Suburban Drivers Face $9 to $23 Commuting Charge
New City, NY – On Wednesday Rockland County Executive Ed Day and Assemblyman Michael Lawler, alongside MTA Board Member Frank Borelli and 38th State Senate District Candidate Bill Weber, slammed the MTA and New York State over the Congestion Pricing Plan, which could result in commuters paying an additional $9 to $23 to drive into the city.
“Connecticut residents get better service than New York State Rockland and Orange residents,” said County Executive Day. “Despite everything we contribute we are never on the receiving end of these capital program investments and that needs to change now.”
Many Rockland County residents are forced drive into Manhattan due to the scarcity of transit options available, compounded by the sub-par, and often unreliable, rail service operated by NJ Transit via contract with Metro-North, which is extremely limited in quantity and dismal in quality.
“Two years ago I introduced legislation in the state legislature, Bill A.7750, to repeal congestion pricing because it is a direct tax on suburban communities and because Rockland County and West of Hudson rail service has rapidly declined in recent years,” said Assemblyman Michael Lawler. “I’m proud to work with Ed, Frank, and all those who are opposed to this absurd congestion pricing plan which will add yet another cost on our already-overburdened taxpayers here in Rockland.”
In a surprise announcement, the MTA established its Central Business District (CBD) Tolling Program’s Traffic Mobility Review Board (TMRB) last week, providing last-minute notice even to board members, which will be tasked, among other things, with recommending a plan for credits, discounts and/or exemptions for tolls paid the same day on bridges and tunnels.
Unfortunately, the MTA established its Review Board without any representation of MTA’s West of Hudson service region, meaning Rockland County will not be represented.
“Even more abhorrent, the public hearings on the matter are being held during the last week of August, making it clear the MTA is trying to push this plan through at a time when most people may not be paying attention or able to attend,” said County Executive Day. “Hear this – Rockland is paying attention.”
Rockland County is the only County in the MTA region that has a value gap, meaning our residents and businesses pay more to MTA than we receive back in transit service and funding. The last formal study, which was verified by the MTA’s own analysis, placed that gap at about $40 million each year and growing. Over the last decade that gap equates to over $400 million.
“The MTA is happy to take our money but loathe to provide service which is both insulting and disrespectful to the people of Rockland County,” said County Executive Day.
Since the last formal analysis, MTA has made zero improvements to the Pascack Valley Line rail service schedule and has made zero significant capital improvements to facilities, equipment, or service in Rockland County, except for the Nanuet Train Station shelter.
The last service increase made on the Pascack Valley Line was in 2007 and since then Rockland has only seen service cuts and higher fares.
“Rockland County is getting the short end of the stick,” MTA Board Representative Frank Borelli. “We’re not getting any benefit and we’re being asked to pay more money its clearly unfair and we don’t have to stand here and take it.”
Rockland residents are urged to speak out at upcoming MTA 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):
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.