The Ravitch report, in the works since June, identifies two newrevenue sources for MTA: a one-third of 1% "mobility tax" to belevied on employer payrolls in the MTA Commuter District, andcashless tolling of the currently free bridge crossings intoManhattan. Tolls on the East River bridges would be initially setat the same rate as those imposed on the major MTA bridge andtunnel facilities to eliminate "bridge shopping," and the tollrates imposed on the Harlem River bridges would equal the cost of asingle-ride subway fare, the report states.

Headed by former MTA chairman Richard Ravitch, the commissionsays the mobility tax would raise $1.5 billion annually to coverdebt service on a new MTA capital program. The bridge tolls wouldraise approximately $600 million annually for mass transit.

The commission also recommends the creation of a regional busauthority as a subsidiary of the MTA. The RBA would expand andrationalize bus service throughout the region, along with launchingbus rapid transit routes through areas currently underserved bymass transit, the report states. Additionally, the commission alsosuggests that the MTA take steps to ensure that the development ofits next capital plan is more transparent and that the authorityinstitute better management of capital construction projects.