MTA wants to charge NYC Marathon for shutting down Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
NEW YORK -- The MTA is hungry for money, according to angry runners and some local leaders. They're growing outraged over the transit authority wanting to charge extra fees for the TCS New York City Marathon.
The marathon is one of J. Solle's favorite annual events, and now they're getting ready to run their third. But something new, a possibly surcharge my lesd to a pricey race.
"Everyone wants to be part of the celebration of the New York City Marathon and we should do what we can to increase that and not make it more restrictive," Solle said.
The MTA now wants to charge New York Road Runners, which puts on the world-famous marathon, $750,000 per year, claiming that's how much it loses in toll revenue when the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge is closed to cars for the race. The MTA said in a statement, "Taxpayers cannot be expected to subsidize a wealthy non-government organization."
Race officials say that could mean an increase to entry fees. Right now, non-members pay $315 and members, $255.
CBS New York spoke with some avid runners.
"Kind of seems like a bummer," one said.
"I think they should try and find some common grounds, and don't have it fall on the shoulders of runners," Giulia Guarnieri added.
According to public records, last year, New York Road Runners had a revenue of more than $85 million, but after expenses its net income was almost $12 million.
Race officials say they're willing to negotiate with the MTA, with a spokesperson said in a statement, "But any resolution should reflect the significant value the MTA derives from the marathon, including the increased ridership over marathon weekend."
Race officials estimate the marathon generated $427 million for the city in 2019.
"When you think of how much money this race must generate in New York City, for the region, for Staten Island, just let it be," Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella said.
The TD Five Borough Bike Tour could also be charged, meaning it, too, would have to raise prices. Its president said, "The ride is as diverse as the city itself and we don't want this to ever change."
Fossella said the marathon of money madness with the MTA needs to end.
"They are so desperate for money, it's a money grab," Fossella said. "Instead of stepping in the way and tripping the runners, figuratively and almost literally, they should be figuring out ways to get more people to participate."
Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement Thursday, "The marathon is an iconic symbol of New York City's tenacity and resilience that unites communities across the five boroughs each fall. I've directed the MTA to fix this mess and allow the marathon to move forward as it always has."
New York Road Runners officials told CBS New York they have been asking the MTA, repeatedly, for proof of this alleged $750,000 loss in revenue, but they have not yet received it.
The TCS New York City Marathon has been running over the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge since 1976, when it first became a five-borough marathon, and is the only NYRR race that does.