An advisory was sent to the city’s 270 EMTs and paramedics assigned to the three EMS stations in Midtown and Lower Manhattan to transfer out of the borough
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By Thomas Tracy | New York Daily News | January 6, 2025
NEW YORK — The union representing the city’s cash-strapped emergency medical technicians and paramedics is encouraging its members to transfer out of Manhattan to avoid paying congestion pricing fees, the Daily News has learned.
EMS Local 2507 President Oren Barzilay sent out his advisory to the 270 city EMTs and paramedics assigned to the three EMS stations in Midtown and Lower Manhattan this week.
Congestion tolling is scheduled to start on Jan. 5 in New York City, barring any last-minute legal challenges. Anyone coming into Manhattan below 60th St. will be charged an additional $9 on top of already existing bridge and tunnel tolls.
On Thursday the state of New Jersey filed for a last-minute injunction to stop the MTA toll.
Barzilay wants his members working in Midtown and lower Manhattan to transfer to other boroughs, where congestion pricing will not apply.
While emergency vehicles do not have to pay the fee, EMTs and paramedics driving into Manhattan in their personal cars will need to.
EMTs and paramedics are already being paid a much lower salary than first responders in other municipalities and shouldn’t be forced to pay this extra tax to get to work, Barzilay said.