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NYC congestion pricing: FDNY demands exemptions for on-duty vehicles

By and Meredith Gorman
Published  January 5, 2025 6:21pm EST
Congestion Pricing
FOX 5 NY

FDNY unions sounding alarm about congestion pricing

Meanwhile, New York’s bravest are sounding the alarm on congestion pricing. Union leaders say this could slow down the response time of first responders arriving at a fire. FOX 5 NY’s Meredith Gorman has the details.

The Brief

    • Fire officials are demanding exemptions from congestion pricing tolls for on-duty vehicles, citing repeated denials from the state.
    • The unions argue the tolls will negatively impact response times, increase costs, and compromise public safety, as firefighters often use personal vehicles for emergency-related duties.
    • Congestion pricing officially started in New York City on Sunday.

NEW YORK CITY - Congestion pricing has officially begun in New York City, and even fire officials are sounding the alarm on having to pay while on duty.

Firefighter unions came out on Sunday to request that their cars not be paid the congestion pricing tolls — something that they say they have been asking the state for.

The FDNY said at any given time, about 2,000 firefighters are working and most bring their car vehicles into work. These unions are worried about the negative impact that this congestion pricing will have on response times, costs, and public safety.

"All we were asking for was an exemption for our members bringing their vehicles into the zone. Those vehicles are regularly used to transport firefighters to and from their detail to another firehouse, which is a shortage in one spot, and they need them somewhere else. We were denied at every turn," President of the Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York, Andrew Ansbro said.

FOX 5 NY reached out to the FDNY for commentary, and they told us to reach out to city hall.

"Ensuring public safety is a top priority for the Adams administration. We do not expect any negative impacts to the department's ability to respond to emergencies," the Mayor's office said in a statement.

Union representatives say firefighters often use their personal vehicles to transport around 85 pounds. The union added that the department may be forced to buy more vehicles to transport members, which could cost taxpayers millions of dollars.

Congestion PricingFDNY