Governor Paterson Supports Congestion Pricing

Jen Chung

Published Mar 21, 2008

Modified Mar 21, 2008

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Jen Chung

Published Mar 21, 2008

Modified Mar 21, 2008

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Governor David Paterson has officially announced his support of congestion pricing, "Congestion Pricing addresses two urgent concerns of the residents of New York City and its suburbs: the need to reduce congestion on our streets and roads, and thereby reduce pollution and global warming; and the need to raise significant revenue for mass transit improvements."

He has introduced a bill that follows the recommendations of the NYC Traffic Mitigation Commission made in January (zone starts at 60th Street, east and west side highways would not be free). Highlights of the bill are below; Streetsblog notes Paterson is "do right by his old State Senate district" (over half of his Senate constituents use mass transit). And of course, the $354 million the feds are offering if congestion pricing passes is quite tempting--New York (meaning agreement from the city and state) only has until March 31 to agree on a plan to still get the money, though.

And Mayor Bloomberg, who met with Paterson earlier this week--Paterson said on Wednesday that Bloomberg "really has a thing for congestion pricing"-- is thrilled:

"Today, Governor Paterson has demonstrated true leadership by submitting a congestion pricing bill to the Legislature that will meet all of the objectives we've set - cutting traffic and reducing pollution to improve our economy and public health, and raising revenue to fund much needed projects included in the MTA Capital Plan. The bill is a giant step forward, and its timely passage will ensure that New York gets $354 million in federal money that we've been promised. Those funds will allow us to make immediate transit improvements. We will work with the Governor and our partners in the State Legislature and the City Council to address outstanding issues - including reducing the impact on lower income drivers, and concerns about commuters who use Port Authority crossings contributing to the MTA Capital plan. Together, I'm certain we can pass a bill that will improve the lives of New Yorkers."

The City Council is holding a congestion pricing hearing on Monday, March 24. If you're interested in congestion pricing, you should consider attending--details below.

Highlights from Governor Paterson's congestion pricing bill:

o The Congestion Pricing zone would include any roadways in Manhattan south of and inclusive of 60th Street between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for certain public holidays.
o Establish the fee as recommended by the Commission, including a surcharge on taxis and livery vehicles.
o Eliminate the Manhattan long-term parking tax discount for vehicles parked within the zone.
o Set out privacy protocols based on existing EZ Pass privacy controls.
o Provide exemptions for authorized emergency vehicles; safety, traffic and parking control, and inspection vehicles; sanitation vehicles; school vehicles; and privately operated over-the-road buses.
o Prescribe a residential parking permit program.
o Lay out the environmental review process for Congestion Pricing which follows the Commission’s recommendation.
o The City will oversee a monitoring program for traffic, air quality, noise, parking and other environmental impacts and release annual reports; a preliminary report will be available to the public within six months of the operation date.
o The funds raised by the fee will be used, after deducting for the cost of operations, to support the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) capital plan, which was released at the end of February.
o Priority for funding will be for areas in need underserved by transit.
o Capital expenditures will be subject to approval by the MTA’s capital program review board, and a representative of the New York City Council Speaker will have the same rights and privileges of the board members appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the Senate Minority Leader and the Assembly Minority Leader.
o For capital expenses derived from Congestion Pricing, the MTA will follow all legally applicable prevailing wage laws.
o Any increase in parking fees by the City, as recommended by the Commission, will go into a “transit enhancement fund” to be used exclusively for additional transit, pedestrian, bicycle and parking management improvements, including ferries.

And for this Monday's congestion pricing meeting at the City Council Chambers at City Hall. The hearing begins at 10 a.m.; some suggest arriving by 9:15 a.m. because of security. It's possible public input (on a first-come, first-serve basis) won't start until the afternoon.

Tagged

congestion pricing

governor paterson

mayor bloomberg