The MTA on Monday touted the primary week of the controversial state-imposed congestion pricing plan in Midtown Manhattan — however critics say the company’s math is method “fuzzy.”
Transit company officers mentioned “anecdotal studies” present visitors is transferring extra easily within the congestion zone, commuting instances are down and extra New Yorkers are hopping on metropolis buses due to the brand new $9 toll per automobile that kicked in on Jan. 5, though their numbers don’t precisely make the case.
“The MTA math is greater than fuzzy — it’s fugazi,” metropolis Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Queens) quipped Monday. “I imagine of their mathematical abilities as a lot as I believed of their timeline for the Second Avenue subway.”
MTA officers advised reporters journey instances on inbound bridges was down as a lot as 40% over the primary week of the plan, whereas visitors south of 61st Avenue dipped by 16% from October and seven.5% — or 273,000 fewer automobiles in comparison with a snapshot of the identical time span final yr.
For instance, the company mentioned the SIM24 saved seven minutes getting throughout the Lincoln Tunnel in comparison with final yr, and the B39 bus received throughout the Williamsburg Bridge 3.9 minutes sooner.
“I feel it’s apparent to all people right here that it has been an excellent week right here in New York,” MTA Deputy Chief of Coverage advert Exterior Relations Juliette Michaelson advised reporters Monday.
“Simply look out the window. There’s much less visitors and faster streets. I feel all people can see it.”
Effectively, not all people.
“The champagne popping is untimely,” Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella advised The Put up. “Folks will do what they’ll to keep away from paying the $9 toll.”
Susan Lee, chief of the group New Yorkers In opposition to Congestion Taxes, famous that the MTA evaluation overlooks some fairly apparent details.
“January is normally the slowest month of the yr,” mentioned Lee, a Tribeca resident. “Whereas some areas expertise much less visitors, others have seen larger than common congestion as a consequence of drivers avoiding paying the congestion pricing tax. The MTA ought to be cautious what they’re celebrating.”
Nassau County Govt Bruce Blakeman mentioned the MTA omitted one other important stat.
“The declare is outrageous as a result of anyone with frequent sense might work out {that a} 16% discount in visitors equates to 16% much less folks shopping for a cup of espresso, getting a meal, purchasing and creating financial exercise,” Blakeman mentioned. “It’s a tax on hardworking households that reside in and commute to decrease Manhattan.”
Mayor Eric Adams famous at a briefing that the congestion pricing plan didn’t come from Metropolis Corridor — however New Yorkers and Huge Apple commuters are caught coping with it.
“I feel so as to be exact we’d like exact numbers,” the mayor mentioned of the MTA briefing. “I used to be simply permitting the method to play out.
“It’s the regulation of the land proper now and the worst factor I can do is throw extra hysteria into this regulation of the land, significantly [when] I don’t have any management over [it],” he mentioned. “We’re a creature of Albany. Albany made the choice. The MTA made the choice.”
In the meantime, former longtime US Sen. Alfonse D’Amato, who lives in Island Park, mentioned the state’s congestion pricing plan will finally drive of us out of the Huge Apple.
“That is nothing to have a good time,” he mentioned. “It’s not good. It’s dangerous.”.
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