MTA Administrator Janno Lieber passed the buck to the FDNY for waiving congestion fees and told firefighters to take their frustrations over the new $9 toll to the city on Friday.
During an appearance on WNYC's “The Brian Lehrer Show,” the chairman and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority dismissed firefighters' warnings that he would have to pay taxes while on the job.
“If a firefighter is asked to drive instead of using public transportation, the employer has to pay for the use of that vehicle,” Lieber said.
He advised New York's Bravest to discuss the matter with his “employer,” adding that the MTA “is not the appropriate place to adjudicate the details of individual contract arrangements.”
Fire unions spoke out against the controversial toll just as fines began on Sunday for motorists who veered below 60th Street in Manhattan.
Union officials say firefighters leave their cars at home when dispatched to avoid paying exorbitant commuter taxes, which can dangerously slow FDNY response times. I was warned that there would be.
These vehicles are regularly used to transport firefighters from their areas to other fire stations to fill staffing gaps.
“Who uses which car and when, and how employers instigate, that's not our business. They should have a collective bargaining agreement and I respect their concerns,” Lieber said. he said on WNYC.
Union officials accused Lieber of an “astonishing” lack of understanding of the FDNY's operations.
“The fact that neither he nor the MTA nor the state understands the work we do for the system is scary,” Uniformed Firefighters Association President Andrew Ansbro told the Post.
“This waiver will allow firefighters to travel beyond congestion pricing zones in their personal vehicles for the benefit of the city and the MTA.”
Jim Brosi, president of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, applauded Lieber for failing to help the FDNY prepare for the abhorrent plan.
“After spending six years helping the FDNY prepare, we are pleased that Jano Lieber took the time between celebrations to research the collective bargaining agreement,” Brosi said. told the Post.
“But if we had looked more closely, we would have seen how much fire department staffing relies on the use of private vehicles,” Blosi added. “It is strange that the Speaker has such absolute power over the streets of this great city, and then suddenly becomes powerless when his decisions have negative consequences for public safety.”
The FDNY contacted City Hall for comment to the Post.
“Ensuring public safety is a top priority for the Adams Administration. We are aware of UFA's concerns and are discussing these issues directly with the union,” said Liz Garcia, deputy press secretary to Mayor Eric Adams. said in a statement.
— Additional reporting by Desheania Andrews
