The Issue: The MTA’s initial plan to boost “congestion” tolls by 25% on “gridlock alert days.”
I don’t know if Gov. Hochul realizes it, but she is continuing to put nails in her coffin for the next election (“Congestion con,” Dec. 26).
This trick she pulled with congestion pricing, along with her not taking action against District Attorney Alvin Bragg or Mayor Adams, is hurting her re-election hopes.
Now we learn that the MTA had plans to quietly add a 25% “gridlock” surcharge to be imposed on people driving into certain parts of Manhattan on some days. It was just another scam by this incompetent governor and the MTA board.
Gene O’Brien
Whitestone
As a Manhattan resident below 60th Street, I commute daily by car to my job in Rye Brook. Unfortunately, there is no direct public transportation route available from my home to the office, leaving me with no viable alternatives to driving.
This policy presents a financial burden for me and my family. On top of the already substantial costs associated with commuting, being subjected to this additional fee feels unfair and unsustainable.
A more equitable solution would take into account the unique circumstances of those like myself who rely on personal vehicles due to the lack of public transportation options.
Jane Embree
Manhattan
When will we stop throwing money into this bottomless pit we call the MTA, without any accountability or financial responsibility?
The MTA was legislated into existence in 1968. It can just as easily be legislated out of existence with its operations privatized. Are you listening, Gov. Hochul?
If the MTA is in such dire straights, CEO Janno Lieber and all the top executives should take a 10% pay cut. With their salaries, I’m certain they can afford it.
Why don’t they all surrender their cars and chauffeurs to ride the subway they exalt with its crime, filth and delays, as the rest of us do?
Rolly Lessin
Staten Island
It’s incredible that the “elites” on the Upper East Side and Upper West Side are exempt.
I live downtown and am not exempt from higher taxi prices, Uber prices, trades-people prices and even higher food-truck prices, as they try to recoup yet another tax. And it’s all in the name of handing the wasteful, zero-accountability MTA more money to incinerate.
You want fewer cars? Tax every bridge and tunnel into Manhattan. That would be fair — although no less stupid.
Rome Arnold
Manhattan
I was a cancer patient in 2020 and had to travel from Staten Island into the city to the hospital five days a week for 32 radiation treatments. There was no way that I would have been able to take public transportation during my radiation treatments.
Now imagine if I had the burden of paying congestion pricing — the added stress that would be put on me and my family.
Congestion pricing may force people to rethink how they should get treatments — which may cause some people to die because they can’t afford to travel to the best hospitals in the country.
Michael Rosano
Staten Island
The people who voted for Gov. Hochul are morons. Unless you are an MTA executive who will soon have millions to line your pockets from these fees, this won’t help the environment or anything else.
There will just be more to steal and waste while hard-working people get hurt. Blink and the pricing will be $20.
Carol Meltzer
Manhattan
If history has taught us anything, it is that New York City thrives when the state is governed by downstate New Yorkers.
This idea of congestion pricing should be a warning to all traditional constituents. Teachers, postmen, sanitation workers, health care providers and anyone I inadvertently left off this list should have nothing but disdain for such an outrageous reach into the pockets by this upstate highwayman.
Ken Karcinell
Hewlett
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