I think a gas tax is the best method as it is directly proportional to how much one drives and pollutes and would incentivize people to use alternative methods. As an alternative I would favor a fee based on miles driven and think this would reduce congestion as more people would use mass transit and this would help the surrounding neighborhoods from congestion and pollution.

I believe options should be explored to reduce traffic through imposing fees on drivers accessing regional central business districts, however, I do not support East River Bridge tolls, as those in my district trying to access hospitals and work would be at a disadvantage compared to resident of Manhattan.

I am confident that a road pricing strategy would change New Yorkers' travel choices. Quite simply, people respond to positive and negative incentives. The question that I am most concerned about how exactly they will respond and how it will impact the neighborhoods in my district. Unquestionably, it will reduce vehicular congestion in Manhattan, the BQE, Gowanus and the L.I.E. The empirical evidence is overwhelming that it is the most powerful policy tool we possess to reduce unnecessary driving and promote environmentally sound transportation. At the same time, careful planning and mitigation are essential before we implement such a plan. Given the 26th District’s proximity to Manhattan, I am deeply concerned that my district will become a parking lot for residents of Eastern Queens and Long Island looking to avoid congestion pricing tolls. Alternate side of the street parking is one way to minimize the effect of this on small businesses by increasing the turnover of vehicles, and parking permits could protect local residents.

Road pricing would certainly change millions of New Yorkers’ travel choices. However, it may not have a positive benefit on my council district. If the costs for traveling into Manhattan are increased, it is possible that drivers would drive and park in this neighborhood and then take the ample public transportation (9 subway stops and 2 LIRR stops) from here. This could result in increased congestion in this council district, and less parking available for our residents. Therefore, I am very concerned about congestion pricing that is focused on reducing the congestion in only Manhattan. I am concerned about any proposal that includes toll increases on the bridges. I would be in favor of something that reduces congestion within the city as a whole; the spillover effects on the outer boroughs need to be considered, however, before any proposal is adopted.

I was against congestion pricing because it did not adequately account for the needs of Queens residents, especially from 29th districts. I fully understand and strongly support the need to increase public transportation. That is why I will fight day in and day out to increase the amount of express trains and express buses into the city. I will also work with the MTA to modernize our subways to allow for greater space for the increasing numbers of riders.

I believe that a road pricing strategy could have some effect on how New Yorker's travel. Our primary concern is that any pricing strategy that is implemented must be done in a way that is fair to all New Yorkers, and that necessary upgrades to infrastructure to accommodate a plan are included and mandatory before a plan takes effect (i.e. addressing neighborhood parking, and ensuring that outlying neighborhoods have access to reliable public transit). I believe that a well thought out plan could have a significant affect in reducing traffic along our main highways pending that the promotion of alternative modes of transportation are encouraged and incentivized by the city. The benefits to surrounding neighborhoods would be seen in the reduction of noise and pollution.

I was a strong supporter of congestion pricing when it came to the Council last spring, and continue to believe that some form of this strategy is needed to reduce vehicular congestion. Reducing congestion would also create positive health benefits for effected communities, since they would see a reduction in auto emissions and traffic related noise.

This is a complex question that can only be answered by listening to the community. I believe that reducing vehicular traffic congestion on our high-traffic roadways can have a significant positive impact on the surrounding neighborhoods by increasing business, providing recreation space and improving environmental conditions. While I support efforts to reduce vehicular traffic and fund mass transit, there are problems with the current congestion pricing plan that need to be addressed. The current plan does not take into account the disproportionate impact on small businesses, seniors, handicapped, etc. that rely on vehicular traffic. Most concerning is that the plan does not even guarantee that the monies collected through the schema actually get channeled into improving our public transit. As City Council Member, I will commit myself to addressing these needs and solving the shortcomings in the plan.

The goal of alleviating congestion in our city’s roadways is one that we should all be striving to achieve but I do not subscribe to the idea that we should increase tolls on the middle and working class in order to accomplish this. I would rather have a system in which we take advantage of ideas already in use like the High Occupancy Vehicle lane. If a driver has 2, 3, or even 4 people in a car that driver should be rewarded with a tax incentive not punished with a toll.

Traffic congestion is a constant problem in New York City and I would definitely consider any proposed legislation that would seek to ease congestion. However, I would never in any way, shape, or form, support legislation that would increase tolls or fees on the already-burdened working families in my district that have been the backbone of the City. It is important to weigh any plans promise of reducing congestion with the very real danger of crushing tolls and fees on drivers. Many residents of this district are forced to drive because of the lack of viable public transportation alternatives and it is essential that such residents are not penalized with any large or arduous fees. The best way to ease congestion is to increase the public transportation alternatives.