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Blue City Tries To Charge Marathon Runners $750,000 In Bridge Tolls: REPORT

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(Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

Lisa Moore Contributor
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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) wants $750,000 from organizers of the New York City Marathon to compensate for toll revenues allegedly lost due to marathon traffic closures of the Staten Island Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, according to documents obtained by The New York Times.

The MTA wants $750,000 from the Road Runners for each year the bridge is used, The New York Times (NYT) first reported. MTA officials reportedly said the bridge’s use would be restricted to either the upper or lower deck, if the organizers, known as the New York Road Runners, refuse to pay. The November event, anticipated to see over 50,000 runners in 2024, has employed both decks since 1988, according to the NYT. (RELATED: New York City Slated To Charge Drivers $15 If They Enter Downtown At Rush-Hour)

The Road Runners are not relenting, however, and will be forced to either accept fewer participants or extend the duration of the event, causing prolonged street and bridge closures, The New York Times reported.

“New Yorkers love Marathon Sunday, but taxpayers cannot be expected to subsidize a wealthy nongovernment organization like the New York Road Runners to the tune of $750,000,” president of M.T.A. Bridges and Tunnels Catherine Sheridan said via a statement, according to the outlet. “The M.T.A. is prepared to continue working toward a final agreement with the N.Y.R.R., provided it leads, over time, to full reimbursement for the lost revenue.”

But the New York Road Runners have been paying fees for use of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge since 2021, paying $150,000 in 2023, according to The New York Times.

People online pointed out on social media that the revenue the race brings into New York City isn’t being considered.

“Has the @MTA lost it’s mind? The NYC marathon is a major tourism event that drives a ton of economic benefit to the city. Why would they actively work to make it unattractive to the runners? Would we rather they skip NY and go to Boston, DC or SF instead?” Melissa DeRosa posted on X.

“As a marathoner who travels to races, I find the #cashgrab by the @MTA shortsighted. #nycmarathon is one of the world majors and draws runners from all over the world. Runners pour $$ into NYC economy,” another X user wrote.