New MTA congesting pricing-related commuter discounts should extend outside five boroughs, pols argue
A pair of lawmakers representing the Big Apple’s northern suburbs are demanding the MTA expand a congestion pricing-related program to discount Metro North and Long Island Railroad rides.
Reps. Pat Ryan (D-Ulster) and Mike Lawler (R-Rockland) sent a letter on Tuesday to MTA chair Janno Lieber, ripping him over the temporary transit discount plan that won’t apply outside the five boroughs.
“Yet again, you are putting New York City first, and our communities last. Let us remind you the MTA’s job isn’t just to serve the 5 boroughs,” the letter – shared exclusively with the Post – reads.
Under the MTA’s controversial congestion pricing plan, drivers will have to fork over $15 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street beginning June 30.
To help quell some of the outrage over the new toll, the MTA is rolling out discounted monthly transit passes for the LIRR and Metro North – except they only apply to trips inside the city.
The 10% discount would go into effect the day after the congestion pricing plan goes into effect.
The MTA board is likely to pass the proposed discounts at its meeting Tuesday.
“First the MTA forced through an unfair, uninformed, and unacceptable congestion pricing plan, ignoring the voices of countless Hudson Valley firefighters, police officers, union members, teachers and other hard-working families. Now they’re adding insult to injury,” Ryan said, demanding the MTA extend the discounts north.
“For the MTA to now discount the rate just for residents of the five boroughs is a slap in the face to Hudson Valley families,” Lawler said. “With no improvement in service for our communities and still no one-seat ride for Rockland County commuters, it is yet another example of how congestion pricing is nothing more than a massive cash grab to the MTA and NYC at their expense.”
“The MTA is once again picking favorites and granting fare relief to New York City residents while leaving Long Islanders out to dry,” Long Island Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R-Nassau) said.
Proponents of the congestion pricing plan argue it will reduce traffic in Manhattan, cut down on pollution and generate desperately needed cash for the MTA.
“Five years after the Legislature made congestion pricing New York State law, and with 4,000 pages of analysis, hundreds of hearings and outreach meetings behind us, New Yorkers are ready for the benefits – less traffic, cleaner air, safer streets and better transit,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber wrote announcing the start date Friday.
Though the MTA is set to bring the congestion pricing plan online June 30, it still faces several legal challenges.
Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossela and the United Federation of Teachers are joined by a number of New York lawmakers, including several Democrats, in trying to upend the plan. New Jersey is also suing in federal court.
