TWU chief in MTA threat

Union vows electoral fallout for toll

The chief of the MTA’s biggest union — which once supported New York’s controversial congestion pricing plan — is now threatening a “massive confrontation” with transit management over the proposed $15 daily toll to enter Midtown or lower Manhattan.

The head of the national Transport Workers Union, John Samuelsen, issued the threat in an interview Thursday, which came just days after he escalated his battle with Gov. Hochul and her MTA chairman, Janno Lieber, by placing a full-page ad in Monday’s Post recruiting a gubernatorial primary challenge for the Democrat.

“There’s going to be a massive confrontation between the TWU and MTA,” Samuelsen told The Post. “We’re not going to sit back and take this.”

He added: “There’s going to be massive electoral fallout for the politicians who support this.”

TWU has made an about-face on congestion pricing as the plan looms closer. It’s expected to launch as soon as June, and the MTA says virtually all of the cameras and other infrastructure have been installed.

The union was closely allied with now-disgraced ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo as he pushed for the program in 2019 to finance billions in signal improvements and new trains following the “Summer of Hell” service meltdowns.

It touted the tolling plan in one 2019 newspaper ad, which said congestion pricing would pay for modern computerized subway signals, new train cars and buses and expanded service.

But Samuelsen said the MTA hasn’t delivered on the promise to boost service.

“I’m opposed because there has not been an increase in transit service. Where’s the increase in express bus service?” the union chief told The Post. “This toll will whip

This toll will whip blue-collar, outer-borough workers. It's very classist. - John Samuelsen (right), head of the powerful national Transport Worker Union

blue-collar, outerborough workers. It’s very classist.” The MTA did not immediately comment. Since 2019, the agency has ordered roughly 1,000 new train cars for the lettered lines, pushed ahead with plans to overhaul the signals on the A/C and B/ D/F/M and received funding separately from the Legislature to bolster midday, evening and weekend subway service on several lines.

Officials have argued that the express bus network is at about 80% of pre-pandemic ridership and can easily carry more riders, as can the subways, which are averaging about 70% of pre-pandemic ridership.

The congestion fee program has kicked off a slew of legal challenges from New Jersey politicians, residents inside of the toll zone and municipal labor unions, all of whom are pushing judges to send the MTA back to the drawing board — and calling for discounts or exemptions.

The plan would charge drivers $15 once per day during the peak hours if they drive south of 60th Street in Manhattan, while the overnight toll would be $3.75.