© Liz Rattoballi for 77WABC Radio
(New York, NY) – One group is really fanning the flames against congestion pricing. Two of the city’s unions representing FDNY firefighters have come out against the toll program for drivers entering Manhattan south of 60th street. The program went into effect Sunday at Midnight. Drivers will also see the tolls increase in 2028 to $12 and once more in 2031 to the originally planned $15 charge.
Andrew Ansbro, President of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, says that congestion pricing will negatively impact public health and safety. He claims that response times may slow down since first responders will not be able to arrive at an emergency in their own vehicles, instead will have to navigate traffic in their firetrucks. Uniformed Firefighters Association President James Brosi says that the toll puts a financial burden on residents. Both unions are urging city officials to grant more exemptions for those that work in emergency services.
