The new $9 congestion charge is an actual killer — even for the lifeless.
Funeral residence administrators in Manhattan are already contemplating passing on the surcharge to these burying the lifeless, they advised The Put up Monday.
Funeral houses that transport the deceased in hearses and different autos should not exempt and need to pay the toll in the event that they enter Manhattan under sixtieth Road, identical to different motorists.
It’s a delicate problem however some administrators admitted they’ll look to tack on the $9 to general funeral prices — contemplating they will’t transport our bodies through public transportation.
“All the prices of doing enterprise are handed alongside to the buyer,” stated Paul DeNigris, of Redden’s Funeral Dwelling on West 14th Road, when requested in regards to the toll.
Redden’s has a fleet of autos — hearses, limousines and different autos used to retrieve or bury the deceased.
“We drive all around the metropolis,” DeNigris added.
A consultant from Boe Fook Funeral Dwelling on Canal Road agreed.
“We’ll seemingly move alongside the price to the shopper,” stated Win Lei. “Will probably be one value and embrace the congestion toll.”
She stated the congestion charge seemingly gained’t be listed as a separate line merchandise, which would seem insensitive.
Danny Buzzetta, proprietor of Peter Jarema Funeral Dwelling on East seventh Road within the East Village, was even a co-plaintiff in the lawsuit filed final yr in opposition to the MTA and the feds in a failed bid to place the brakes on the toll, which was enacted Sunday.
Buzzetta stated his enterprise depends on sending his autos to cemeteries, crematories, hospitals and health worker areas outdoors the Central Enterprise District toll zone.
“He must drive from contained in the CBD zone to varied areas outdoors the CBD zone a number of instances per day. Each single cemetery and crematory is positioned outdoors the CBD zone and lots of hospitals and medical experts relied upon by Mr. Buzzetta are additionally outdoors the CBD zone,” the lawsuit, filed by New Yorkers Towards Congestion Pricing Tax, stated.
Funeral houses can’t transport lifeless our bodies through mass transit, the lawsuit famous.
“For apparent causes, Mr. Buzzetta can’t use public transportation to move deceased New York Metropolis residents. The monetary burdens created by Congestion Pricing will pressure Mr. Buzzetta to lose his enterprise,” the go well with stated.
It’s simply one other insult to the lifeless, who additionally need to pay inheritance tax or property tax on belongings after they depart this world — derided by critics because the “dying tax.”
“As Benjamin Franklin as soon as stated, ‘Nothing is definite in life besides dying and taxes.’ Sadly, Kathy Hochul’s congestion pricing rip-off is making sure each are true on the identical time. How absurd,” stated Congressman Michael Lawler, a decrease Hudson Valley Republican and staunch opponent of congestion pricing.
Imposing the toll on the lifeless is ghoulish, stated Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn).
“Even once you’re lifeless the MTA is digging into your pockets. They don’t have any regard for anybody together with households mourning their family members,” stated toll opponent Malliotakis.
Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella added, “I suppose we have to change the previous saying to: In Manhattan, nothing may be stated to make certain, besides dying and burial taxes “
In response, the MTA stated it voted to restrict exemptions on paying the congestion toll primarily based on the suggestions from its visitors mobility overview board.
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