Good evening! I’m Rosalind Clay Carter, a long-time resident of Westchester County. I currently serve on the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, and the Metro-North Railroad Commuter Council.
I’m here to speak in support of congestion pricing. When I travel into Manhattan from Westchester, I do it by transit, a combination of MetroNorth and the subway.
Transit is by far the fastest, most comfortable, sustainability supportive, least anxiety producing, and most reliable way to get me to the city. Most New Yorkers and even New Jerseyans must agree, as more than 8 in 10 traveling into the central business district choose transit.
That’s why congestion pricing is so important. It will add billions of dollars in investment to our trains, buses, and Metro-North. Those who still choose to drive will benefit by faster trips and less traffic.
Lawsuits from opponents of congestion pricing are already delaying critical repair work and upgrades around the MTA region.
Suits delaying the congestion pricing is in no one’s best interest. The proposed tolling structure include key exemptions and discounts for low-income frequent drivers and people with disabilities, and a 75% lower toll overnight when transit options are more limited. We should encourage commercial companies to take advantage of this greatly reduced overnight tolls.
Thank you.