Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Congestion Pricing

Support for Pricing From Nassau Dem Michelle Schimel

016.jpgWhile many of her colleagues are hoping to avoid taking a stand on congestion pricing by urging Speaker Sheldon Silver to kill the plan without a vote, Nassau County Assembly Democrat Michelle Schimel has come out strongly in favor with an editorial in the Great Neck Record:

For more than 300,000 Long Island residents, the daily commute to New York City is often a difficult one --- either because their mass transit experience is unpleasant and slow or because they sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic from their home to their office. Unfortunately, it's only going to get worse. Our region can expect more and more drivers on our streets, and riders in our buses and trains. But, as of now, we don't and won't have the funds to make real improvements to handle the overflow.

[Congestion pricing] would reduce traffic by 8 percent in Long Island and across the region while earning $500 million a year that would go directly to mass transit projects such as modernization of the Long Island Rail Road and East Side Access --- projects that could cut commuters' trips by as much as 44 minutes a day, according to the Regional Plan Association. The reduced congestion will also help drivers who aren't commuting daily to Manhattan, freeing up roadways to save everyone time.

More important than the cost to a small percentage of commuters is the cost of maintaining the status quo and not implementing a congestion pricing plan. Millions more people will clog our roads over the next few decades without viable alternative mass transportation options, making daily commutes far more unbearable.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

OPINION: ‘Summer Streets’ Shows That Car-Free Roads Give Kids the Independence They Need

A 9-year-old shares his experience of riding on DOT’s Summer Streets by himself. 

September 3, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines: Beautiful Day Edition

The weather is going to be stupendous again, so get out there ... after reading today's news digest.

September 3, 2025

State DOT Partially Backs Off Cross Bronx Expwy. Expansion

Advocates are still concerned about a project that will widen five bridges and create a temporary roadway.

September 2, 2025

Instacart Now Claims it ‘Supports’ Worker Minimum Wage That It Fought To Defeat; Experts See ‘Corporate Spin’

After an all-out campaign against a minimum wage for its workers, Instacart now claims it "supports" the bill. But that's just "a flat-out lie," said one worker advocate.

September 2, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines: Jerry, We Hardly Knew Ye Edition

Finally, an honorable pol makes the choice to retire before everyone grows to hate him. Plus other news.

September 2, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: Closed for Labor Day Edition

It's time for the best parade of the year. Plus the weekend's news (so far).

September 1, 2025
See all posts