State Senator James Skoufis Challenges MTA’s Congestion Pricing Plan
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State Senator James Skoufis of Orange County, New York, has stoked controversy by threatening to back a lawsuit by New Jersey against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) proposed congestion pricing plan. The plan, which involves a daily $15 fee for vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street, has been met with fierce resistance from Skoufis. He has demanded a carve-out for commuters from Orange and Rockland Counties, describing these areas as ‘transit deserts’ and labeling the lack of significant toll offsets for their residents as ‘outright theft’.
In a recent MTA board meeting, Skoufis’s concerns were largely dismissed as the board decided to advance the fare plan to a public comment phase. The vote was nearly unanimous, with the only opposition coming from Nassau County’s representative. Other suburban board members, along with representatives of Mayor Eric Adams and Westchester, are also pushing for carve-outs for their constituents. These carve-outs would include exemptions for school buses and yellow cabs, further complicating the proposed plan.
Janno Lieber, the MTA Chairman, has shown hesitance to significantly modify the existing proposal. On the other hand, Governor Kathy Hochul applauded the board’s vote to progress congestion pricing, emphasizing the potential advantages such as cleaner air, improved transit, and decreased gridlock in New York City. Supporters view the congestion pricing as a tool to generate funds for MTA projects, including the interborough express and the completion of the 2nd Avenue subway.
The public comment period will encompass four hearings between February and March, with the MTA planning to implement the fares by May. The MTA officials anticipate that congestion pricing will prompt approximately 110,000 drivers to switch to public transportation. The proposal includes tolls that are more costly than previously reported, and commuters without an E-ZPass account would face higher tolls. New Jersey officials have criticized the plan, arguing that it will finance New York City infrastructure at the expense of New Jerseyans.
