$15 Base Car Toll Recommendation Unacceptable To Rockland Residents
“Rockland County residents face the highest level of transit inequity in the MTA region including a transit desert that forces more than 60% of our residents to drive into the city because they have no other way to get there,” County Executive Ed Day said. “It is for that reason my administration has continuously fought for Rockland residents to be exempt from congestion pricing tolls based on our $40 million value gap with the MTA, which no other member of the MTA has. Or at minimum, be credited for the George Washington Bridge crossing tolls with a discounted rate for entering the congestion pricing zone.”
Despite this, the Traffic Mobility Review Board (TMRB) is recommending a $15 CBD Base car toll with a $5 credit against the daytime CBD toll for Lincoln, Holland, Queens-Midtown, and Hugh Carey tunnels, for commuters who already have vast transit options and the most affordable transit fares, but none for GWB; once again, burdening Rockland commuters –which are furthest from the CBD – and have the highest transit fares.
“Let’s not forget the continuous congestion pricing conversation has only emphasized improving transit options in New York City, with little regard for the tax-paying members of the MTA outside the city,” Day said. “This recommendation is an insult to Rockland residents including cops, firefighters, and others who will pay more simply for using their own vehicle due to the inadequacies of the current system.”
“Congestion pricing, along with this TMRB recommendation, is an insult to families who are, and have been, struggling financially with high gas prices and record-breaking inflation.”
“The MTA has a golden opportunity to balance what has been an unfair value gap which I stressed in meetings with MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. I demand the MTA to provide Rockland County residents with a CBD toll exemption or, in the absence of a CBD toll exemption, a full crossing credit for Rockland residents at the GWB – which would be a small price for MTA to pay for residents who have contributed more than their fair share.”
