Rockland Leaders Slam MTA's Congestion Pricing Plan

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — The MTA's congestion pricing plan, which could result in commuters paying $9 to $23 to drive in lower Manhattan, continues the agency's pattern of disrespect for Rockland commuters, officials said yesterday.

They were responding to a years-in-the-making environmental review on congestion pricing that was released Wednesday by MTA officials. Revenue from the tolls, projected to be roughly $1 billion annually, would be used to finance borrowing to upgrade the city’s mass transit systems. The review is a critical step toward getting federal approval for tolling cars entering Manhattan below 61st Street. And the review contends doing so will benefit New Yorkers.

“Connecticut residents get better service than New York State Rockland and Orange residents,” Rockland County Executive Ed Day retorted. “Despite everything we contribute we are never on the receiving end of these capital program investments and that needs to change now.”

Day and Assemblyman Michael Lawler, alongside MTA Board Member Frank Borelli and 38th State Senate District Candidate Bill Weber, slammed the MTA and New York State over the plan at a news conference Thursday.

Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, who was not at the news conference, released a statement.

Congestion pricing would be a burden to Rockland County residents, who are forced to drive into Manhattan due to the scarcity of transit options available — and insult is added to injury because the transit operations that are offered by the MTA are extremely limited in quantity and dismal in quality, the officials said.

Rockland County is the only county in the MTA region that has a value gap, meaning residents and businesses pay more to MTA than they receive back in transit service and funding. The last formal study, which was verified by the MTA’s own analysis, placed that gap at about $40 million each year and growing. Over the last decade that gap equates to over $400 million.

"It is simply absurd that the MTA would move to place yet another tax on Rockland County residents,” said Lawler. "We're already getting the short-end of the stick with regards to services and funding, to the tune of a $40 million shortchange, so it is patently absurd that the cost of maintaining and improving New York City's transit system is being placed on Rockland, Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess County residents."

The officials said they were taken aback by the MTA's surprise announcement last week establishing a Central Business District Tolling Program's Traffic Mobility Review Board which will be tasked, among other things, with recommending a plan for credits, discounts and/or exemptions for tolls paid the same day on bridges and tunnels.

They pointed out that the Review Board has no representation from MTA's West of Hudson service region.

“Rockland County is getting the short end of the stick,” said Borelli, a Clarkstown town Councilman. “We’re not getting any benefit and we’re being asked to pay more money — it's clearly unfair and we don’t have to stand here and take it."

Since the last formal analysis, MTA has made no improvements to the Pascack Valley Line rail service schedule and its only significant capital improvements to facilities, equipment, or service in Rockland County was the Nanuet train station. The last service increase made on the Pascack Valley Line was in 2007 and since then Rockland has only seen service cuts and higher fares, they said.

"Rockland County residents should not have to bear the brunt of the cost for subway repairs, period," said Weber.

Reichlin-Melnick (D-Rockland/Westchester) was not at the news conference, but released a statement. He said that the MTA and the NYMTC are creating a paradox: “The point of congestion pricing is to incentivize people to consider taking public transit. But if we put the cart before the horse without first creating that public transit option, congestion pricing will be a new tax on Rockland commuters, and it will not reduce the number of car trips that people take — because there are just not better options.”

Reichlin-Melnick urged restoration of passenger service on the West Shore Rail Line or other means to get a one-seat ride to Manhattan.

Congestion pricing is expected to take effect in 2023, assuming federal approval, and the review provides details on how it could look for motorists.

For example, tolls would peak at $23 under a scenario in which cars, trucks, taxis and for-hire vehicles would be capped at one toll per day and drivers already paying tolls at seven bridges and tunnels into Manhattan would receive credits; conversely, tolls would top out at $9 in a scenario in which taxis, for-hire vehicles and trucks would have no cap on how often they could be charged and drivers at the seven crossings wouldn't receive credits, the Associated Press reported. Only one of the seven scenarios includes a credit for drivers crossing the George Washington Bridge, a direct route from Rockland.

The public can provide input on the review through a series of virtual public hearings Aug. 25 through Aug. 31.

“Even more abhorrent, the public hearings on the matter are being held during the last week of August, making it clear the MTA is trying to push this plan through at a time when most people may not be paying attention or able to attend,” said Day. “Hear this — Rockland is paying attention.”

They will be held online, accessible via the project's website: NYC Central Business District Tolling Program (mta.info):

• Thursday, Aug. 25, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Aug. 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Sunday, Aug. 28, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Monday, Aug. 29, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Tuesday, Aug. 30, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, Aug. 31, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

SEE ALSO: NYC Congestion Pricing Tolls Could Be As High As $23: MTA

The Associated Press contributed to this report.