MTA says congestion pricing will start June 30
Commuters wait to drive through the Holland Tunnel into New York City during morning rush hour traffic in Jersey City, New Jersey. On June 30, New York will become the first U.S. city to charge congestion tolls on drivers entering its downtown. Credit: AP/Ted Shaffrey
Motorists entering the heart of Manhattan will be tolled under the nation’s first congestion pricing program beginning on the last Sunday in June, according to the MTA.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced on its website Friday a June 30 start date, beginning at 12 a.m. It will apply to "vehicles entering the Congestion Relief Zone in Manhattan — local streets and avenues at or below 60 Street."
But the controversial program, which is expected to charge most drivers $15 for driving south of 60th Street during peak hours, faces several lawsuits that officials have acknowledged could derail the start date. That could cause a delay for several transit projects that would get funding from the program, which is expected to raise about $1 billion annually.
The MTA board approved the Central Business District Tolling Program by an 11-1 vote last month, making New York the first city to undertake an ambitious tolling initiative intended to reduce traffic and improve air quality, as well as help modernize the transit system.
While the plan has been lauded by transit and environmental advocates, it has met resistance from some residents and officials who see it as just another revenue generator.
David Mack, a real estate developer from Great Neck, was the only MTA board member who voted against it, believing the plan will cause companies to flee the region.
The legal challenges include federal lawsuits by the state of New Jersey and by the mayor of Fort Lee, New Jersey. Lawsuits in New York include one filed by the Staten Island borough president with a New York City teachers union, and separate cases filed by a group of Manhattan residents.
"The MTA is playing as if it's a done deal ... but we're doing what we can stop it,” said Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, whose lawsuit alleges pollutants will rise in certain communities already suffering from chronic disease. There is a court hearing scheduled next month.
“If our arguments are compelling enough in May, then our hope is that they put the brakes on it,” Fossella said.
Corey Bearak, a founding member of New Yorkers Against Congestion Pricing Tax, a lead plaintiff in another suit against the MTA, said the agency failed to fully consider the socioeconomic and health implications for people who live inside Manhattan’s Central District.
“We're really talking about the lives of people. We shouldn't be putting people at risk when we're doing any sort of program,” Bearak said.
Federal regulators previously approved a 4,000-page environmental assessment that among its findings determined traffic would be reduced by as much as 20% in Manhattan
Congestion pricing has been exceedingly unpopular on Long Island, with 72% of registered voters rejecting the plan in a Newsday/Siena College poll.
Still there are many who see the benefits to the program. Danny Pearlstein, spokesman for Riders Alliance, a transit advocacy group, is looking forward to the start date.
“Congestion pricing will be a win-win-win for all New Yorkers, commuters and visitors and bring better public transit, cleaner air and freer moving traffic,” Pearlstein said in a statement. “It cannot happen soon enough.”
Lisa Daglian, executive director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, said new funding will improve accessibility across the system, upgrade signals and stations, and add new rail cars.
“Better transit, cleaner air, and less traffic are closer than ever,” Daglian said in a statement.
Under the program, vehicles entering the district through the Queens Midtown, Hugh L. Carey, Lincoln or Holland tunnels will receive a $5 credit during peak periods. There are toll exemptions for vehicles transporting people with disabilities, emergency vehicles, transit and commuter buses, school buses under contract with New York City and specialized government vehicles.
A 50% discount will be available for low-income vehicle owners, and a tax credit is available for low-income residents of the Central Business District.
Motorists entering the heart of Manhattan will be tolled under the nation’s first congestion pricing program beginning on the last Sunday in June, according to the MTA.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced on its website Friday a June 30 start date, beginning at 12 a.m. It will apply to "vehicles entering the Congestion Relief Zone in Manhattan — local streets and avenues at or below 60 Street."
But the controversial program, which is expected to charge most drivers $15 for driving south of 60th Street during peak hours, faces several lawsuits that officials have acknowledged could derail the start date. That could cause a delay for several transit projects that would get funding from the program, which is expected to raise about $1 billion annually.
The MTA board approved the Central Business District Tolling Program by an 11-1 vote last month, making New York the first city to undertake an ambitious tolling initiative intended to reduce traffic and improve air quality, as well as help modernize the transit system.
While the plan has been lauded by transit and environmental advocates, it has met resistance from some residents and officials who see it as just another revenue generator.
David Mack, a real estate developer from Great Neck, was the only MTA board member who voted against it, believing the plan will cause companies to flee the region.
The legal challenges include federal lawsuits by the state of New Jersey and by the mayor of Fort Lee, New Jersey. Lawsuits in New York include one filed by the Staten Island borough president with a New York City teachers union, and separate cases filed by a group of Manhattan residents.
"The MTA is playing as if it's a done deal ... but we're doing what we can stop it,” said Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, whose lawsuit alleges pollutants will rise in certain communities already suffering from chronic disease. There is a court hearing scheduled next month.
“If our arguments are compelling enough in May, then our hope is that they put the brakes on it,” Fossella said.
Corey Bearak, a founding member of New Yorkers Against Congestion Pricing Tax, a lead plaintiff in another suit against the MTA, said the agency failed to fully consider the socioeconomic and health implications for people who live inside Manhattan’s Central District.
“We're really talking about the lives of people. We shouldn't be putting people at risk when we're doing any sort of program,” Bearak said.
Federal regulators previously approved a 4,000-page environmental assessment that among its findings determined traffic would be reduced by as much as 20% in Manhattan
Congestion pricing has been exceedingly unpopular on Long Island, with 72% of registered voters rejecting the plan in a Newsday/Siena College poll.
Still there are many who see the benefits to the program. Danny Pearlstein, spokesman for Riders Alliance, a transit advocacy group, is looking forward to the start date.
“Congestion pricing will be a win-win-win for all New Yorkers, commuters and visitors and bring better public transit, cleaner air and freer moving traffic,” Pearlstein said in a statement. “It cannot happen soon enough.”
Lisa Daglian, executive director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, said new funding will improve accessibility across the system, upgrade signals and stations, and add new rail cars.
“Better transit, cleaner air, and less traffic are closer than ever,” Daglian said in a statement.
Under the program, vehicles entering the district through the Queens Midtown, Hugh L. Carey, Lincoln or Holland tunnels will receive a $5 credit during peak periods. There are toll exemptions for vehicles transporting people with disabilities, emergency vehicles, transit and commuter buses, school buses under contract with New York City and specialized government vehicles.
A 50% discount will be available for low-income vehicle owners, and a tax credit is available for low-income residents of the Central Business District.
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