Representative Adriano Espaillat Urges MTA to Protect Livery Drivers and Vulnerable Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) recently sent a letter to Janno Lieber, Chair and CEO of the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) urging the state public-benefit corporation to consider the environmental implications of high vehicle congestion and the economic welfare of livery drivers when finalizing their recent New York City Central Business District Tolling Program.

“Neighborhoods near the Cross Bronx Expressway, RFK Bridge, and I-95 have been disproportionately affected by greenhouse gas surges, despite these communities historically contributing the least to overall greenhouse gas emissions,” said Rep. Espaillat.

“Whereas the comment period recently ended for community input, we must consider the calls of an essential working-class immigrant industry or the communities they serve. Nearly 70% of the trips livery-based drivers make are outside of the project’s area, and the request for them to be exempt or be charged just once per day will have minimal impact on the overall project revenue goals.

The Congressman, who has historically supported congestion pricing, notes that the projects revenue will supercharge the first wave of major expansions to New York’s transit system in over half a century— including the nations largest transit equity Second Avenue Subway Phase II extension.

“New York City requires a holistic approach to environmental and economic justice, and the MTA’s consideration of these issues would improve hundreds of thousands of lives throughout the Bronx by reducing air pollution and increasing the overall transit accessibility for many throughout our communities,” Espaillat concluded.

Read Rep. Espaillat’s letter to the Metropolitan Transit Authority in its entirety here.