Rockland County Exec, NYS Senator Weber Criticize NYC’s Congestion Pricing; Call for MTA Audit

NEW CITY—Rockland County Executive Ed Day, New York State Senator Bill Weber and Rockland County Attorney Thomas Humbach criticized the MTA’s proposed congestion pricing plan, which would impose significant financial burdens on Rockland residents, while demanding the MTA be audited.

“The MTA loses over $700 million annually to fare evasion. Before asking drivers to shoulder more costs, the MTA must be held accountable for managing its budget effectively,” said Rockland County Executive Day at the Dec. 16th press conference held at the Rockland County Office Building in New City, NY. “It raises serious questions about fairness, priorities, and accountability.”

The MTA’s congestion pricing plan would impose a $15 daily toll—starting at $9 in January 2025—on drivers entering Manhattan’s Central Business District. Unfortunately for Rockland residents, driving to Manhattan is not a luxury but a necessity, as public transit options in the county remain limited and unreliable, Day noted.

Rockland County is the only member of the MTA with an annual value gap of more than $40 million between what is paid to the MTA and what is received in return in services. The county has called for an audit of the MTA, citing significant mismanagement and inefficiencies.

Senator Bill Weber, who introduced legislation to permanently repeal the congestion pricing plan and provide toll rebates for Rockland residents, has also advocated for an increase in the annual Dutchess, Orange, and Rockland Fund (DORF) allocation for transit improvements from $2 million to $10 million. Rockland County continues to have no representation on the MTA Board since June 2023.

“Congestion pricing was a bad idea when it was first proposed, a bad idea when it was shelved, and remains a bad idea now that it has been reintroduced. Here in Rockland County, we stand firmly in opposition to this unfair tax and will continue fighting it,” said Senator Weber.

Rockland County is continuing its lawsuit against the congestion pricing plan. County Attorney Thomas Humbach provided updates on the litigation during the press conference, emphasizing the county’s commitment to protecting its residents from this regressive tax.

“In the next week or two, we expect a decision from the court on our motion for a preliminary injunction. We are challenging the foundation of the plan to charge people for use of the public roads in lower Manhattan, and the unconstitutional aspect of these charges,” explained Humbach. “In Rockland’s case we oppose it because it is being done wrong. It is long held law that government tolls and fees are intended to charge a fair price to support a person’s specific use of a government service. It is unfair, unjust, and unconstitutional to charge arbitrary tolls to drivers, some of whom have no choice but to drive like many Rocklanders and divert their money as revenue to support other government services.”

In addition, County Executive Day sent a letter to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday (Dec. 16), disputing her recent comments suggesting that Hudson Valley residents, including those in Rockland, will benefit from congestion pricing, despite there being no significant transit investments and none planned in the most recent MTA Capital Plan.

“Frankly, instead of admittedly making a charge intended to penalize and deter the public from using those roads, perhaps the state and MTA should consider encouraging people use public transportation by improving it rather than engaging in a scheme to punish the people who need or want to go to lower Manhattan, especially when, like Rocklanders, they have few choices of how to get there,” added County Attorney Humbach.

“Rockland County residents deserve better,” concluded County Executive Day. “We will continue to fight this ill-conceived plan and advocate for equitable, fair, and effective policies for all New Yorkers.”Microsoft Teams