NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A federal judge was hearing several arguments Friday from New Yorkers who are trying to stop the MTA's congestion pricing plan before it goes into effect on June 30.
Judge Lewis Liman was hearing from three different groups of plaintiffs in the U.S. District Court in Lower Manhattan. The judge isn’t expected to issue a decision immediately after Friday's daylong hearing.
The lawsuits argue that the tolling scheme was given the green light by federal transportation officials without proper scrutiny and that more comprehensive environmental studies need to be completed. The MTA maintains that it has conducted extensive environmental reviews.
One lawsuit filed by the president of the United Federation of Teachers and the Staten Island borough president argues that public sector workers like teachers would "shoulder the burden" of the plan, especially those who don't live near mass transit. The suit also seeks to further study the potential impacts, including to air quality and traffic, on Staten Island and the Bronx.
"We have been clear that this current MTA plan moves pollution and congestion out of Manhattan and sends it into the other boroughs and neighborhoods already dealing with environmental hazards. The MTA then asks these same communities to carry all the cost of making life better in Manhattan," said Michael Mulgrew, president of the UFT, in a statement Friday. "It is not fair, and we are asking the courts to tell the MTA to come up with a better plan."
The other two lawsuits were filed by groups of NYC residents, including a group called "New Yorkers Against Congestion Pricing Tax," who are concerned about congestion pricing's economic impact on small businesses. The Municipal Labor Committee, a labor coalition, as well as various civil rights groups have filed suit, as well.
Representatives from the MTA were also at court Friday. 1010 WINS/WCBS 880 has reached out to the transit agency for comment. MTA officials have warned that any delays to the fee will put vital capital improvements at risk, including plans to modernize some of the nation’s busiest subway lines.
The suits are among seven filed against the plan in federal court in New York and New Jersey. Indeed, many of the claims in Friday's lawsuits echo arguments made last month during a two-day hearing in Newark federal court, where Gov. Phil Murphy and Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich have each filed suits. Judge Leo Gordon, who is weighing those legal challenges, has said he plans to issue a written decision before the toll takes effect.
Proponents of the plan have said it will raise billions of dollars for mass transit while reducing traffic in some of the city's most gridlocked neighborhoods south of 60th Street in Manhattan. The MTA has forged ahead with the planned rollout, saying last month, "New Yorkers are ready for the benefits – less traffic, cleaner air, safer streets and better transit."
All of the tolling infrastructure needed for the plan—which is officially called the Central Business District Tolling Program—has been installed across 108 locations.
The MTA opened an online portal for people to apply for discounts or exemptions to the toll, which will charge most drivers at least $15 daily to enter Manhattan below 60th Street during the daytime.
Tolls will vary based on the time of day and the size of the vehicle, ranging from $1.75 for motorcycles crossing overnight to $36 for sightseeing buses and trucks with trailers during the day.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.