Private bus operators transporting millions of tourists to New York City are furious that tourists could be made to pay big bucks as part of planned congestion charges to enter Midtown. ing.
Coach USA and its subsidiary Megabus said they were stunned that their charter buses would not be exempt from the fee, as they estimate that between 9 million and 12 million passengers are transported into congestion zones each year. .
“It’s confusing. It makes no sense,” Vice President of Public Affairs Dan Rodriguez told the Post.
“We are achieving the purpose of congestion pricing, which is to get people on mass transit, take cars off the roads and reduce congestion and carbon emissions,” he said. Ta. “We are part of the solution and it is a public good that should not be penalized with tolls.”
The MTA’s controversial new congestion pricing program will charge charter and intercity buses entering the business district south of 60th Street $24 and tour buses $36 unless there are last-minute changes. I will do it.
He said private bus service helps prevent millions of additional cars from clogging Midtown streets. The double-decker Megabus can accommodate up to 81 passengers.
Megabus alone has 196 daily routes and four stops in Manhattan.
He said bus operators would have to increase fares for passengers to cover costs.
“The last thing we want to do is raise prices. People are price sensitive,” he said.
Rodriguez said similar or identical bus services would be exempt from congestion charges in other cities such as London, Stockholm and Singapore.
Transport in London — on the website – Said that buses from European Economic Area member states that are registered with transport authorities are eligible for exemption from congestion charges in that country.
Rodriguez said his company’s customers include people heading to New York for work, Broadway shows, conferences and special events, pumping billions of dollars into the city’s economy.
Megabus/Coach USA also brings travelers from other cities within New York State, the Northeast such as Albany and Washington DC, and other parts of the country. He added that many university students are using the service.
Rodriguez said Megabus/Coach USA will ask Gov. Cathy Hochul’s office to reconsider charging private buses that carry passengers to business/entertainment centers, similar to other government-run or contracted commuter bus services. He said he has appealed for the fee to be waived.
Buses coming through the toll tunnel at the Midtown border will receive a discount on congestion charges.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority plans to implement tolls in Midtown as early as mid-June, officials said in recent court proceedings. The individual driver of the car will pay him $15.
The program is being challenged in court by opponents of tolls, including the American Federation of Teachers, Staten Island Borough President Fossella and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy.
The upcoming death toll has sparked a backlash from the city’s workforce, including first responders such as paramedics and educators who are assigned to stations and schools in the area and drive to work.
The MTA defended the fees for private bus routes recommended by the Transportation Mobility Review Board, saying private buses contribute to downtown congestion.
Referring to the conclusion of the TMRB recommendation, the spokesperson said, “Although intercity buses do not routinely serve commuters, they are efficient, especially for people of moderate means.” We are providing paratransportation.”
“They should be charged $24. Tour buses do not serve as quasi-public transport and should be charged $36 for causing unreasonable congestion in the CBD.”
