Broad Coalition Rallies in Support of Congestion Pricing
Elected officials, business leaders, construction community members, advocates and riders join together to encourage public to tell USDOT they want less congestion, better air quality and vital funding for essential transit improvements.
Contact: Lisa Daglian – 917-612-2292 or [email protected] Kara Gurl – 718-839-3625 or [email protected]
(August 25, 2022) New York, NY: On the first day of public hearings for congestion pricing, elected officials including Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Robert Carroll, along with a broad coalition comprised of leaders from the business, advocacy and environmental communities, together with disabled transit riders and proponents of safer streets, held a rally calling for #CongestionPricingNow to help reduce congestion, improve air quality and fund critical transit improvements around the region. They urged New Yorkers to testify at upcoming public hearings on the Environmental Assessment and in support of the nation’s first-ever congestion pricing program.
With hundreds of public speakers registered for the MTA’s six public hearings on the recently released Environmental Assessment from August 25th through 31st, advocates in support of congestion pricing are emphasizing why the New York City region needs congestion pricing: funding for better transit service and stations, less traffic and gridlock, and reduced emissions from cars to improve air quality and help prevent the impacts of climate change on our region.
The Environmental Assessment released on August 10th confirms what riders already knew: that congestion pricing will accomplish its legislatively mandated goals of raising $1 billion annually for the MTA’s capital program and significantly reducing traffic and increasing mobility around the Central Business District, making it easier for buses, emergency vehicles, deliveries, and drivers to get around. With 90% of people entering the CBD using transit, walking, or biking, congestion pricing will improve the commutes and lives of millions of New Yorkers and others around the region.
Congestion pricing funding is essential to funding the MTA’s current and future capital programs. It will pay for signals, tracks, accessibility projects, new rolling stock, security upgrades including track intrusion detection equipment and new CCTVs, and essential state of good repair work to keep trains and buses working safely and reliably for all riders. These critical improvements will come with few negative impacts, and the upsides for riders and the region as a whole far outweigh the downsides. Without congestion pricing, key transit repairs and upgrades that will improve commutes will be at stake.
Riders and other members of the public are encouraged to register to testify in support of congestion pricing and tell USDOT why they need better transit, air quality, and less traffic at one of the MTA’s upcoming public hearings at https://new.mta.info/project/CBDTP.
“By leading to lower emissions, improved air quality, reduced congestion and funding for our public transit system, congestion pricing has the potential to fundamentally change New York City for the better,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “The Environmental Assessment makes clear that we can expect a 15-20 percent reduction in the number of vehicles entering into the Central Business District, while raising $1 billion annually for our public transit system. We’ll need to get the details right, but in the Borough with some of the lowest car ownership in the country yet some of the worst congestion, this program can’t come soon enough. I encourage every New Yorker who cares about emissions, street safety, public transit, and quality of life to participate in these public hearings.”
“Congestion pricing is needed to fund critical infrastructure improvements of our subway and bus system, provided the funds generated are protected in a lock-box for this sole purpose. Every day commuters experience prolonged delays resultant of deteriorating infrastructure, difficulties associated with inaccessible stations, and annual fare hikes that push them to their financial limits. This dedicated funding stream is crucial not only for the improvements it can fund but also because reducing traffic and cars on the roads will have lasting effects on our environment. We need to implement this program with all possible haste,” said Senator Andrew Gounardes.
“Those of us who live and work in Manhattan know very well the negative impacts of traffic congestion on our daily lives – the air pollution, the noise, the risks to pedestrians posed by our overcrowded streets, and the frustration of being stuck in traffic on those occasions when we need to use a car or taxi. We also know the benefits of well-funded, reliable, fast public transit. Congestion pricing is a tried and tested approach that will reduce congestion, improve the quality of life of Manhattanites, and provide desperately needed funds to support the subways and buses that the vast majority of New Yorkers rely on every day,” said Senator Liz Krueger.
“As a long-time champion of congestion pricing, I know that it will reduce traffic, make our air cleaner and provide much needed revenue for mass transit; like it has in London, Milan, Stockholm and Singapore. It’s been 3 years since the state legislature approved congestion pricing and there should be no further delay from the US Department of Transportation in approving its implementation,” said Assemblymember Robert Carroll.
“On the first day of public hearings on congestion pricing in New York City, I stand in solidarity with attendees at today’s rally in their call for support for this vital program. The constituents I represent in Queens are disproportionately impacted by both environmental injustice and our under resourced public transit system. We must send a strong message to the USDOT today that New Yorkers want cleaner air, less traffic, and a new funding stream for the MTA,” said Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas.
“The recently release environmental assessment confirms what advocates and urban planners have been saying for years: congestion pricing will reduce air pollution, improve quality of life and provide desperately needed funds for public mass transit,” said Assemblymember Emily Gallagher. “New Yorkers have been waiting long enough. It’s time for all levels of government to forge ahead on this bold and necessary plan.”
“Congestion pricing will generate revenue to make critical investments in our mass transit system, improve our environment and air quality, and make our streets safer for pedestrians,” said Councilmember Lincoln Restler.
Lisa Daglian, Executive Director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC) said: “Congestion pricing will reduce gridlock, improve air quality and raise essential dollars for vital transit improvement projects. In order for New York to stay competitive, we need to be able to get from one place to another, both above ground on streets that aren’t clogged with fume-spewing vehicles, and below. Riders need a transit system that is fast, reliable, safe and affordable. Congestion pricing will keep our streets moving – while improving air quality – and bring in the funding that will allow upgrades and improvements for our subways, buses and trains. Its importance cannot be overstated: it is critical to the future of the region’s transit system, and in turn, to our economy.”
“Congestion pricing is key to improving commutes for LIRR riders. Projects like upgrading signals, platform and station repairs, accessibility improvements, and more new train cars are some of the critical upgrades at stake for riders. Drivers will benefit as well, from less traffic and better air quality. It’s important that all of us who rely on the LIRR – and who are counting on the future of Long Island – speak up at the MTA’s public hearings in support of less gridlock, better air quality and more funding for essential transit improvements,” said Gerard Bringmann, Chair of the Long Island Rail Road Commuter Council (LIRRCC) and PCAC.
“Without the billions of dollars brought in by congestion pricing, essential improvements to our subways and buses that riders desperately need are at stake. Important repairs and upgrades like better signals, more accessible subway stations, a more resilient system, and even a more expansive transit network with projects like the Second Avenue Subway need funding so that riders can feel their benefits. Congestion pricing will bring riders the 21st century transit system they need and deserve, while improving our entire city with less traffic, congestion, and better air quality,” said Andrew Albert, Chair of the New York City Transit Riders Council (NYCTRC).
“The Environmental Assessment is clear – congestion pricing will reduce traffic congestion, improve regional air quality, and infuse $15 billion into our public transit system,” said Kate Slevin, executive vice president of Regional Plan Association. “The cost of not doing congestion pricing is simply too high — longer commutes, poorer air quality, and unmanageable traffic congestion. There are still many issues to work out as the MTA moves forward toward implementation, and we look forward to working with the Governor, the MTA, and the Mayor as the process advances. Congestion pricing now!”
“We can’t drive our way out of the climate crisis. Congestion pricing is crucial to protect air quality, fight climate change, and reduce traffic in New York City. Millions of commuters rely on the MTA’s buses, subways, and commuter rails, and congestion pricing would fund the modernization of our public transit to make it more reliable. With the environmental assessment now completed, we urge USDOT to swiftly approve congestion pricing at the conclusion of the comment period so that the MTA and New York State can implement the program and deliver benefits to New Yorkers,” said Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters.
“Congestion pricing remains urgent for the MTA, and will fund critical infrastructure repairs and upgrades for the subways, buses, and commuter railroads. It provides the single largest source of funding — $15 billion — for the MTA’s $55 billion 2020-24 capital plan, which is off to an historically slow start. Congestion pricing is exactly the type of reliable, environmentally beneficial revenue the MTA needs to fund its capital program. The MTA simply cannot afford to take out any more capital debt on the backs of transit riders,” said Rachael Fauss, Senior Research Analyst for Reinvent Albany.
“Our mass transit system is the cardiovascular system of the City and region. It is critical to New York’s long-term economic health,” said REBNY President James Whelan. “Along with generating a new and sustainable revenue stream for our mass transit infrastructure, congestion pricing will reduce traffic and air pollution. REBNY was proud to be part of the broad coalition that successfully advocated for State approval of the initiative in 2019. Efforts to get it underway have only become more important since that time.”
“After years of debate and delays, we finally have eyes on congestion pricing plan proposals that can help us reinvest in our transit system and keep New York City moving towards a stronger, fairer future,” said Carlo A. Scissura, President and CEO of the New York Building Congress. “While the particulars of the plan will now undergo rigorous review with the city’s brightest minds, we are on the way toward revitalized central business districts, cleaner air, safer streets, and a better transit system that can serve New Yorkers for generations to come. Congestion pricing is a key step forward that will provide the MTA with billions of dollars to complete much needed transit upgrades and construction projects, but elected officials must continue to think outside the box and commit to infrastructure and planning efforts that reimagine traffic flow through the five boroughs, unclog our streets and improve public spaces.”
“Whether it’s making subway stations accessible, putting enough bus service on the road or reforming Access-A-Ride, the MTA needs M-O-N-E-Y,” said Joe Rappaport, executive director of the Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled. “That’s where congestion pricing comes in, and why we support getting it in place as soon as possible.”
“Disabled riders count on the MTA to get around, just like most of the people coming into the central business district. We hope that congestion pricing funds will help the MTA plan for and build accessible improvements that will work for all riders,” said Jean Ryan, President, Disabled In Action of Metropolitan NY.
“New York needs to get moving ASAP on congestion pricing,” said Rich Schrader, NRDC NY Policy Director, “to build a sturdy revenue stream for mass transit and help diminish air-polluting traffic congestion.”
“New York City has the slowest buses in the nation. Congestion pricing will speed up our buses — especially for low-income commuters — and power an equitable recovery for New York City. Our future depends on reclaiming streets from cars, shifting trips out of cars, and funding a strong public transit system. Congestion pricing helps accomplish it all and it must be implemented without any further delay,” said Elizabeth Adams, Senior Director of Advocacy and Organizer for Transportation Alternatives.
“As New York City faces a crisis of traffic violence, reducing car usage is key to saving lives and preventing crashes,” said Families for Safe Streets steering committee member Kate Brockwehl. “Congestion pricing made streets in other cities safer, bringing down crashes by 50% in London. To reach Vision Zero, we must couple congestion pricing with permanent, physical infrastructure that slows down drivers and protects all New Yorkers, particularly pedestrians and people on bikes. New York City must act now to implement this.”
“It’s been three years since congestion pricing became law in New York State, and the need for it to fund the MTA’s Capital Plan and help tame crippling traffic is greater than ever. Once the public hearings on the Environmental Assessment conclude, it’s crucial that the MTA and TMRB move as quickly as possible to begin the implementation process. New Yorkers can’t afford to wait any longer for better transit service, cleaner air, and less traffic – we need congestion pricing now!” Said Eric McClure, Executive Director of StreetsPAC.
“We need congestion pricing to reduce traffic and emissions, and to fund the accessibility upgrades promised in the MTA capital plan. Less congested streets will let paratransit and buses move more efficiently and make them more viable transit options for hundreds of thousands of people who don’t drive and can’t use the subway. People with disabilities are more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Congestion pricing should be the first step of many to improve public transit, discourage individual car use, and reduce emissions as a matter of social justice,” said Jessica Murray of Rise and Resist Elevator Action Group.
“It is urgent that we move forward with congestion pricing as soon as possible to finance long overdue accessibility service improvements our transit system, reduce traffic congestion in our central business district, and begin to reduce toxic air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector,” said Justin Wood, Director of Policy for New York Lawyers for the Public Interest.
“The environmental assessment also makes clear that environmental and accessibility benefits of congestion pricing will vary depending on the specific prices and tolling mechanisms implemented. The MTA must ensure that all paratransit riders, accessible taxi passengers, and accessible for-hire-vehicle passengers with disabilities are exempt from tolls, and should create strong incentivizes for taxi and FHV operators to increase the number of fully wheelchair accessible vehicles in the taxi and. FHV fleets.”