NEW YORK (AP) — New York’s first plan to impose a high toll on motorists entering much of traffic-clogged Manhattan is the focus of a legal battle playing out Friday in federal court.
A Manhattan judge is hearing arguments in a series of lawsuits from unionized public school teachers, local Republican officials and other New Yorkers seeking to slow the plan.
Most drivers in private cars, both locals and tourists, entering Manhattan south of Central Park would have to pay about $15 during the day, with higher tolls for larger vehicles and lower rates for motorcycles and late entry into the city, the proposal said was completed in March. Those not enrolled in a regional toll collection program will pay $22.50.
The lawsuits allege that the toll scheme was greenlit by federal transportation officials without proper investigation and that more extensive environmental studies must be completed.
They argue the charge will lead to more congestion and pollution if drivers take alternate routes to avoid the Manhattan toll. They argue that low-income and minority communities that already experience poor air quality will be particularly hard hit by the negative health impacts.
The lawsuits argued that drivers from other parts of the city and suburbs that don’t have adequate public transportation will take a disproportionate financial hit. Meanwhile, small businesses in the congestion zone will face higher operating costs and fewer customers, they say.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the agency overseeing the congestion pricing plan, claims it has conducted extensive environmental studies.
It says it found no significant impacts on communities in the area that could not be addressed through a range of proposed mitigation efforts, such as investments in electric buses to improve air quality.
The MTA says the fee will also help reduce traffic and improve regional air quality by discouraging driving into Manhattan. And it will provide a much-needed annual cash injection of about $1 billion for the city’s subway and bus systems, which carry about 4 million passengers daily.
The agency has warned that any delays in the levy will jeopardize crucial capital improvements, including plans to modernize some of the country’s busiest subway lines. The MTA has said it plans to launch the fee on June 30.
Judge Lewis Liman is not expected to make a decision immediately after Friday’s hearing.
Many of the claims in Friday’s lawsuits echo arguments made last month during a two-day hearing in a New Jersey federal court, where New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich each presented a filed a lawsuit.
Judge Leo Gordon, who is considering these legal challenges, has said he plans to issue a written decision before the toll takes effect.
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Succeed Philip Marcelo twitter.com/philmarcelo.
