The initial Queens outcry to the mayor's announcement 11 days ago came from Borough President Helen Marshall and the Queens Chamber of Commerce, supported by Congressmember Anthony Weiner, State Senators Frank Padavan and Serphin Maltese, both Republicans and John Sabini, a Democrat; Assemblymember Catherine Nolan and City Councilmembers David Weprin and James Gennaro, all Democrats.
Last Sunday, the Daily News published an analysis of the plan, which showed Queens would be the hardest hit borough, Councilmembers John Liu (Flushing), Leroy Comrie (St. Albans) and Joseph Addabbo Jr. (Ozone Park), all Democrats, also called on the mayor to provide fast and affordable public transit to all city residents before his plan goes into effect.
Under the plan, cars would pay an $8 fee and trucks $21 to enter Manhattan south of 86th Street between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. The measure is intended to drastically reduce pollution.
Liu, chair of the council Transportation Committee, said, "People drive to work in Manhattan primarily because they lack real transit options. To impose these fees on commuters without giving them feasible alternatives would be unfair."
He and members of his committee called for expanded bus service, increased access to commuter rail lines and high speed ferry service. These alternatives are to be provided at no more than a $4 fare each way.
The News analysis found that six community board areas in Queens were among the top 10 in the city from which the most Manhattan-bound motorists travel each day.
Board 7 in Northeast Queens topped the list with 8,700 vehicles going into Manhattan, Board 13 in Southeast Queens had 6,800 and Board 5 (Ridgewood, Maspeth Glendale, Middle Village and South Elmhurst) had 5,800.
Weiner, who's expected to run for mayor in 2009, bashed Bloomberg for his statement equating the congestion fee with the $12 one pays to see a movie.
The mayor's plan needs the state legislature's approval to go into effect. Opposition from Padavan and Maltese, both leaders in the Republican-controlled senate, does not bode well for the mayor's plan.
