Road rage at '$15 ransom'
Public debate on planned congestion toll
New Yorkers against the planned $15 congestion fee to enter the busiest parts of Manhattan came out swinging in the MTA’s first-of-itskind public hearing on the contentious issue Thursday night.
Opponents of the toll for drivers traveling south of 60th Street argued the plan would be another crippling cost for working-class drivers, particularly in the outer boroughs or other parts of the tristate area that lack viable public transportation.
They also pointed out the MTA already loses millions of dollars yearly to commuters who evade paying subway or bus fares while listing numerous other problems for the beleaguered transit agency.
Meanwhile, advocates of the new program said the additional funds would go toward much-needed improvements, slash pollution in Midtown and lead to faster response times for emergency vehicles and safer streets with less cars on the street.
Nearly 200 speakers fiercely debated the topic during the hourslong hearing, including one driver who lives in the congestion zone and called the fee a “$15 ransom.”
“For many of us who are struggling to make ends meet, an additional daily fee represents a substantial burden that will force sacrifices in other areas such as food,” said downtown Manhattan resident and business owner Linda Nicholas, who needs to carry equipment when she goes out for her work.
“Now, you’re telling me I have to pay a $15 ransom to be able to get back to my apartment because I have not been lucky with my address.”
But congestion-pricing backers painted a different picture, stating most commuters use public transportation to get into Manhattan daily.
Murray Hill resident Barak Friedman called the number of cars in his neighborhood “out of control.” He said he hopes pollution is cut down because his daughter has asthma. “We desperately need congestion pricing. We try to cross the crosswalk, it’s full of cars,” he said. “There’s people in wheelchairs and strollers navigating in between these cars. It’s out of control.” The once-a-day fee for passenger car drivers would be assessed weekdays between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. and weekends between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Outside of peak hours, the toll would be $3.75.
MTA officials anticipate the agency would rake in about $1 billion annually from the congestion fee that would go toward various improvements for trains and buses, including a Second Avenue Subway extension, new computerized signals and station upgrades.
Before the hearing got underway, a couple dozen demonstrators outside MTA headquarters chanted in support of the congestion pricing plan as NYC Transit President Richard Davey made his case for the plan to reporters.
There is no official start date, but an MTA lawyer hinted the rollout could start as soon as mid-June as the MTA faces numerous legal actions against congestion pricing.
Another public hearing will be held Friday morning followed by the final two forums scheduled for Monday morning and Monday night.
The public can also send in written comments to the MTA sounding off on the plan through March 11.