TCI Regional Policy Design Stakeholder Submissions

The New York Public Transit Association (NYPTA), which represents more than 100 transit systems throughout New York State, supports the goals of the TCI effort. The development of a cap and invest program is both consistent with the environmental and energy objectives of public transportation and is a way to increase funding for public transportation to transition to low emission transit vehicles and to expand transit service.

NYPTA offers the following comments on the TCI draft MOU:
• NYPTA supports the goals and objectives of the TCI cap and invest program proposal.
• NYPTA supports the intent to invest program proceeds in low carbon and clean mobility options in urban, suburban and rural communities, and specifically in public transportation.
• Greater investment to modernize and enhance public transportation throughout New York State supports the goals of the TCI program, particularly greater investment to support the transition to cleaner public transportation infrastructure and to increase public transportation services.
• In developing the program, TCI should consider the impact on transit systems in small communities and rural areas, which have fewer resources and where the transition to clean fuel vehicles may take much longer. The increased cost of diesel fuel and gasoline to transit systems in these areas that will result from the cap and invest program will be burdensome and could negatively impact the continuation of these essential transit services to customers who need them most. An exemption (or credit) from any increase in fuel prices for public transportation services resulting from a carbon cap should be considered in designing the program in order to mitigate any negative financial impacts.
• NYPTA strongly supports returning the proceeds generated from the cap and invest program to the state where they are generated or earned.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the draft MOU.

The Sierra Club is sharing the attached 1,463 comments from our members and supporters in New York supporting finalizing the Draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI). Thank you for helping to design a regional policy to limit climate pollution from motor fuels and invest in a modern, clean, transportation future. The evidence is clear: the more we limit pollution from motor fuels, the more jobs are created, the more the economy grows, and the more lives we save. Please sign on to the agreement to implement a strong, equitable regional climate protection policy through TCI. Invest in the communities that have suffered the most from burning gasoline and have the least access to clean transportation options. Stop sending our hard-earned dollars out of the state to oil companies, and choose to create jobs, grow the economy, and save lives for families and businesses. Thank you.

It is not right to try to Push this Gas Tax without the Peoples Vote

This is a tremendous mistake that will not benefit Mainer's in any way. I personally drive over 400 miles per week if not more to work and school. The price of fuel is already unbearable, adding an additional tax will inhibit me from pursuing my career path, and providing for my family. I need a truck for what I do; building materials, groceries, tools, and more. I need to plow my driveway in the winter, have you ever seen a plow on a Prius? If you raise the taxes it will cost more to transport your beloved illegal aliens to your beloved sanctuary cities, then the local law enforcement, fire and EMS services will not have enough money budgeted to cover the increased number if calls. Great idea if you want to see people run for the hills like they are in New York under the Mook Governor Coumo... Massachusetts is not far behind, and here we go, Maine...we were on our way to better days and then they elected you...Janet Mills....do not move forward with this plan. It is a terrible idea, will only have a negative impact on Maine and Mainer's and will destroy what is left of a beautiful state to satisfy the needs of the liberal masses.

The added toll lanes to I-270 will cost Billions and years to complete. You can buy a whole lot of bus shelters and busses for that kind of money. We need to make it easier for people to get out of their cars, and sooner than later.

I am against Massachusetts entering into this agreement without a vote of the legislature. This is a gas tax, pure and simple, that they’ll be able to impose on drivers — particularly commuters— without never recording a vote. I suspect this is considered a “feature” by legislators from other states considering joining the TCI.

It is crucial to slow climate change NOW and the transportation sector is one of
the largest contributors. Please act NOW.

This TCI is nothing but a subversive attempt to impose a new version of the automatic gas tax that we, the voters, said HELL NO to in 2014. Not everyone in Massachusetts is asleep. And those of us who aren't are going to spread the word, as far and wide as we can, and expose you for the crooks you are. We will know who NOT to vote for in the future.