NEW YORK (PIX11) – The MTA will be holding its last public hearing on congestion pricing at the agency's headquarters on Monday.
The hearings started last week, with plenty of people making their opinions known. Some said they're supportive of the plan, which will charge $15 for passenger cars coming into Manhattan.
They said they're hopeful for improvements on trains and subway platforms. Other people loudly opposed paying more to get around Manhattan.
One of the questions asked the most at last week's hearing was who might be exempt from paying the toll. People who live below 60th Street and make $60,000 or less per year can apply for a tax credit at the end of the year, according to the MTA.
Emergency vehicles will be exempt from the pricing plan. FDNY firefighters, though, said they use their personal cars to move between firehouses with all their gear and want an exemption too.
Firefighters held a rally and brought their gear to a meeting last week to make their point.
"We can't take gear on a subway," said Alessandra Simone, a firefighter in Harlem. "It would be nice to have the exemption."
The MTA board will get a report of the comments from these hearings before a public discussion and vote likely happening later this month. Judges also have to rule on two of the lawsuits trying to stop congestion pricing.
Two hearings are being held at MTA headquarters Monday, the first at 10 a.m. and the second at 6 p.m.
Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.
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