MTA boss Janno Lieber passes the buck on congestion pricing exemptions for FDNY
Share and Follow

MTA executive Janno Lieber deflected responsibility for congestion pricing exceptions for the FDNY, instructing firefighters to address their concerns about the toll with the city instead.

During an appearance on WNYC’s “The Brian Lehrer Show,” the Metropolitan Transportation Authority chairman and CEO rebuffed alarms from firefighters about having to pay the tax while on duty.

“If the firefighters are being told to drive in instead of taking mass transit, the employer has to pay you for the use of that car,” Lieber said.

He advised New York’s Bravest to take the matter up with their “employer,” adding that the MTA “is not the right place to adjudicate these specifics of individual contractual arrangements.”

Fire unions spoke out against the contentious toll just as drivers began getting charged for entering Manhattan below 60st Street on Sunday.

Union officials warned the toll could dangerously delay FDNY response times with firefighters leaving their personal cars at home when reporting for duty to avoid paying the outrageous commuter tax.

Those vehicles are regularly used to shuttle firefighters from their detail to other firehouses to plug gaps in staffing.

“Who uses what car when, and what employers’ instigation, that’s not our job. They ought to be in a collective bargaining agreement, and I respect their concern,” Lieber said on WNYC.

Union officials slammed Lieber over what they called an “appalling” lack of understanding of the work of the FDNY.

“The fact that he, the MTA and the state don’t understand the work that we do for the system is appalling,” Andrew Ansbro, the president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, told The Post. 

“This exemption would allow firefighters to move across the congestion pricing zone in their personal vehicles for the betterment of the city and the MTA.”

Uniformed Firefighters Officers Association President Jim Brosi clapped back at Lieber over his failure to help the FDNY prepare for the hated plan.

“Despite having six years to help the FDNY prepare, we are pleased that Janno Lieber had some time between celebrations to research our collective bargaining agreement,” Brosi told The Post.

“Had he looked closer, however, he would have seen how much firehouse staffing is dependent on the use of personal vehicles,” Brosi added. “It is odd that the Chairman can have such absolute power over the streets of this great city, but then suddenly be so powerless when those decisions have negative consequences for public safety.”

The FDNY referred a request for comment to City Hall, which did not respond Friday.

— Additional reporting by Desheania Andrews

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Felon freed by Biden arrested after shooting, raising fears of more ‘second chances’ gone wrong

Biden’s Controversial Pardons Under Scrutiny: Recent Shooting Sparks Debate on Criminal Justice Reform

A Nebraska man, previously convicted of felony charges and released early through…
Truth about man who collapsed during White House Ozempic announcement

Revealed: What Really Happened When a Man Collapsed at the White House Ozempic Event

In what was meant to be a landmark occasion, leading pharmaceutical executives…
Trump pardons GOP operatives for trying to overturn 2020 election

Trump Grants Pardons to GOP Operatives Involved in 2020 Election Overturn Efforts

In a significant political move, former President Donald Trump has granted pardons…
Chicago shooting: 2 men shot, killed during jewelry store armed robbery on West 26th Street in Little Village, police say

Unlock Cash Rewards: Cook Co. Crime Stoppers Seek Tips in Fatal Little Village Jewelry Heist

In a tragic turn of events in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, Cook…
Senate votes to advance proposal to end 40-day government shutdown

Senate Moves Forward on Proposal to Conclude 40-Day Government Shutdown

On Sunday night, a coalition of weary Democratic senators joined forces with…
Duchess of Edinburgh's touching reason for wearing three poppies

Discover the Heartfelt Meaning Behind the Duchess of Edinburgh’s Three Poppies

The Duchess of Edinburgh made a poignant appearance at this morning’s Remembrance…
Transgender ex-lawmaker, first in state's history, pleads guilty to federal child sex abuse charges

Historic First: Transgender Former State Legislator Admits Guilt in Federal Child Sex Abuse Case

Stacie-Marie Laughton, once a New Hampshire legislator and recognized as the first…
Zohran Mamdani's message about rich a false narrative: Glenn Beck

Unmasking Wealth Myths: Zohran Mamdani Challenges Glenn Beck’s Narrative!

The co-founder of Blaze Media, Glenn Beck, has criticized Zohran Mamdani’s recent…