Rockland County Resuming Congestion Pricing Lawsuit

Following New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement November 14th to move forward with Congestion Pricing in January 2025, the New York Federal Court system has set new dates for motions. 

County Executive Ed Day & County Attorney Thomas Humbach will resume the lawsuit filed against the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA) & Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) over its Congestion Pricing plan.

The Complaint, on behalf of the County of Rockland and Edwin J. Day, seeks an injunction against the commencement of the upcoming Central Business District Toll.  Rockland residents, particularly the middle class, are being unfairly penalized from the $40 million annual value gap –between what we pay into the MTA and what we receive in services – that leaves County residents with no true public transportation options to New York City forcing them to drive.   

The MTA’s 2025-2029 Capital Plan, announced on September 18, 2024, directs most funding to subway improvements in New York City, primarily Manhattan, with no mention of Rockland County; rather residents are being unfairly treated as a revenue source for a system that neglects their needs.

Given the lack of investment in local transit options the MTA should be equitably allocating congestion pricing revenue to conduct improvements for Rockland commuters, but they are not. Additionally, Rockland still has no representation on the MTA board since June 2023, leaving us without any voice to oppose this.

Despite New York State always selecting the top choice of a local municipality, as it is a home rule state, Governor Kathy Hochul derailed from the status quo that has been in place for decades and has avoided appointing Rockland’s choice candidate to represent residents on the MTA Board all to avoid potential criticism of her administration from a true commuter on the MTA.

“It is unfair for Rocklanders to be improperly represented because Governor Hochul & the MTA is afraid of criticism and let us decide what is right for our residents,” said County Executive Ed Day. “Our residents who are forced to drive in due to the current inadequate system will not be unfairly penalized by the MTA & State of New York due to a transit desert they created.”

“While the MTA has passed a revised plan with a lower penalty for driving into the Manhattan business district, it remains offensive as it will still cost a commuter about $1,800 per year,” said County Attorney Thomas Humbach. “This is a major slap in the face to the middle class in the current economy and we are hopeful that we will be successful in court and protect our residents from this unfair, anti-labor charge.”

That is just the beginning of the tolling program.  The Governor has promised that the toll will rise to $12 in 2028 and to $15 in 2031.

New York City’s population has declined over 6%, which a new study predicts will continue, and only 60% of the workforce is working in-office full-time, with many employees in hybrid or remote roles; indicating this policy is clearly not about addressing congestion but rather about increasing revenue to cover MTA budget shortfalls, part of which is likely caused by the estimate $700 million lost to far evasion just last year.