Private bus operator shocked they won’t be exempt from NYC’s congestion toll plan: ‘Part of the solution’
NY Post
A private bus operator that transports millions of tourists into New York City is fuming that they could be forced to fork over big bucks as part of a planned congestion toll to enter midtown.
Coach USA and its subsidiary Megabus said its stunned their charter buses won’t be exempt from the toll as it estimates transporting between 9 and 12 million passengers into the congestion zone each year.
“It’s confounding. It. doesn’t make any sense,” vice president of public affairs Dan Rodriguez told The Post.
“We’re doing what the congestion pricing law is designed to do: Get people into mass transit, get cars off the road, reduce congestion and carbon emissions,” he said. “We’re part of the solution and a public benefit that should not be penalized with tolls.”
The MTA’s controversial new congestion pricing program will — barring last minute changes — charge charter and intercity buses coming into the business district south of 60th Street $24 and tour buses $36.
He said the privately run bus service helps keep millions of additional cars from clogging Midtown streets. The double decker Megabus seats up to 81 passengers.
