Two congressmen representing the Big Apple’s northern suburbs are asking the MTA to expand its congestion pricing program, which discounts rides on the Metro-North and Long Island Railroad.
Rep. Pat Ryan (D-Ulster) and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-Rockland) sent a letter to MTA Chairman Jano Lieber on Tuesday asking for a temporary transit discount program that would not apply outside of the five boroughs. Discarded.
“Again, you are putting New York City first and our community last. Let me remind you that the MTA’s job is not just to serve the five boroughs.” says the letter, shared exclusively with the Post.
Under the MTA’s controversial congestion pricing plan, starting June 30, drivers will have to fork over $15 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street.
To quell some of the anger over the new fees, the MTA is rolling out discounted monthly transit passes for the LIRR and Metro-North. However, these passes only apply to intra-city travel.
The 10% discount will take effect the day after the congestion pricing plan goes into effect.
The MTA Board will likely pass the proposed discount at Tuesday’s meeting.
“First, the MTA ignored the voices of countless firefighters, police officers, union members, teachers, and other hardworking families in the Hudson Valley to push through an unfair, ill-informed, and unacceptable congestion pricing plan. Now they’re adding insult to injury,” Ryan said, calling on the MTA to extend the discount north.
“It’s a slap in the face to Hudson Valley families that the MTA will now offer discounts only to residents of the five boroughs,” Lawler said. “Service to our communities has not improved, single-occupant rides are still unavailable for commuters in Rockland County, and this is a sign of how congestion pricing is costing the MTA and New York City tremendous amounts of money.” This is another example of how much money they are extorting.”
“The MTA is once again choosing the favorite, leaving Long Islanders in the lurch while granting fare relief to New York City residents,” said Long Island State Representative Anthony D’Esposito (R-Nassau).
Supporters of the congestion pricing plan say it would reduce traffic in Manhattan, reduce pollution and generate much-needed funding for the MTA.
“Five years after the New York State Legislature enacted the New York Congestion Pricing Law, and after 4,000 pages of analysis and hundreds of public hearings and outreach meetings, New Yorkers are finding more Ready to enjoy the benefits of cleaner air, safer streets, better transportation, and more, MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber wrote in a memo announcing Friday’s start date. Ta.
The MTA plans to implement a congestion pricing plan on June 30, but it still faces several legal challenges.
Staten Island Borough President Vito Foscella and the United Federation of Teachers are working with many New York state lawmakers, including several Democrats, to overturn the plan. New Jersey has also filed a lawsuit in federal court.
