No More Names on the List: Act Now to Stop the Street Toll

Businesses in Manhattan’s toll zone pass new $9 congestion fee to customers. Councilman Holden calls it a scam tax. Residents pay even if they don’t drive. Gridlock grows near the border. Critics warn of rising costs and slower emergency response.

On January 5, 2025, New York City began enforcing congestion pricing below 60th Street, charging drivers $9 during peak hours. The measure, discussed in the article 'NYC residents slapped with congestion pricing ‘surcharge’ by fed-up companies paying new toll: ‘Hochul inflation’,' has sparked backlash. Queens Councilman Robert F. Holden, representing District 30, condemned the move, stating, 'It’s no surprise that businesses will pass the Congestion Scam Tax on to consumers.' Companies like CompuVoip and Dream Events & Decor now add surcharges for customers in the zone. Holden’s criticism joins that of Bronx Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato and others, who warn of higher costs and increased gridlock. Emergency unions claim response times will suffer. The bill’s impact on vulnerable road users was not assessed.

• NYC residents slapped with congestion pricing ‘surcharge’ by fed-up companies paying new toll: ‘Hochul inflation’, nypost.com, Published 2025-01-05

Congestion pricing hits Manhattan at midnight. Cars pay to cross south of 60th. Lawmakers split. Some call it a burden. Others hail cleaner air, safer streets, and better transit. The toll stirs anger, hope, and a fight over who pays and who breathes.

On January 3, 2025, congestion pricing (no bill number cited) will begin in Manhattan after a federal judge allowed the toll to proceed. The policy charges most drivers $9 to enter south of 60th Street during peak hours. The matter, titled 'Congestion pricing set to begin at midnight Sunday as federal judge clears path for Manhattan toll,' has drawn sharp lines. Council Member Robert F. Holden (District 30, Queens) opposes the toll, warning, 'I don't know how my district is going to be impacted.' He fears more cars parking in Queens and unclear pollution risks. Council Member Kristy Marmorato (Bronx) calls it a 'cash grab.' In contrast, State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez and Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas support the measure, citing cleaner air, safer streets, and transit upgrades. González-Rojas says, 'Congestion pricing isn't about penalizing anyone—it's about modernizing our transportation system and tackling climate change.' The judge ordered further study on environmental impacts, but the toll begins as scheduled.

• Congestion pricing set to begin at midnight Sunday as federal judge clears path for Manhattan toll, amny.com, Published 2025-01-03

As congestion pricing begins, unions and politicians rage. They claim tolls hurt workers and raise costs. Facts show most commuters use transit. Fewer cars mean faster emergency response. The toll funds transit upgrades. The drama masks real safety gains for all.

On January 3, 2025, public debate erupted as New York City prepared to activate congestion pricing in Manhattan. The measure, set to fund $15 billion in subway and rail improvements, drew fierce opposition from unions and Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato, who called it a 'cash grab' that would 'increase all costs in our daily lives.' The union for FDNY EMTs argued the toll would burden low-wage workers, but data shows 90% of commuters already use public transit. City officials, including mayoral spokesperson Liz Garcia, insisted emergency response would not suffer. The measure's summary notes that reducing car traffic will speed up emergency vehicles and protect passengers. The uproar highlights the tension between entrenched driving privileges and the urgent need to make streets safer for vulnerable road users.

• Congestion Pricing Is Happening: Cue the Irrational Drama from the Placard Elite and the Suburbs, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2025-01-03

SUV and sedan slammed front ends on Shore Road. Two people hurt. Police cite blocked views and unsafe lane changes. Impact left both front-seat occupants injured. Steel and glass failed to protect.

According to the police report, a northbound SUV and a southbound sedan collided head-on at 870 Shore Road in the Bronx at 18:36. The SUV’s 74-year-old driver suffered a fractured shoulder. The front passenger, a 51-year-old man, sustained bruises and injuries to his knee, lower leg, and foot. Both were conscious and not ejected. The police report lists 'View Obstructed/Limited' and 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as contributing factors. The sedan, carrying three people, took heavy front-end damage. Driver errors—limited visibility and unsafe lane changes—are cited as causes. No contributing factors are attributed to the victims.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4783111 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Ten vehicles slid uncontrollably north on Hutchinson River Parkway, metal screaming in collision. A 45-year-old woman riding front right died at the scene, her body broken. Slippery pavement caused the crash, listed repeatedly as the sole factor.

According to the police report, a chain-reaction crash occurred early morning on Hutchinson River Parkway when ten cars slid northbound on black ice. The report states, "Ten cars slid north on black ice. Metal screamed." The sole contributing factor cited for every vehicle involved is "Pavement Slippery." All vehicles were traveling straight ahead before losing control. A 45-year-old woman, a front right passenger, suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. The report notes her death repeatedly, once for each vehicle involved. No driver errors such as speeding or failure to yield were listed, only the hazardous road condition. Another occupant, a 14-year-old rear passenger, was injured with back injuries and whiplash, also linked to slippery pavement. The victim’s safety equipment use is unknown. This crash highlights the systemic danger of multiple vehicles losing traction simultaneously on icy roads.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4780490 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A southbound sedan merging unsafely collided with an SUV going straight on Bruckner Expressway. The sedan overturned, injuring all four occupants with contusions and whiplash. Unsafe lane changing and speed contributed to the violent impact and injuries.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Bruckner Expressway at 2:29 a.m. involving a 2020 Chevrolet SUV traveling south and a 2005 Nissan sedan merging southbound. The sedan was merging when it collided with the SUV, causing the sedan to overturn. The report cites 'Unsafe Lane Changing' and 'Unsafe Speed' as contributing factors. Four occupants were injured: the sedan driver, a 29-year-old male, suffered contusions to his elbow and lower arm and was trapped in the vehicle. Three female passengers, ages 41, 43, and 41, sustained whiplash and head injuries. All occupants were conscious but injured. The SUV sustained damage to its left front quarter panel, and the sedan overturned. The driver errors of unsafe lane changing and unsafe speed led to a violent collision and multiple injuries.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4771809 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A tractor truck struck the left rear bumper of a southbound taxi on Westchester Avenue in the Bronx. The taxi carried three occupants. One passenger, a 36-year-old man, suffered knee and lower leg injuries. The collision caused visible vehicle damage.

According to the police report, a tractor truck and a taxi were both traveling southbound on Westchester Avenue near Bruckner Expressway in the Bronx. The tractor truck's right front bumper impacted the taxi's left rear bumper. The taxi carried three occupants, including a 36-year-old male passenger who sustained knee, lower leg, and foot injuries classified as contusions and bruises. He was conscious and not ejected from the vehicle. Both drivers were licensed, and both vehicles were moving straight ahead prior to the collision. The report does not specify contributing factors or driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding. The taxi's damage was limited to the left rear bumper, and the truck's damage was on the right front bumper. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4770152 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan and tractor truck collided on Bruckner Expressway at 10 p.m. The sedan’s front passenger suffered knee and lower leg injuries. Police cited unsafe lane changing as the cause. Both drivers remained conscious and restrained during the crash.

According to the police report, the crash occurred on Bruckner Expressway at 22:00 involving a sedan traveling south and a tractor truck merging southbound. The report identifies 'Unsafe Lane Changing' as the contributing factor to the collision. The sedan’s front passenger, a 23-year-old female, was injured with contusions and trauma to the knee, lower leg, and foot but was not ejected and remained conscious. The sedan driver, a 30-year-old female, sustained whiplash and neck injuries, was conscious, and wore a lap belt. The tractor truck driver, a licensed male from Pennsylvania, was the sole occupant of the truck, which showed no damage. The sedan sustained damage to its right front bumper. The crash highlights the dangers posed by unsafe lane changes on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4763659 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A northbound SUV was struck in the center back end by a tractor truck also traveling north on Bruckner Expressway. The SUV driver, a 36-year-old woman, suffered head injuries and whiplash, left shaken but not ejected from the vehicle.

According to the police report, a 2011 SUV traveling north on Bruckner Expressway was rear-ended in the center back end by a northbound 2016 tractor truck. The SUV driver, a 36-year-old woman, sustained head injuries and whiplash, and was reported to be in shock. She was not ejected from the vehicle. Both drivers were licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of the collision. The report lists unspecified contributing factors for the SUV driver but does not specify any driver errors or contributing factors for the truck driver. The impact point and vehicle damage confirm the truck struck the rear of the SUV. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4761579 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan plowed into a slowing Mack truck on Bruckner Expressway. Metal shrieked. The driver’s chest crushed, his arm torn. He stayed conscious as silence followed. Police cite inattention and tailgating. The road swallowed another body.

A violent rear-end collision unfolded on Bruckner Expressway when a sedan, traveling north, crashed into the back of a slowing Mack tractor truck. According to the police report, the sedan driver suffered severe injuries, including chest trauma and an arm amputation, but remained conscious at the scene. The report states the sedan 'slammed into the back of a slowing Mack truck,' with the impact crushing the driver’s chest and folding the bumper 'like paper.' Police explicitly cite 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' and 'Following Too Closely' as contributing factors. The truck was slowing or stopping when struck. The report makes no mention of any actions by the truck driver contributing to the crash. The focus remains on the sedan driver’s failure to pay attention and maintain a safe distance, as detailed in the official account.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4760999 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Glare and faded lane lines sent a bus and SUV into each other on Bruckner Boulevard. Four people hurt. Whiplash, bruised limbs, shaken nerves. Metal twisted. No warning. Just impact.

According to the police report, a bus and an SUV collided while both made left turns on Bruckner Boulevard at Wilkinson Avenue. Four occupants, aged 47 to 79, suffered whiplash and injuries to the neck, back, shoulder, and leg. All were conscious and restrained. The report lists 'Glare' and 'Lane Marking Improper/Inadequate' as contributing factors. The bus was struck on its left rear quarter panel; the SUV took damage to its right front. Driver errors tied to glare and poor lane markings impaired safe operation and led to the crash. No victim actions contributed, per the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4759892 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council ends jaywalking penalties. Pedestrians now cross anywhere, any time. No summons. Law strips drivers of excuses. Streets shift. Power tilts to people on foot.

Int 0346-2024, now enacted, rewrites New York’s pedestrian rules. The bill, heard by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, passed on September 26, 2024, and became law on October 26, 2024. Its title: “A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to pedestrian crossing guidelines and right of way.” Sponsored by Council Member Tiffany Cabán and co-sponsored by Narcisse, Won, Hanif, Hudson, and Restler, the law lets pedestrians cross streets anywhere, even against signals. No more tickets for crossing outside crosswalks. The Department of Transportation must educate all street users on new rights and responsibilities. The law removes a tool police used to target walkers. It shifts blame from people on foot to the system and those behind the wheel.

• File Int 0346-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-09-26

A motorcyclist struck debris on Shore Road. Glare blinded him. He crashed. His leg broke. His foot twisted. He stayed conscious. The road and light failed him.

According to the police report, a 47-year-old man riding a motorcycle north on Shore Road was injured after swerving to avoid an object in the roadway. The report cites glare and other vehicular factors as contributing causes. The rider, wearing a helmet, suffered a fracture, distortion, and dislocation to his knee, lower leg, and foot. He was not ejected and remained conscious. The motorcycle's undercarriage was damaged. The crash highlights the danger of poor visibility and roadway hazards. No other vehicles or people were involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4755777 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Parking mandates choke streets, raise rents, and trap New Yorkers in car dependence. Council Member Marmorato and Borough President Richards defend these rules, blocking safer, more vibrant neighborhoods. Ending mandates means more housing, cleaner air, and safer streets for people, not cars.

This opinion, published September 3, 2024, in Streetsblog NYC, calls out Council Member Kristy Marmorato and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards for defending parking mandates. Richards opposes lifting mandates in Queens, citing poor transit. Marmorato lobbied to restore mandates in a Bronx rezoning near new Metro North stations, arguing, 'We live in a transit desert where cars are a necessity for daily activities.' The editorial rebukes this logic, stating, 'We should not cling to parking mandates when we know they encourage car ownership, make streets less vibrant, increase rents, and pollute our air.' The piece urges officials to break the cycle of car-first policy, invest in transit, and end mandates that block affordable housing and safer streets. No safety analyst assessment was provided, but the editorial centers the harm parking mandates inflict on vulnerable road users and the city’s livability.

• Opinion: It’s Time to Say ‘No’ to Car Drivers and ‘Yes’ to Ending Parking Mandates, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-09-03

City law now forces DOT to reveal where bikes and scooters go. Streets and bridges, protected or not. Data goes public. Riders’ movement, danger, and safety projects laid bare. No more hiding the facts.

Int 0745-2024, now enacted, came through the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It was introduced April 11, 2024, and passed on August 15, 2024. The law orders the Department of Transportation to post current bicycle and micromobility ridership data online, updated monthly or at least yearly. The matter summary reads: 'requiring the department of transportation to provide information about bicycle and other micromobility device activity.' Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers led as primary sponsor, joined by Farías, Restler, Hudson, Schulman, and others. The law demands transparency on where riders travel and what DOT does to keep them safe. This opens the books on bike movement and exposes gaps in protection.

• File Int 0745-2024, NYC Council – Legistar, Published 2024-08-15

Bronx council member Kristy Marmorato led a committee to keep parking mandates near new Metro-North stations. The move blocks plans to cut car use and build more affordable housing. Cars stay king. Transit and vulnerable road users lose ground.

On August 7, 2024, the City Council's Land Use Committee, led by Kristy Marmorato, amended a rezoning plan (no bill number provided) for areas near two new Metro-North stations. The committee rejected the Adams administration's push to eliminate parking requirements, instead voting to retain mandates and lower building heights. Marmorato argued, "We live in a transit desert where cars are a necessity for daily activities," and prioritized drivers over reducing car dependency. The proposal, part of the Mayor's 'City of Yes for Housing Opportunity' plan, aimed to boost affordable housing and transit-oriented development. Marmorato's stance, echoed in multiple statements, keeps parking at the center and limits safer, walkable streets. No safety analyst assessment was provided, but the move preserves car dominance and its dangers for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Council Trades Housing Affordability for Car Parking Near New Metro-North Stops, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-08-07

Two sedans collided head-on on Bruckner Expressway. The licensed female driver suffered whiplash and full-body injuries. Police cited unsafe speed and driver distraction as causes. The unlicensed male driver was traveling southbound at impact.

According to the police report, the crash involved two sedans traveling southbound on Bruckner Expressway. The licensed female driver, age 21, was injured with whiplash and entire body trauma but was conscious and restrained with a lap belt and harness. The collision occurred at the center front end of both vehicles, with damage extending to the left side doors of the female driver's sedan. The report lists unsafe speed and driver inattention or distraction as contributing factors. The male driver of the other sedan was unlicensed, traveling straight ahead at the time of impact. The report does not indicate any contributing factors related to the injured driver, focusing instead on the errors of the unlicensed driver and unsafe driving conditions.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4746397 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Council members and developers vow to build up to 200 parking spaces per project near new Bronx Metro-North stations. Despite no city parking mandates, car storage dominates debate. Transit access takes a back seat. Vulnerable road users face more cars, more risk.

On July 10, 2024, the City Council held a hearing on proposed rezonings around new Metro-North stations in the Bronx. The matter, titled 'Transit-Oriented Bronx Developments Will Have Ample Parking, Developers Tell Council,' focused on whether to require parking in new residential and commercial projects. Council Members Amanda Faris, Kevin C. Riley, Rafael Salamanca, and Kristy Marmorato all pressed for developers to include parking, despite the city's move to waive mandates. Riley called parking 'a huge issue.' Developers, including Baker Development, promised up to 200 spaces per project. Bronx City Planning Director Paul Philips said, 'We certainly expect developers to provide parking.' The debate ignored the danger more parking brings: more cars, more conflict, more risk for people walking and biking. No safety analyst weighed in, but the outcome is clear—transit-oriented in name, car-centric in practice.

• Transit-Oriented Bronx Developments Will Have Ample Parking, Developers Tell Council, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-07-10

An e-bike rider was ejected and injured in a crash on Shore Road. The 61-year-old male suffered facial contusions and bruises. The police report lists unspecified contributing factors but notes no other vehicles involved or driver errors.

According to the police report, a 61-year-old male e-bike rider was injured and ejected from his vehicle traveling southwest on Shore Road at 19:05. The rider sustained facial contusions and bruises, classified as injury severity level 3. The report identifies the point of impact as the center front end of the e-bike, with damage to the center back end. No other vehicles or pedestrians were involved. The report lists contributing factors as unspecified, with no explicit driver errors or violations cited. The rider was not wearing any safety equipment. The incident highlights the vulnerability of e-bike riders to injury even without clear fault assigned to other parties.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4738764 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 22-year-old male bicyclist was ejected and injured on the Bruckner Expressway. The cyclist, unlicensed and under the influence of alcohol, suffered abrasions and whole-body injuries. No vehicle damage was reported in this early morning crash.

According to the police report, a 22-year-old male bicyclist was riding northbound on the Bruckner Expressway at 3:03 AM when he was ejected from his bike. The report lists 'Alcohol Involvement' as a contributing factor and notes the bicyclist was unlicensed. The bicyclist sustained abrasions and injuries to his entire body but remained conscious. The bike showed no damage, and no other vehicles were involved or damaged. The report highlights the bicyclist's alcohol involvement and unlicensed status as key factors in the crash. There is no indication of other vehicle driver errors or victim fault. The incident underscores the dangers posed by impaired and unlicensed cycling on high-speed roadways.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4739234 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04