New York Governor Hochul’s announcement to move forward with a revised congestion pricing toll plan seems to affect the trucking operators unfairly. In this recent announcement by the governor, here are the following key points to ponder:
Revised Toll Plan:
- The plan will lower previous toll rates by 40%
- Cars will have to pay $9 during daytime hours
- Trucks will be categorized into- small trucks: $14.40 and large trucks: $21.60
- Toll hours would be from 5 am to 9pm and 9am to 9pm on weekends with a 75% discount for overnight tolls
But it is seen that the revised toll plans will draw the ire of the Trucking Association of New York (TANY). The association says that the revised toll plan ignores the critical role of trucks in New York’s economy. They also argue that the frequent tolling is likely to increase costs for trucking operators and consumers, disrupting the supply chain. The revised toll which has certain goals for the betterment of the city is also likely to unfairly burden the truckers who transport 90% of goods in the state.
In regard to considering all the cons of the revised toll plans, the TANY filed a federal lawsuit earlier this year to stop the plan and intended to pursue legal remedies for the same.
But what led to initiating such changes? Well, Hochul said that the plan will resume its implementation in January as it was paused after the TANY file the federal lawsuit against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
The plan has some major goals and objectives to achieve:
- The major goal of the plan is to reduce congestion in Manhattan’s Central Business District (south of 60th Street).
- The plan will support funding for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
- Hochul said that- ‘the $15 toll was just too high in this economic climate, thats why our plan cuts the daytime toll to $9 for cars’. By getting the congestion pricing underway and supporting the MTA capital plan, it will aid in unclogging the streets, reducing pollution and deliver better public transit for millions of New Yorkers.
- The small one-unit trucks will pay $14.40 to enter the areas whereas the large two-unit trucks will be charged $21.60. These regular tools will apply from 5am to 9pm on weekdays and 9 am to 9pm on weekends.
- As per the news release, the 75% discounted overnight toll outside these time frames will aim to reduce diversions and encourage off-hours truck deliveries.
TANY President Kenra Hems criticized the revised congestion pricing plan, stating that while political leaders may say it addresses the cost of living, but the reality is far away. This revised plan is likely to remain harmful to the economy and will disrupt supply chains.
She emphasized saying that the TANY will continue to fight against the plan.
“The core problem hasn’t changed,” Hems added. “The disproportionate pricing structure still unfairly targets trucking operators, imposing a regulatory and financial burden on an industry that moves 90% of New York State’s goods.
In another statement, He said TANY will keep following through on its previously filed lawsuit to try to stop the revised toll plan from moving forward.