Among the Huge Apple’s high politicians supported the controversial $9 congestion toll — however they gained’t need to pay it as they’re chauffeured round in NYPD autos, The Submit has discovered.
Mayor Eric Adams, Comptroller Brad Lander and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams are among the many elite crew with safety particulars capable of move toll-free out and in of Midtown Manhattan’s congestion zone south of sixtieth Road.
“I find it hypocritical that city elected officials get a pass on paying the Congestion Pricing Tax because they are chauffeured by the NYPD details,” mentioned Susan Lee, a frontrunner within the group New Yorkers Towards Congestion Pricing Tax.
“However, the hardworking uniformed officers who work in the Congestion Pricing Zone have to pay $9 to drive to work,” Lee added. “How handy for them to assist the Congestion Pricing Tax once they don’t need to shoulder the associated fee like on a regular basis New Yorkers.
The Division of Citywide Administrative Providers, which oversees the federal government’s automobile fleet, cited the MTA’s “emergency vehicle exemption plan.”
“Consistent with the MTA’s rules, all law enforcement vehicles — including those that function as part of a security detail — will receive exemptions under the recently implemented congestion pricing program,” the DCAS mentioned an announcement.
Emergency autos embrace ambulances in addition to police, hearth, army and medical emergency autos.
The $9 toll brokered by Gov. Kathy Hochul went into impact Jan. 5 after Adams’ appointees on the MTA board had enthusiastically voted for the plan in an effort to inject wanted money into the flailing transit company’s capital program.
Each Lander, who’s operating for mayor, and Williams slammed Hochul when she postponed the toll in June, solely to resurrect it days after the 2024 elections.
Lander even backed a lawsuit filed in opposition to Hochul, claiming she had violated the regulation. When the toll lastly went via, he celebrated.
“This is a long-awaited win for millions of hard-working straphangers who ride the subway every day,” Lander mentioned after Hochul lifted her pause on congestion pricing. “New Yorkers will lastly see much less site visitors, cleaner air, modernized subway alerts so trains run on time, and new elevators so everybody can use them.
Comply with together with The Submit’s protection of Manhattan’s new congestion pricing
“We brought our lawsuits to ensure that congestion pricing would go into effect as required by law – and it couldn’t come at a more urgent time. If we don’t get the system in operation before Donald Trump becomes President, we’ll lose $15 billion in critical transit investments that we’ll never see again.”
Williams additionally blasted the momentary pause, claiming it will “do irreparable harm to the city.”
The double normal was an excessive amount of for toll opponents to bear.
“This is just another kick in the head to taxpayers. It’s adding insult to injury,” mentioned Queens Councilman Robert Holden. “They shouldn’t be exempt from congestion pricing. They shouldn’t have chauffeurs. It’s disgusting.”
Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-SI/Brooklyn) known as the exemption “bull.”
“If it’s [congestion pricing] so nice, why don’t they lead by instance and personally pay the toll they’re pushing on working households?
“Better yet, ditch the car and take the train.”
Rep. Mike Lawler mentioned the exemption for New York’s high metropolis pols is a case of “rules for thee, but not me.”
“Every one of these folks who believe congestion pricing is a good thing, should be subject to it personally and pay the toll,” mentioned Lawler, a Republican who represents the decrease Hudson Valley and is eying a run for governor.
A Metropolis Corridor spokesperson mentioned the MTA offers all regulation enforcement autos exemptions when requested about Adams’ place on the problem.
MTA spokesman Tim Minton beforehand advised The Submit that regardless of the exemptions the governor is anticipated to make use of private funds to ship “send $9 to the MTA to pay tolls for each day she spends in New York City.”
Further reporting by Vaughn Golden
