County Executive Ed Day: Congestion Pricing Returning To NYC Insulting To Rocklanders

Statement from County Executive Ed Day following the announcement from Governor Hochul that she will modify the toll plan and implement in beginning in January:

“New York State Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision in June to delay the implementation of the Congestion Pricing charge until after the election was a clear, calculated move.

Rocklanders are already facing critical affordability issues, and imposing this charge will only worsen the burden on families who have been grappling with high inflation, elevated gas prices, and soaring interest rates for nearly two years. Rockland County’s approximately 4,000 residents who commute to the Central Business District, including many first responders, are left without a one-seat-ride option. Despite our community’s $40 million annual value gap – the difference between what we pay into the MTA and what we receive in services – our residents are unfairly penalized.

There is no way that congestion is worse now than it was prior to the pandemic. In fact, since the pandemic, New York City’s population has declined over 6%, which a new study predicts will continue, and only 60% of the workforce is working in-office full-time, with many employees in hybrid or remote roles.

Moreover, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) own data shows that most vehicles in the Central Business District are for-hire vehicles.

Therefore, this policy is clearly not about addressing congestion but rather about increasing revenue to cover MTA budget shortfalls. This charge is not the answer to the MTA’s fiscal challenges.

We stand firmly against this misguided charge and commend our colleagues in New Jersey, Long Island, Staten Island, and especially Senator Bill Weber, who is actively pushing for a permanent repeal of the Congestion Pricing plan. He additionally is pushing legislation that would increase the Dutchess, Orange, and Rockland Fund Allocations (DORF) for mass transit improvements from $2 million to $10 million. Another bill would provide Rockland residents a rebate.

Governor Hochul should eliminate Congestion Pricing entirely, and I pledge that my administration will continue our legal fight, alongside our allies in government, to protect the hardworking Rocklanders we represent from this unnecessary expense.”