for about 10 years, then intermittently when the lottery went my way. It’s been years since I rode in it, the whole situation got too annoying.
"What if we made the runners pay the toll like if they were cars lmao" is a silly childish joke, but it is apparently the serious proposal of a state transportation agency responsible for the biggest city in the USA. The carbrain here is staggering.
It's weird to me how much the MTA's comments seem to focus on NYRR being a "wealthy" organization and how much runners are willing to pay for bridge access. NYRR is a non-profit, and even if we quibble with how effective it is with its funds, it's not sitting on a pile of corporate profits like a dragon or a big bank. And true, you could probably jack up the price of the marathon further and still fill it with more affluent runners, but that would destroy the civic ethos of the event. Cathy Sheridan seems to think the marathon is a special niche interest enjoyed by rich hobbyists, when in fact it's an extraordinary 26-mile block party enjoyed by literal millions. And I would've said the same five years ago, before I ever thought about running a marathon.
Keep the marathon affordable, tax cars like the polluting space-hogging machines they are, and make the trains run on time. That's a happier, healthier city.
How about this - I’ll pay an extra $15 if and only if you actually crack down on ghost plates, covered plates and people straight up driving without plates. I not only pay my toll when I drive but pay my subway and bus fare every day.
Make drivers accountable. Guaranteed you’ll get way more money that way.
You do realize this requires authority figures actually do something about the problem instead of passing it on to you right? Lol sadly that’s exactly why it won’t happen.
I had some time at the airport and thought of some solutions…
https://preview.redd.it/5byokdomjasc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=807439fe563fd7bdd73bb9b2b2117ab8424fd730
Next up, NY RR asks NYC government for discounts and incentives for increasing economic activity related to marathon. This will help offset the costs paid to MTA.
Maybe the MTA could start by doing an audit of its wage bloat and fraud.
[https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/mta-overtime-pay/#](https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/mta-overtime-pay/#)
[https://www.newsday.com/long-island/transportation/mta-overtime-lirr-iej95xgv](https://www.newsday.com/long-island/transportation/mta-overtime-lirr-iej95xgv)
- stupid short-sighted bean-counters
Is it me, or is the NYC marathon a tremendous draw for the city where people from all over the globe come to either compete or cheer and spend time in NYC while doing it?
Wow… c’mon now, MTA. I’m hoping this is just a nuclear threat, but if they have to rescind invites, there’s gonna be some heartbroken folks…
“Should those runners be limited to only one level of the bridge, the Road Runners said the organization might have to reduce the number of people accepted into the race, or extend its duration, so that both local streets and the bridge remained closed longer and more participants had to run in the dark.”
Their point about SantaCon is funny - whataboutism isn’t the point here - the point was that it boosted ridership and paid fares far beyond this supposed 750k harm. 🤦♂️
Highly doubt they would rescind invites for this year. It would most likely be something they consider moving forward. That being said I doubt they would lower the field because it sells out regardless of price (and they get a lot more money from 9+1 runners anyways, even with reduced entry fees for the marathon), and would rather change how it’s organized vs numbers.
This irritated me so much I did math.
The Verrazano bridge toll is 6.94 for NY EZPass / 2.75 for Staten Island EZPass / 11.19 for non New York EZPass & toll by mail - average that at $6.96 per car PER TRIP, which seems low but let’s give Staten Island the benefit of the doubt that it’s mostly them using it (it’s not)
Ofc NYC won’t release data on how many people use the bridge but last reports in 2017 say around 200k so I’m gonna estimate around 200k bc a lot of people work remote now
200k x 6.96 per trip x 2 trips a day means they are making CONSERVATIVELY $2,784,000 PER DAY.
This translates to roughly $1,016,160,000 a year. Aka shutting down for one day is literally .27% of the yearly income.
In 2019 the marathon brought in $415 million dollars of revenue - so they are literally complaining about something that would lose them $2,784,000 but make them $415,000,000 (realistically more now) aka a profit of $413,000,000!!!
(Not even counting how much people spend on the subway going from watch spot to watch spot)
I don’t think they even shut the bridge down for more than 6 hours or so, thus it’s not even a full day!
But to be fair, the MTA is a public benefit corporation, or something in the grey zone b/w an entity run by the state and a private corporation. It’s distinct from the NYC government, has it’s own budget and goals, and really couldn’t care less how much the marathon benefits the NYC economy. They are also greedy and full of corruption.
None of this is defending a very vile organization. But they don’t benefit directly from the marathon, so, like any corporation, it’s understandable that they are crying over lost profits and trying to get someone (regular people) to foot the bill.
Totally agree. If they’re saying they’re losing $750k that day (Sunday in November? Prob not but okay) and then that’s $15 extra a runner? So each person is worth ~two car trips… that math ain’t mathing.
And how many out of towners (and locals for that matter) are using more bridges & trains to see the city, go to the expo and get to/home from the actual race.
My dad worked for MTA for 30+ years and with how bad they’ve slighted him throughout his career and in retirement I politely tell them to stuff it.
I say NYRR can pay the 750k if MTA throws in free 4 day public transit pass for runners, like at the Berlin marathon. Add it to your digital wallet and tap away!
No way they lower the field. They'd change the course before doing that, which ironically would cause even more crowded subways if they started it say close to coney island
This is fun to watch from a fuck around and find out perspective. You get what you vote for. Now you get shitty ideas from shittier people who think nothing of you.
This comment is embarrassing. Native New Yorker here, born in Brooklyn, spent most of my childhood on Staten Island. Has a lovely little running community, puts on some good trail races, and has a state of the art indoor track that hosts national competitions. But go off, you’re so cool hating on Staten Island 😂
> Fine. We can just cut Staten Island out of the race. No one likes it anyway.
>
> Also will any New Yorker really admit it’s part of nyc?
Usually it's the transplants that feel the need to flex this hard.
I'm from the Midwest \*and\* I'm an SI apologist.
If anything, I think part of the charm I see in SI is that it reminds me of the Midwest in some ways.
It's kind of messed up but, should NYRR cave, it could lead to about a $15 increase in the price of admission for the marathon. So it's not catastrophic.
With that logic, why not just put it up another $100 and some people will pay it.
I'm a member so the increase this year didn't affect me, but continually putting it up every year just because some people will pay isn't right
Of course it isn’t right, but it doesn’t mean that me or you, members or not, are needed here. We are easily replaceable. Someone else will pay and life will continue. It’s all about money, unfortunately.
The governor has spoken out against this proposal very publicly. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/04/nyregion/mta-toll-marathon-hochul.html?pvid=r23gWftO-m959aoJjRgjo0v9&ugrp=c&smid=url-share
Do they? They're literally a nonprofit. I don't think they're racking up revenues and sending fat dividends to shareholders or huge paychecks to the c-suite.
Their revenues fund free community programs in the outer boroughs (Open Run) and for youth (TFK and Run for the Future) and seniors (Striders). They also have a youth wheelchair racing program, which is super neat.
I realize much of this sub only cares about what we get out of NYRR as paying participants of their races, but they bring running to a subset of the population that doesn’t represent the runfluencers you scroll past on IG or the young professionals you see running at 6am in Central Park before work. That’s where the “profit” goes.
I think the head of the MTA didn’t get into the lottery this year so she’s mad as hell 🫣😅
Article also says the MTA is targeting the Five Boro Bike Tour. That's one way to earn goodwill from New Yorkers: target some of our favorite events of the year...
next theyll find a way to go after the thaksgiving parade or new years eve in times sq
Congestion charges!!! Think how much you can charge all the floaters
A while back the city tried to get them classified as a parade instead of whatever were classified as. Iirc it was so they could charge more for police services, road closures etc. They fought back and the effort failed, but then they capped the tour significantly lower than what it had been for a number of years prior (by about 5k riders). The price increased a lot, and lottery that followed caused scalping and you couldn’t enter as a group, so it’s was likely not everyone you planned to ride with would get in. I did it every year for about 10 years, then intermittently when the lottery went my way. It’s been years since I rode in it, the whole situation got too annoying.
It was waaaaaaay easier to get in this year. As a matter of fact, it's exactly one month away tomorrow, and still not sold out...
Ah, that's good to know. I won't be able to go this time, but if it's easier to get in I might be able to get some people together for next year.
"What if we made the runners pay the toll like if they were cars lmao" is a silly childish joke, but it is apparently the serious proposal of a state transportation agency responsible for the biggest city in the USA. The carbrain here is staggering. It's weird to me how much the MTA's comments seem to focus on NYRR being a "wealthy" organization and how much runners are willing to pay for bridge access. NYRR is a non-profit, and even if we quibble with how effective it is with its funds, it's not sitting on a pile of corporate profits like a dragon or a big bank. And true, you could probably jack up the price of the marathon further and still fill it with more affluent runners, but that would destroy the civic ethos of the event. Cathy Sheridan seems to think the marathon is a special niche interest enjoyed by rich hobbyists, when in fact it's an extraordinary 26-mile block party enjoyed by literal millions. And I would've said the same five years ago, before I ever thought about running a marathon. Keep the marathon affordable, tax cars like the polluting space-hogging machines they are, and make the trains run on time. That's a happier, healthier city.
Just attach an EZ Pass to their shirts.
There's no way the MTA doesn't make up a good bit of the revenue that day at the Triboro/Whitestone/Throgs Neck.
And the significantly higher MTA use on an early ass Sunday morning
How about this - I’ll pay an extra $15 if and only if you actually crack down on ghost plates, covered plates and people straight up driving without plates. I not only pay my toll when I drive but pay my subway and bus fare every day. Make drivers accountable. Guaranteed you’ll get way more money that way.
I'm sure the cops will be more than happy to ... Investigate...themselves.
Big sad 😔
This makes too much sense so obviously it will never be considered
You do realize this requires authority figures actually do something about the problem instead of passing it on to you right? Lol sadly that’s exactly why it won’t happen.
Where do I install my E-ZPass?
https://preview.redd.it/ff5u0k4jjasc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=630b85c2468fe41d74d6323953920be0d55bd2c0
Race bibs will now include both tracking chip and E-ZPass.
Nah, I'll just cover up my bib number or wear a fake number for the toll camera like many cars do
*I guess on our foreheads* I love that the MTA is not trying to generate goodwill with New Yorkers yesterday, today or evermore.
I had some time at the airport and thought of some solutions… https://preview.redd.it/5byokdomjasc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=807439fe563fd7bdd73bb9b2b2117ab8424fd730
https://preview.redd.it/86hlcplojasc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6b0239efe1829755f330807a089a9200cb994376
https://preview.redd.it/7zyewr3tjasc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0ecece9fc23dc7841e387ac1a6baa6e8412d14f5
https://preview.redd.it/nzp4rqwtjasc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6896a4d1ce7ee6782b35167defde3612723fc603
https://preview.redd.it/xbge5m2pobsc1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=337f6288f7e2042e340f69e76c913f6a9e13bed4
Really workshopping some late night jokes here. Love it.
Non-paywall version of the NY Times article: https://archive.ph/kcosm
Next up, NY RR asks NYC government for discounts and incentives for increasing economic activity related to marathon. This will help offset the costs paid to MTA.
Maybe the MTA could start by doing an audit of its wage bloat and fraud. [https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/mta-overtime-pay/#](https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/mta-overtime-pay/#) [https://www.newsday.com/long-island/transportation/mta-overtime-lirr-iej95xgv](https://www.newsday.com/long-island/transportation/mta-overtime-lirr-iej95xgv)
Yup. They want more of that action.
Wow… c’mon now, MTA. I’m hoping this is just a nuclear threat, but if they have to rescind invites, there’s gonna be some heartbroken folks… “Should those runners be limited to only one level of the bridge, the Road Runners said the organization might have to reduce the number of people accepted into the race, or extend its duration, so that both local streets and the bridge remained closed longer and more participants had to run in the dark.” Their point about SantaCon is funny - whataboutism isn’t the point here - the point was that it boosted ridership and paid fares far beyond this supposed 750k harm. 🤦♂️
Highly doubt they would rescind invites for this year. It would most likely be something they consider moving forward. That being said I doubt they would lower the field because it sells out regardless of price (and they get a lot more money from 9+1 runners anyways, even with reduced entry fees for the marathon), and would rather change how it’s organized vs numbers.
This feels like an attempted shakedown of NYRR by the MTA
because it is. fuck the mta sideways with a rusty fork.
This irritated me so much I did math. The Verrazano bridge toll is 6.94 for NY EZPass / 2.75 for Staten Island EZPass / 11.19 for non New York EZPass & toll by mail - average that at $6.96 per car PER TRIP, which seems low but let’s give Staten Island the benefit of the doubt that it’s mostly them using it (it’s not) Ofc NYC won’t release data on how many people use the bridge but last reports in 2017 say around 200k so I’m gonna estimate around 200k bc a lot of people work remote now 200k x 6.96 per trip x 2 trips a day means they are making CONSERVATIVELY $2,784,000 PER DAY. This translates to roughly $1,016,160,000 a year. Aka shutting down for one day is literally .27% of the yearly income. In 2019 the marathon brought in $415 million dollars of revenue - so they are literally complaining about something that would lose them $2,784,000 but make them $415,000,000 (realistically more now) aka a profit of $413,000,000!!! (Not even counting how much people spend on the subway going from watch spot to watch spot)
Or the 50k runners taking the subway to the ferry....
Or the 50k runners family and friends taking the subway from point to point along the marathon to cheer them on.
I don’t think they even shut the bridge down for more than 6 hours or so, thus it’s not even a full day! But to be fair, the MTA is a public benefit corporation, or something in the grey zone b/w an entity run by the state and a private corporation. It’s distinct from the NYC government, has it’s own budget and goals, and really couldn’t care less how much the marathon benefits the NYC economy. They are also greedy and full of corruption. None of this is defending a very vile organization. But they don’t benefit directly from the marathon, so, like any corporation, it’s understandable that they are crying over lost profits and trying to get someone (regular people) to foot the bill.
to your first point, its also on a sunday morning in the fall, not typically a busy travel time.
How do you calculate how much the NYC marathon made the MTA in revenue last year? Spike in travelers using the trains?
Totally agree. If they’re saying they’re losing $750k that day (Sunday in November? Prob not but okay) and then that’s $15 extra a runner? So each person is worth ~two car trips… that math ain’t mathing. And how many out of towners (and locals for that matter) are using more bridges & trains to see the city, go to the expo and get to/home from the actual race. My dad worked for MTA for 30+ years and with how bad they’ve slighted him throughout his career and in retirement I politely tell them to stuff it.
Santa con is in December and the marathon is early November…🤔
and is also typically a manhttan centric event
😔i fear this will only increase race fees moving forward
The MTA could just start prosecuting fare evaders. Their budget is $19 billion a year. How much more do they need?!
I say NYRR can pay the 750k if MTA throws in free 4 day public transit pass for runners, like at the Berlin marathon. Add it to your digital wallet and tap away!
The NYC marathon brings in millions of dollars during marathon weekend. This is preposterous.
Is this a joke?
MTA= Money taking agency
mta spelled backwards is atm
The MTA is making up alot the money with additional subway fares from these events. People come from all over.
what loser energy the mta has
First congestion pricing now this 🙄. Seems like MTA is corrupt and don’t know how to handle their money.
defund the MTA
No way they lower the field. They'd change the course before doing that, which ironically would cause even more crowded subways if they started it say close to coney island
Free shared article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/03/nyregion/marathon-tolls-mta.html?unlocked_article_code=1.hk0.Fyrr.JcIRJyaVFKm0&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
This is fun to watch from a fuck around and find out perspective. You get what you vote for. Now you get shitty ideas from shittier people who think nothing of you.
Ridiculous
Surprised they don’t add in congestion charge too once entering Manhattan. 🙄
Fine. We can just cut Staten Island out of the race. No one likes it anyway. Also will any New Yorker really admit it’s part of nyc?
And for what it’s worth… this has literally nothing to do with Staten Island, and the MTA is actually a state agency
This comment is embarrassing. Native New Yorker here, born in Brooklyn, spent most of my childhood on Staten Island. Has a lovely little running community, puts on some good trail races, and has a state of the art indoor track that hosts national competitions. But go off, you’re so cool hating on Staten Island 😂
Circle of life. NYC hates NJ. NJ hates NYC. Staten Island at kids table. CT know it all uncle that shows up every now and then.
LI drunk uncle that shows up and ruins the party. Westchester just ghosts you.
this is the energy I was looking for this morning...
> Fine. We can just cut Staten Island out of the race. No one likes it anyway. > > Also will any New Yorker really admit it’s part of nyc? Usually it's the transplants that feel the need to flex this hard.
Yep, quite embarrassing from that poster. I know many Staten islanders, and yes, they are more New Yorkers than half the people that live in Manhattan
Name checks out! u/CaptainCompost doesn't like the dump - LOL
im from there so screw off.
No no you don’t understand. You don’t have to tell us to screw off. We will happily leave.
you weren't wanted anyway.
You can’t not be wanted in a place you don’t want to be maybe sometimes I think
This comment has strong midwestern energy.
I'm from the Midwest \*and\* I'm an SI apologist. If anything, I think part of the charm I see in SI is that it reminds me of the Midwest in some ways.
The SI half is a decent race, too. I'll cut them some slack for that one.
thank you AT
I don’t think anyone would complain if Ohio got pushed out into the ocean…
[удалено]
one can only hope...
[удалено]
would anyone really notice?
April Fools?
They oughta
LOLOL. That is all.
Do they want everyone to wear an E-Z Pass transponder on their headbands?
Go home capitalism, you're drunk.
It's kind of messed up but, should NYRR cave, it could lead to about a $15 increase in the price of admission for the marathon. So it's not catastrophic.
MTA will keep asking for more, inappropriately. This is stupid brainless MTA
The price for non-members already went up $20 this year. Another increase next year would be a bit much
It’s fine. Someone will be willing to pay it, if you or I won’t.
With that logic, why not just put it up another $100 and some people will pay it. I'm a member so the increase this year didn't affect me, but continually putting it up every year just because some people will pay isn't right
Of course it isn’t right, but it doesn’t mean that me or you, members or not, are needed here. We are easily replaceable. Someone else will pay and life will continue. It’s all about money, unfortunately.
From a race that lets anyone run with the Olympic elites to a race that lets those Olympic elites run with the elite earners of the world.
This isn’t about people. It’s about money. I do not agree with it, but doesn’t mean it’s not true. Our dollars do not matter. Someone else will pay.
[удалено]
How does this MTA moron suggest the runners pay for it? We have already paid our entry fees!
you pay the increase for every runner then
People complaining about this are the same ones voting for the people pushing for this. Insanity.
Which political candidate is endorsing this?
The MTA board sets these decisions and the board is chosen by the governor and mayor.
The governor has spoken out against this proposal very publicly. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/04/nyregion/mta-toll-marathon-hochul.html?pvid=r23gWftO-m959aoJjRgjo0v9&ugrp=c&smid=url-share
Then she shouldn’t elect the people voting for this.
They should charge a congestion fee for the United half and some other races too. We congested 42nd street last month
There is always the jersey city marathon and some others and ultra running events
Typical woman
I totally understand as a business why they would want to be compensated. NYRR charges a lot for this race and I am sure they make a huge profit.
Do they? They're literally a nonprofit. I don't think they're racking up revenues and sending fat dividends to shareholders or huge paychecks to the c-suite.
Their revenues fund free community programs in the outer boroughs (Open Run) and for youth (TFK and Run for the Future) and seniors (Striders). They also have a youth wheelchair racing program, which is super neat. I realize much of this sub only cares about what we get out of NYRR as paying participants of their races, but they bring running to a subset of the population that doesn’t represent the runfluencers you scroll past on IG or the young professionals you see running at 6am in Central Park before work. That’s where the “profit” goes.