New York City's two fire unions denounced a new $9 congestion pricing plan, saying on Sunday it would likely reduce response times and “could mean the difference between life and death.”
On Sunday, FDNY firefighters opposed the plan just as charges began to be filed against drivers who veered below 61st Street in Manhattan. The cost is $9 during peak hours, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends, and $2.25 during off-peak hours.
New York City's Bravest responds to emergencies with new pricing as firefighters will no longer use cars to quickly move around the city and will instead be forced to navigate busier roads in fire engines He warned that there may be delays.
“Fire engines and trucks will be delayed because firefighters who no longer bring their fire trucks into the fire district will have no choice but to take their fire trucks and go to another work location, so the FDNY will We need to use those vehicles to move them around the country, so get them equipped,'' Uniformed Firefighters Association President Andrew Ansbro said.
Ansbro said increased traffic congestion north of 60th Street will also likely lead to decreased response times, which “could be the difference between life and death.”
“This is not just a logistical problem, this is a public health crisis brewing,” he added.
Members of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association (UFOA) also condemned the economic impact of congestion pricing on New Yorkers, saying the change would likely cost residents millions of dollars a year.
“Congestion pricing will cost residents millions of dollars a year in additional costs. This is an unfair tax that does not take into account the critical needs of emergency services,” said UFOA President James Brosi. said.
Both unions are warning city officials that the current system is putting the lives of New Yorkers at risk and are calling on city officials to consider exemptions from the emergency services plan.
“Congestion pricing should not come at the expense of public safety,” the two leaders said in a joint statement. “We urge city and state officials to address these grave concerns before implementing policies that put all New Yorkers at risk.”
