NJ: Union Port Leaders Urge Exemption of Essential Workers from NYC Congestion Pricing Fee

Union leaders representing Port Authority workers, including police, PATH, airport workers, and bridge and tunnel maintenance crews, have criticized the proposed congestion pricing plan to charge up to $23 to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street.

They argue that the plan would harm the Port Authority's workers and revenue, as it would reduce traffic by 7% to 9% annually. The Port Authority's 5,000-person workforce, including essential workers, is also affected by the congestion pricing fee. The MTA's environmental and economic analysis did not consider the economic harm that would be inflicted on the Port Authority and essential workers.

A Port Authority study of the effects of congestion pricing is still ongoing. Airport and aviation revenues and tolls were the agency's top money makers, but the agency still faces a $3 billion revenue loss due to travel downturns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Congestion pricing is projected to generate $1.02 billion to $1.48 billion annually to support the MTA capital improvement program, but not one cent of that revenue will go to the Port Authority, the PATH rail system, or for the replacement of the Port Authority Bus terminal.

A bipartisan congressional coalition has worked on legislation that would economically sanction New York by withholding federal transportation funds and requiring a financial audit of the MTA if congestion pricing is implemented. MTA CEO Janno Lieber questioned the validity of figures in a report, leading to a prediction of a $2 toll increase for Port Authority revenue reduction.

Union leaders inspected major projects affected by the revenue shortfall, including a New Port Authority bus terminal, airport projects, and PATH rail system upgrades.

Congestion Pricing received federal approval in June, allowing a six-member board to set rates and grant exemptions for tolls at Hudson and East River tunnels. The Traffic Mobility Review Board will recommend fee rates and exemptions to the MTA Triboro Bridge and Tunnel Authority board. Congestion pricing could be operational in Spring 2024, but it could change depending on a New Jersey lawsuit against the Federal Highway Administration's approval of the MTA Environmental Analysis.

Murphy and federal lawmakers argue a more stringent Environmental Impact Statement study is needed, as the MTA study predicted increased air pollution in Bergen County due to traffic detouring around the congestion zone.

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