Rockland County residents react to new congestion pricing plan
The new congestion pricing plan is expected to begin on Jan. 5, 2025.
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The new congestion pricing plan is expected to begin on Jan, 5, 2025 and News 12 heard from some Rockland County business leaders who are reacting to the news.
News 12 visited Oak Beverages in West Nyack on Thursday and spoke to Marlen Lugones-Bracho, the chief strategy officer of the woman-owned business.
It serves much of the Hudson Valley and New York City, including the central business district where congestion pricing would be.
Lugones-Bracho says at least 10 of their trucks make deliveries there five days a week. Under the new toll prices, those vehicles would pay between $9 and $21.60, depending on the size, since their fleet ranges.
"I think it's going to bring a big headache just in regard to accounting figuring out what truck is there and whether or not it's going to be accurate when it does go down there,” said Lugones-Bracho. “How much it's going to cost us to deliver that case and how to adequately represent that in the price."
The CEO of the Rockland Business Association, RBA, tells News 12 they are opposed to congestion pricing.
Rockland County Executive Ed Day also released the following statement on Thursday:
“Rocklanders are already facing critical affordability issues, and imposing this charge will only worsen the burden on families who have been grappling with high inflation, elevated gas prices, and soaring interest rates for nearly two years. Rockland County’s approximately 4,000 residents who commute to the Central Business District, including many first responders, are left without a one-seat-ride option. Despite our community’s $40 million annual value gap – the difference between what we pay into the MTA and what we receive in services – our residents are unfairly penalized.”
