Partnership Urges Rapid Completion of Central Business District Tolling

The Partnership for New York City submitted the following comment in support of Central Business District Tolling.

The Partnership for New York City supports the Central Business District Tolling Program (CBDTP) and its prompt implementation. As Manhattan’s one million office workers return to the workplace, excess traffic congestion will become a bigger problem. In a 2018 report, the Partnership estimated the cost of excess congestion in the metro area as $20 billion a year. During the pandemic, car usage has been relatively stable, while mass transit and commuter rail has suffered huge losses in ridership. At no point has the urgency been greater to encourage and incentivize the use of mass transit and other transportation alternatives. Reducing vehicular traffic through tolling is a proven means to accomplish these goals. Particularly in the wake of Hurricane Ida and the growing impacts of climate change, investing in a modern and resilient MTA through CBDTP revenues is essential.

The business community has supported smart tolling strategies for more than a decade and we are encouraged that Governor Hochul, MTA leadership, labor, and our partners in Washington D.C. have made this a priority. We urge rapid completion of the MTA environmental assessment. We are confident the results will continue to demonstrate CBDTP’s value to New York City’s economy and environment.