Staten Island, Port Richmond Residents Weigh In On Congestion Pricing Effects Thus Far In First Week

Editor’s note: See our previous coverage of this new below-60th Street toll for vehicles in Manhattan, as well as of the legal battle against it.  

Congestion pricing and the ramifications of it.

We have received some concerns to this newly enacted initiative which already out of the gate is causing some significant problems:

-Late arrivals of buses.

-Overcrowding of buses enroute to the SI ferry through the Richmond terrace viaduct.

-No added services for our community particularly in Port Richmond.

-Increased travel times to/from the ferry during Rush Hours.

These issues were brought up only 48 hours after the start of “CP”

Please see below letters we sent out to both the MTA Chair and to our Borough President Vito Fossella.

BP Fossella was on point when he stated this would have significant ramifications regarding the health and environment in the North Shore Communities. We support BP Fossella in the push to stop this TAX placed on our vulnerable community.

RE: Community Opposition of New York City Congestion Pricing Plan

Janno Lieber and Board Members of Metropolitan Transit Authority,

We write in frustration and condemn you and the executive members of Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) on your position of New York Congestion Pricing Plan.

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This Civic Group represents the most diverse and some of the vulnerable residents in the Port Richmond Community. We are a growing community of middle-class families. Families which are in desperate need for innovative plans for public transportation along the North Shore corridor.

Since, Your agency has lacked transparency and innovation related to improving and updating transportation services for the island’s most vulnerable. Many in our community are employed with the City of New York and many work in the healthcare industry such as Home Health Aides and nurses caring for our City’s Seniors and special needs.

Unfortunately, due to the antiquated transportation system for our North Shore residents, they are compelled to utilize their personal vehicles.

Because of your reckless and cautiously discriminative position on this plan, this added cost averaging $15.00-$23.00 per trip, totaling approximately $5,520.00 annually would decimate families and deny them of basic family needs.

The (MTA) proposal forces riders to reroute their passage to the city throughout our already vulnerable community. Port Richmond and the North Shore-waterfront were a major entity during the industrial revolution.

Because of this, residuals of these manufacturing plants and sites left remnants in our grounds throughout many parts of the North Shore, including Port Richmond. Because of this, Port Richmond is now designated an “Environmental Justice Showcase” under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Under this Designation, comes restrictions related to commercial traffic, idling, construction, and excessive transportation.

In January 2024 we published a polling platform for members of our community to vote on such a proposal regarding NYC Congestion Pricing. A total of 2,719 individuals participated. The results were overwhelming;

Against: 2,666

For: 53

Members of the Port Richmond Community along with this Civic Group oppose your disastrous Congestion Pricing proposal as this would financially cripple many families and significantly affect the Quality of Life of our residents.

Your reckless persistence on this plan will potentially bring a significant health hazard into our diverse community.For your consideration.

To BP Fossella: 

RE: Community Opposition of New York City Congestion Pricing Plan

Honorable Vito Fossella,

We write in frustration and condemn the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) regarding the New York Congestion Pricing Plan. This Civic Group represents the most diverse and some of the vulnerable residents in the Port Richmond Community.

We are a growing community of middle-class families. Families which are in desperate need for innovative plans for public transportation along the North Shore corridor.

Many in our community are employed with the City of New York and many work in the healthcare industry such as Home Health Aides and nurses caring for our City’s Seniors and special needs.

Unfortunately, due to the antiquated transportation system for our North Shore residents they are compelled to utilize their personal vehicles.

The added cost of a charge averaging $15.00-$23.00 per trip, totaling approximately $5,520.00 annually would decimate families and deny them of basic family needs.

The (MTA) proposal forces riders to reroute their passage to the city throughout our already vulnerable community.

Port Richmond and the North Shore-waterfront were a major entity during the industrial revolution. Because of this, residuals of these manufacturing plants and sites left remnants in our grounds throughout many parts of the North Shore, including Port Richmond. Because of this, Port Richmond is now designated a “Environmental Justice Showcase” under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Under this Designation, comes restrictions related to commercial traffic, idling, construction, and excessive transportation.

In January 2024 we published a polling platform for members of our community to vote on such a proposal regarding NYC Congestion Pricing. A total of 2,719 individuals participated.

The results were overwhelming; Against: 2,666 For: 53

Members of the Port Richmond Community along with this Civic Group oppose the Congestion Pricing proposal as this would financially cripple many families and significantly affect the Quality of Life of our residents.

Members of the Port Richmond community support your efforts in stopping this unnecessary burden on our working-class community

Banner Image:  MTA Chair & CEO Janno Lieber with the final Congestion Relief Zone sign to be unveiled at Broadway & West 62nd St. on Saturday, Jan 4, 2025, hours before the Central Business District Tolling Program goes into effect. Image Credit – NYC MTA