Give us voice in congest, sez Manhattan pol

Manhattan’s elected representatives are eager for the MTA’s congestion-pricing program to launch — but want to make sure the borough has a say in how the vehicle-tolling program in their borough works.

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer sent a letter to Gov. Hochul on Tuesday that was signed by each of the island’s representatives in Congress, the Legislature and City Council demanding “Manhattan representation” on the board overseeing the tolls.

The scheme will charge motorists who drive south of 60th St. in Manhattan, and is required to generate enough revenue to finance $15 billion of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s 20202024 capital plan.

By state law, the MTA was allowed to start collecting the tolls early this year. But a long federal approval process that included delays caused by officials in the Trump administration have pushed the program’s launch back to at least 2023.

Hochul has decisions to make in the meantime, including appointing members to a six-person panel called the Traffic Mobility Review Board that’s required to advise on the cost of the tolls and anyone who is exempt from paying them.

“Legislation passed in 2019 that created the TMRB required at least one representative from the Metro-North and Long Island Rail Road regions, but not a representative from Manhattan, even though congestion pricing will be implemented in the borough,” the letter states.

“Manhattanites deserve a seat at the table and the ability to offer the kind of localized perspective that would only improve the finalized program.”

Mayor de Blasio is authorized to nominate one member to the board, and in July put forth city Finance Commissioner Sherif Soliman as his pick.