Rockland Officials Blast MTA Congestion Pricing Plan as Unfair to Residents

by M.C. Millman

The new congestion pricing could add another $9-$23 price tag to suburban commuters driving into New York City.

Unlike most other suburban counties, Rockland residents do not have a quick or easy mass transit option to get to NYC. 

Many Rockland officials, including Rockland County Executive Ed Day, Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, Assemblyman Mike Lawler, MTA Board Member Frank Borelli, and 38th State Senate district candidate Bill Weber, are demanding justice for Rocklanders regarding congestion pricing. 

Senator Reichlin-Melnick strongly objected to the unfair taxing of Rockland County residents at a public session yesterday hosted by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC).

In his statement, the senator spoke of the need for a one-seat ride for Rocklanders by restoring the West Shore Rail Line or other such means. 

Senator Reichlin-Melnick says the MTA and the NYMTC are creating a paradox that will do nothing more than create a new tax on Rockland County commuters. "The point of congestion pricing is to incentivize people to consider taking public transit," the senator said, "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."

Lawler says he is most concerned with congestion pricing because "The MTA has been one of the most poorly managed entities in the country. They have squandered billions of dollars year after year. They have not invested in infrastructure or rail service upgrades for Rockland County residents."

County Executive Ed Day also spoke in Nanuet, opposing the new plan. He said, "The MTA has just taken another swing at Rockland County. Last week, the review board was established without representation of the MTA's West of Hudson service region. Even more abhorrent, the public meetings are being held in the last week of August, and not up here; they are being held in the city."

Bill Weber, 38th State Senate district candidate, spoke in Nanuet today as well, saying, "I commit today that I will get that bill repealed immediately because it is unfair to Rockland residents who want to commute to the city. We do want to commute, but we cannot afford to, or when we do get into the city, it is unsafe because of a lot of the pro-criminal laws that have been passed in New York State."

Rockland officials urge families in Rockland to voice their opposition and concern to the MTA at public hearings on the project's Environmental Assessment next month.

The hearings are scheduled as follows and will be held online, accessible via the project's website: NYC Central Business District Tolling Program (mta.info):

https://new.mta.info/project/CBDTP

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.

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