Public Hearing Series Begins Today for MTA Congestion Pricing Plan

by Rockland Daily Staff

The first of six MTA Public Hearings will be held today from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. for the plan that could result in commuters paying $9-$23 more to drive into the City.  

Due to limited transit options and unreliable, sub-par rail service, Rockland residents often have no choice other than to drive into Manhattan. 

County Executive Ed Day said, "Rockland County cannot support MTA's proposed Central Business District Tolling Program (CBDTP) unless our commuters are provided a CBD toll exemption or significant discount and a toll credit for the Hudson River crossing tolls they already pay to enter Manhattan." 

Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick said, "Charging Rockland drivers a huge new toll to get to Manhattan without quick and easy mass transit alternatives will be worse than useless for reducing congestion. It will force people to pay an unfair tax that could run to thousands of dollars a year for commuters to subsidize a transit system that doesn't equitably serve our community."

The Senator continued, "As an environmentalist and a former regional planner, I strongly support investment in public transportation, but we can't put the cart before the horse and try to get people out of their cars when there are no good alternate options for Rockland residents to get to NYC."  

The MTA established its Central Business District (CBD) Tolling Program's Traffic Mobility Review Board (TMRB) to recommend a plan for credits, discounts, or exemptions. However, this board does not have any representation of MTA's West of Hudson service region, which includes Rockland County.

Without representation, Rockland residents are strongly urged to speak out at the series of upcoming MTA Public Hearings on the project's Environmental Assessment.  

The Congestion Pricing Plan virtual hearings will be accessible online at mta.info/CBDTP.  

The dates and times are listed below: 

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.