Skoufis plans to help Orange County commuters

State Senator James Skoufis (D, Cornwall) Monday announced his plan to get toll relief for Orange County commuters.

Before heading up to Albany to work on the senate version of the 2024-25 budget, he talked with reporters about getting the same discount that Westchester and Rockland commuters enjoy on the Mario Cuomo (Tappan Zee) Bridge.

Westchester and Rockland commuters get a 20 percent discount on their trips.  Skoufis wants the same discount to be made available to Orange commuters who use E-ZPass.  He wants to make the discount part of the state budget.  The plan would carry a $3 million price tag for the spending plan.  He said the discount would also be helpful to those who travel to Manhattan to see a Broadway show or visit family and friends.

His plan is in keeping with his other transit-related efforts, such as opposing congestion pricing in Manhattan.  In referencing congestion pricing, Skoufis called it a “bad plan that needs to be brought to a screeching halt.”

Skoufis has joined other legislators representing Orange County in a federal lawsuit filed by United Federation of Teachers to stop the congestion pricing proposal.