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Lousy Commute? Speak Up for Congestion Pricing Now!

The great promise of New York’s congestion pricing plan is that it will raise critically needed money for public transit system expansion and repair. Congestion pricing advocates are bringing that message straight to transit riders — the constituency most poised to benefit from the pricing plan — and asking them to speak out in favor of the plan to their elected officials.

Starting today, the Empire State Transportation Alliance and Campaign for New York’s Future, two coalitions of which Tri-State is a member, will run advertisements in 4,000 subway cars, all 4,518 buses in New York City Transit’s bus fleet, and 870 commuter trains. Ads will run through the end of March in both English and Spanish. The ads urge riders to learn more about congestion pricing’s benefits and send letters supporting pricing to their elected officials by visiting www.bettertransit.org.

At the press conference launching the ad campaign, held in Manhattan’s Grand Central Terminal this afternoon, Straphangers Campaign attorney Gene Russianoff said the ad campaign was “unprecedented” in size and scope and showed the diversity of support for congestion pricing. Sixty percent of NYC registered voters support congestion pricing as a means to improve mass transit, according to a January Quinnipiac University poll. The Campaign for New York’s Future comprises more than 150 organizations that support congestion pricing, including neighborhood associations, think tanks, churches, labor groups, environmental organizations, chambers of commerce, public health organizations, and transportation advocacy groups like Tri-State.

“It’s time to stop treating transit service like the weather, something out of our control that doesn’t always cooperate,” said Kate Slevin, executive director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign. “These ads help New Yorkers understand that they have a say right now- by voicing support for congestion pricing they will help secure better transit service and faster commutes.”

For New York City to receive $354 million in federal funds, the NYC Council and NY State Legislature must approve a congestion pricing plan by March 31. The plan recommended by the state Traffic Congestion Mitigation Commission would also raise $491 million annually for transit improvements.

To take action, go to bettertransit.org.

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[…] addition to the Empire State Transportation Alliance/Campaign for New York’s Future campaign already underway. Ads for the EDF campaign will appear on bus shelters (an example is shown above), subway cars, […]

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