Residents of Manhattan's congestion pricing zones could potentially pay new tolls even if they don't drive.
Businesses providing deliveries and services in the central business district south of 60th Street are sending notices to customers that the handling fee will be added as an additional charge to their bills.
CompuVoip, a phone and data services company that contracts with the New York City government, had already notified the city and other customers of the new rates before the $9 rate went into effect Sunday.
“Dear Valued Customer: CompuVoip's fundamental principle is to provide superior value to our customers.While the cost of providing service calls has increased, we have historically been able to pass this increase on to our customers. ” the company said in a notice to the city council.
“Starting January 5th, New York State will implement congestion pricing in certain areas of Manhattan.” “As a result, we will need to introduce a ‘congestion charge surcharge’ for customers within congestion charge zones. This surcharge reflects actual costs and applies only to service calls in that area. ”
The company said the surcharge will only be levied on people and businesses within the congestion zone, and “only while the congestion charge is in effect.”
Long Island-based Dream Events and Decorations also plans to add tolls to provide catering and party events in Manhattan.
The new tolls will cost the company about $20,000 a year, said Isabel Dobecker, general manager and president of event operations.
“That's something we need to consider further,” Dobecker said.
Ms. Dorbecker said she is considering cutting back on trips to Manhattan vendors to purchase tablecloths, cutlery and decorations. Instead, she is looking for suppliers within Long Island and outside the zone.
Mechanical East, a Brooklyn-based air conditioning and ventilation services company, warned customers last spring that it would impose an additional fee on all work orders to compensate for tolls.
Opponents said the pass-along cost to customers is another reason the nation's first congestion charge to finance the MTA is a disaster.
“To anyone with common sense, it is no surprise that businesses are operating within the CBD. [Central Business District] It would shift the congestion fraud tax onto consumers,” said Queens Borough Councilman Robert Holden.
He called MTA Chairman Jano Lieber “King Lieber” and Gov. Cathy Hochul a “tyrant Hochul” who is “looting from taxpayers to fund corruption and mismanagement of the disastrous transit agency.” I called.
Bronx City Councilwoman Christy Marmorato posted a CompuVoip notification on her X account.
“So it begins!” she wrote. “This cash grab through congestion tolls will impact our daily commute and infringe on accessibility and affordability. But now we know this will cost every bit of money in our daily lives. We are also seeing how it can increase
Hempstead Town Supervisor Donald Clavin, who has two lawsuits challenging congestion pricing in state and federal court, called the new $9 fee “hochul inflation.”
“It's just a tax. It's going to increase prices that are already high. There's inflation in Hochul,” Clavin said.
