Hello and thank you to the Chair and committee for holding this hearing today. My name is Tiffany-Ann Taylor and I am Vice President for Transportation at the Regional Plan Association. I am also representing the Congestion Pricing Now coalition which includes dozens of civic, community, transit, and environmental groups that support congestion pricing. We support improving the bus and bike networks of the city as this program advances, and look to your support to ensure the Streets Master Plan is implemented.

We also would like your support on five recommendations we have shared with the Traffic Mobility Review Board:

First, use bridge and tunnel toll credits to reduce excess travel, especially through environmental justice communities. By equalizing tolls across all entry points, we can reduce ​“toll shopping” by incentivizing drivers to take the most direct route. This will require the program to consider other MTA and Port Authority toll credits.

Second, with for-hire vehicles, we think the program should assess a per-ride surcharge paid by the passenger rather than a once per day toll paid by the driver. A per-ride surcharge paid by passengers will reduce financial burdens for drivers while creating a new revenue stream. We do not believe this per-trip surcharge should apply to taxis given their existing financial burdens.

Third, both public and private commuter buses should be exempt from tolls. We should be encouraging the use of public and private bus fleets that connect riders to intermodal transportation hubs within the zone.

Fourth, no additional exemptions should be granted beyond commuter buses and the legislatively mandated exemptions. Any exemptions beyond these recommendations and commitments made by the MTA earlier this year will raise the base toll paid by drivers and deteriorate the effectiveness of the program.

And fifth, trucks and large vehicles should pay a per axle toll. These vehicles have a greater impact on our infrastructure and health, and should pay more based on their size and weight.

Thank you for your time.