FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 24, 2022
New City, NY – On Thursday MTA Public Hearings begin for the Congestion Pricing Plan, which could result in commuters paying an additional $9 to $23 to drive into the city.
Many Rockland County residents are forced drive into Manhattan due to the scarcity of transit options available, compounded by the sub-par, and often unreliable, rail service operated by NJ Transit via contract with Metro-North, which is extremely limited in quantity and dismal in quality.
The MTA established its Central Business District (CBD) Tolling Program’s Traffic Mobility Review Board (TMRB), tasked with recommending a plan for credits, discounts and/or exemptions for tolls, but without any representation of MTA’s West of Hudson service region, which includes Rockland County.
Rockland is the only County in the MTA region that has a value gap, meaning residents pay more than we receive in transit service and funding. The last formal study placed that gap at about $40 million each year and growing, equating to over $400 million.
“Rockland County cannot support MTA’s proposed Central Business District Tolling Program (CBDTP) unless our commuters are provided a CBD toll exemption or significant discount and a toll credit for the Hudson River crossing tolls they already pay to enter Manhattan,” said County Executive Day.
Since that analysis, MTA has made zero improvements to the Pascack Valley Line rail service schedule and zero significant capital improvements to facilities, equipment, or service in Rockland County, except for the Nanuet Train Station shelter.
Rockland residents are urged to speak out at upcoming MTA Public Hearings on the project’s Environmental Assessment which begin Thursday.
The hearings are scheduled as follows and will be held online, accessible via the project’s website: NYC Central Business District Tolling Program (mta.info):
- Thursday, Aug. 25, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 28, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Monday, Aug. 29, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, Aug. 30, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Wednesday, Aug. 31, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“I and my fellow elected officials are fighting against this travesty with every tool at our disposal,” said County Executive Day. “Your voices are critical to a victory as the MTA needs to see a loud and united front if we are going to stop this plan. Please support us in our fight to protect you and make your voices heard by the MTA.”
