Chamber Obtains Support Letter from Senator Gillibrand for Congestion Pricing Exceptions

In May 2024, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with elected officials to advocate on behalf of Staten Island's business community. Among the issues discussed was congestion pricing, which would have disproportionally affected Staten Island's small businesses and our residents.

Thanks to Governor Hochul, the original congestion pricing plan was paused in June 2024. However, efforts to revive the plan continue.

With our urging, Senator Gillibrand has called on Governor Hochul to consider exemptions for Staten Islander's in any new version of the congestion pricing plan while acknowledging the need for transit investments in the borough.

The letter, addressed to NY Governor Kathy Hochul, reads:

Dear Governor Hochul,

I write to share my concerns regarding the effects that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) congestion pricing plan may have on Staten Island residents. While I understand the work MTA has done on the congestion pricing program is directed under New York state law, I am concerned that the tolling plan could place significant financial strain on Staten Island residents without the reciprocal transit benefits in the borough. As you continue to assess the potential resumption of congestion pricing's implementation and possible changes that could be made to the proposed tolling plan, I urge you to consider exemptions for Staten Island residents.

I am concerned that the proposed tolling plan would put a disproportionate financial burden on Staten Island residents as compared with the expected benefits. As you know, many Staten Island residents have to depend on their personal vehicles to access Manhattan, due to the limited availability of mass transit on Staten Island as compared to other boroughs. Further, Staten Island drivers already have to pay a toll to exit or enter their own borough. This means that if the proposed tolling plan is implemented as currently envisioned, many Staten Island residents will have no choice but to be tolled twice just to enter Manhattan, which could be a source of significant financial strain. For example, the daily average commuting cost for a Staten Island resident is expected to increase to roughly $74 under the proposed tolling plan.

I encourage the MTA to consider these concerns by examining an exemption or discount for the personal vehicles of Staten Island residents to ensure that Staten Islanders can continue to enter Manhattan's Central Business District. I also encourage the MTA to consider additional investment into transit options for Staten Islanders, to give additional options for Staten Islanders to enter Manhattan. If you have any questions or would like to discuss further, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,

Kirsten Gillibrand
United States Senator

The Chamber thanks Senator Gillibrand for her support on this issue. We will continue to advocate for small businesses to ensure that Staten Island businesses and residents are treated equitably in any future congestion pricing proposals.

Click here for more information on our D.C. trip, and click here to read a recent op-ed by Chamber President and CEO Linda Baran on congestion pricing and solutions to ensuring Staten Island is treated fairly.