Rockland Officials Call On MTA To Create a One-Seat Ride to the City for Residents

by Rockland Daily Staff

Sen. Elijah Reichlin-Melnick requests that the MTA appoint a Rockland advisor for its new board while delaying its new congestion pricing plan and working to create a one-seat ride for Rockland residents to travel to Manhattan. 

The new plan is to make New York the first US city to charge an extra fee to drivers entering the city's most congested areas to reduce single-occupancy cars. 

"I understand that the MTA needs money," said Sen. Elijah Reichlin-Melnick. "It can't come on the backs of people who have no other good options for getting into the city."

Rockland officials firmly believe that commuters west of the Hudson River, who do not have a direct train to get to the city, should not have to pay an extra toll. Driving is generally the best option for Rockland residents to save time and money. 

County Executive Ed Day is disappointed the MTA's board lacks representation of MTA's West of Hudson service region. Day urged the board to "ensure that Rockland residents receive a Central Business District toll/discount and a river crossing toll credit as the congestion pricing plan moves forward."

The agencies will begin collecting public feedback on the Environmental Assessment on or about Aug. 10. Comments will be accepted online as well as through email, mail, voicemail, fax, and via a series of six hearings, which will be held online and accessible via mta.info/CBDTP at the dates and times listed below. Comments at these sessions will also become part of the formal record. 

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.

Photo: Flickr