The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has backed a federal lawsuit that would derail the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) congestion pricing toll, a contentious initiative set to take effect in New York City this summer.
The plan involves charging drivers to enter Manhattan south of 61st Street, sparking a debate on its fairness and community impact.
Jasmine Robinson from the Staten Island NAACP chapter criticized the plan, stating, “This is not fair, this is not right, this is an injustice.”
Despite the looming legal hurdles, the MTA remains steadfast in its intention to secure final board approval by the end of March.
The lawsuit, which includes the city’s teachers’ union among its plaintiffs, seeks to prevent what would be the nation’s first congestion toll.
Michael Mulgrew, President of the United Federation of Teachers, criticized the MTA’s eagerness to implement the plan, stating, “This agency is just ready to flip a switch to get it done. You will be on the wrong side of history if you do not stop this process.”
The plan is set for judicial review in April, with cases pending before both a local and a federal judge in New Jersey.
Despite these challenges, public hearings conducted earlier in March have laid the groundwork for the final vote.
The MTA defends its plan as a fulfillment of state law requirements, aiming to reduce pollution and modernize the city’s mass transit system.
Demetrius Crichlow, Senior Vice President of New York City Transit, highlighted the project’s necessity for infrastructure improvements, “We all know that the infrastructure has to be replaced. We need new trains and signals — congestion pricing at this point is the stream that provides the funding for those things.”
Upon approval, the plan could see the implementation of tolls as early as June 15, with 95% of the necessary toll readers already installed.
Vehicles entering Manhattan below 61st Street will face a $15 charge, while trucks could incur fees ranging from $24 to $36, depending on size.
This pricing structure was part of the Traffic Mobility Review Board’s report, which also outlined the operational details of the congestion tolls, including the times they would apply and the system for charging different types of vehicles.
According to the review board, the introduction of their congestion pricing scheme is anticipated to result in a 17% decrease in the volume of vehicles entering the designated area, which translates to 153,000 fewer cars.
This reduction is anticipated to generate $15 billion in revenue, earmarked for transit upgrades.
Despite certain exemptions for taxis and rideshares, the plan has faced criticism for its broad impact and the limited exemptions provided. The New York Taxi Workers Alliance, for example, has called the proposal “reckless,” predicting severe consequences for drivers.
