Federal judge to hear more lawsuits against congestion pricing

NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A federal judge on Friday heard several arguments from New York residents trying to stop the MTA’s congestion pricing plan before it goes into effect on June 30.

Judge Lewis Liman heard testimony from three different groups of plaintiffs in U.S. District Court in Lower Manhattan. The judge is not expected to issue a decision immediately after Friday’s day-long hearing.

The lawsuit argues that the toll system was given the green light by federal transportation officials without proper oversight and that more comprehensive environmental studies should be conducted. The MTA maintains that it has conducted extensive environmental reviews.

One lawsuit filed by the president of the United Federation of Teachers and the Staten Island borough president argues that public sector workers such as teachers will “bear the brunt” of the plan, especially those who don’t live near mass transit. The lawsuit also seeks to further investigate potential impacts, including on air quality and traffic, on Staten Island and the Bronx.

“We have made clear that the MTA’s current plan removes pollution and congestion from Manhattan and transfers it to other boroughs and neighborhoods that already face environmental threats. “The MTA then turns to these same communities to shoulder the full cost of improving life in Manhattan,” Michael Mulgrew, UFT president, said in a statement Friday. “This is unfair and we are asking the courts to order the MTA to come up with a better plan.”

The other two lawsuits were filed by New York resident groups, including a group called New Yorkers Against Congestion Pricing Tax, who are concerned about the economic impact of congestion pricing on small businesses. The City Labor Committee, a labor coalition and various civil rights organizations also filed a lawsuit.

MTA representatives were also in court Friday. 1010 WINS/WCBS 880 has reached out to the transit agency for comment. MTA officials have warned that any delays in paying the fare would jeopardize significant capital improvements, including plans to modernize some of the nation’s busiest subway lines.

The lawsuits are among seven filed against the plan in federal courts in New York and New Jersey. Indeed, many of the claims in Friday’s lawsuits echo arguments presented last month during a two-day hearing in federal court in Newark, where Gov. Phil Murphy and Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich filed lawsuits. Judge Leo Gordon, who is considering the legal challenges, said he plans to issue a written decision before the toll goes into effect.

Supporters of the plan say it will raise billions of dollars for mass transit while reducing traffic in some of the city’s most congested neighborhoods south of 60th Street in Manhattan. The MTA moved forward with its planned implementation, stating last month: “New Yorkers are ready for the benefits – less traffic, cleaner air, safer streets and better transportation.”

The entire tolling infrastructure needed to implement the plan – officially called the Central Business District Tolling Program – has been installed in 108 locations.

The MTA has launched an online portal where you can apply for discounts or toll waivers. Most drivers will charge at least $15 per day to enter Manhattan below 60th Street during the day.

Fees will vary depending on time of day and vehicle size, ranging from $1.75 for motorcycles passing at night to $36 for tour buses and trailer trucks during the day.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.