PIX11 — Uber, Lyft, and food delivery drivers are rallying against the MTA’s congestion pricing plan, calling it “unfair” because the new toll would essentially be a double tax, organizers said.
Rideshare drivers with the Justice for App Workers are opposed to the plan that could charge drivers up to $23 for driving into Manhattan below 60th Street. More than 23,000 drivers have already inundated the MTA with complaints slamming the additional toll and are planning a massive rally at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in front of MTA headquarters in Downtown Manhattan, organizers said.
“I think the price is unfair,” said Adalgisa Peyero-Diarra, a driver for Uber and Lyft. “If they enforce this fee, thousands of divers could be unemployed and the economy is critical right now.”
The drivers, mostly immigrants, already pay a $2.75 charge to enter below 96thStreet in Manhattan and a $2.50 airport fee. Those fees are passed to the customer.
Considering the gas prices and rising expenses, the additional toll would drive down their business and cripple their livelihoods, organizers said. They want rideshare and food delivery drivers to be exempt from the new congestion pricing fee.
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