MTA's Traffic Mobility Review Board inches closer on details of proposed congestion pricing plan

Yellow cab drivers yelled at board members about exemptions for them, shouting “Shame on you! Exempt the yellow taxis. It's the right thing to do.”

Jon Dowding

Oct 2, 2023, 11:31 PM

Updated 446 days ago

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The MTA’s Traffic Mobility Review Board inched closer to working out more details of the proposed congestion pricing plan for Manhattan, which angered some in attendance.
The TMRB laid out several proposals drivers could face while driving into and around the Central Business District, including areas south of 60th Street.
Traffic Mobility Review Board Special Advisor Juliette Michaelson said the scenarios explained differences in pricing based on the type of vehicle and the time of day.
"The scenarios we'll be discussing prioritize keeping the toll low and to do that, they do that in part by limiting discounts and exemptions,” said Michaelson.
Yellow cab drivers yelled at board members about exemptions for them, shouting “Shame on you! Exempt the yellow taxis. It's the right thing to do.”
Board members raised questions about the MTA's ability to absorb people who stop driving in the CBD once the MTA enacts the tolls.
MTA senior vice president of Subways Demetrius Crichlow said they’ve worked to increase service and routes since the pandemic.
"We have consistently added service and I think we can't discount that at all,” said Crichlow. “Additional service across eight lines and then by next year, four lines will have an additional service."
The goal is to minimize vehicle congestion and collect revenue to fund at least $15 billion for the MTA.
The tolls could range from $9 to $23.
There will be three more public meetings before the board sends recommendations about final tolls rates.
Watch the full meeting here