Pols from N.Y., N.J. try to nix congest pricing
Two of the most vocal opponents of New York State’s plan to charge drivers for traversing lower Manhattan are forming a posse.
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) announced the creation of a bipartisan, anti-congestion-pricing caucus, Wednesday that includes Rep. Tom Kean (R-N.J.) and Rep. Michael Lawler (R-N.Y.).
“We believe it would have detrimental impacts on surrounding neighborhoods outside of the congestion zone. We believe that the pollution and the traffic would simply be shifted,” Malliotakis said at a press conference at the Manhattan entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel.
“We want to make sure that this program, which would be the first in the nation, is fully vetted,” the Staten Island pol continued. “We deserve to know all the ramifications of such a pricing scheme.”
“Congestion pricing would shift vehicle traffic from higher income and more urbanized areas to lower income and vulnerable communities like the one that I represent,” Malliotakis said.
“The MTA has asked the Department of Transportation to fast-track their approvals — that would be a huge mistake,” Gottheimer said.
The lawmakers said they are pushing for a full environmental impact statement to be required.
The two members of Congress whose districts include the congestion zone south of 60th St. in Manhattan — Rep. Jerrold Nadler and Rep. Daniel Goldman, both Democrats — did not respond to the statements Wednesday by Gottheimer and Malliotakis.
The congestion pricing plan, which is required by state law in order to finance $15 billion of the MTA’s capital plan, was initially slated to go into effect in 2021, but has been delayed by the federal Department of Transportation. It is currently expected to begin in 2024.
Under the plan, vehicles in the congestion zone would pay a toll that would be collected electronically. The amounts of the tolls aren’t yet clear. It’s possible that taxis and for-hire vehicles would pay different rates than passenger cars, and that trucks would pay higher rates.
Besides raising money for the MTA, the plan is also intended to shift more travelers to public transit and reduce traffic congestion and pollution. Advocates say congestion pricing is a big success in London, Stockholm and other cities.
The viability of congestion pricing in New York is currently before the federal Transportation Department, which is charged with deciding whether the project requires a full environmental impact review. The results of the federal study are expected within months.