Congestion pricing in New York City is good for our region's communities of color

Congestion pricing is set to revolutionize public transit for millions of riders. It is going to improve air quality. And, of course, it will improve congestion. But congestion pricing will also help small businesses like mine grow and hire, and that’s not getting enough attention.

As the President of Zion Contracting, a minority-owned business, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of our partnership with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority since 2009. While at first, we started working on small projects, we have grown as a result of our ongoing collaboration, far surpassing my expectations.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my journey as a business owner has been witnessing the impact of our work on the lives of my employees, who hail from across the tri-state area. Many have been able to achieve milestones that were once distant dreams, such as purchasing homes and sending their children to college to secure a brighter future for the next generation. This is not confined to Zion Contracting, it is the path that many minority owned businesses have been able to follow.

Our projects, from subway station renovations to infrastructure enhancements in train yards, have not only facilitated the smooth operation of the MTA’s system but have also acted as catalysts for economic growth in the communities we touch. Congestion pricing has the potential to promise a new era of progress for our transit system, and for the minority and women-owned businesses — MWBEs — who are contracted to execute much of the work.

The program demonstrates a commitment to building a more equitable and resilient future for all commuters. The tolls collected under the program will allow the MTA to bond $15 billion to pay for capital investments. It is worth noting that a Reinvent Albany report shows that MTA paid New Jersey companies $3.3 billion for goods and services for capital construction projects and other needs between 2014 and 2022. Through investing in vital infrastructure upgrades, we are not only creating jobs and stimulating economic growth but are also laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and prosperous future for all commuters.

Last month, the MTA Board took what we all hoped would be the final step in approving the program — a journey that began in 2019 when the state legislature first passed the law. But now our progress is threatened by misguided lawsuits filed by the state of New Jersey and others challenging congestion pricing. Now is the time for New Jersey to end its lawsuit against this program. The implications of these lawsuits are serious. The livelihoods of my employees, their families, and the communities that rely on them are being threatened.

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Commuters are ready for better transit. Businesses like my own are ready to build the infrastructure our region relies on. Instead of delivering the $15 billion in upgrades that our transportation system desperately needs, we are forced to sit on the sidelines while lawyers fight over details that have been resolved for years.

As a proud small business owner, I applaud the MTA board’s vote to move forward with this historic plan, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s unwavering support and the Legislature’s commitment to public transit, cleaner air and less traffic. It's time to unlock the full potential of our region's transit system and economy while prioritizing the needs of our communities. Our economic prosperity and the well-being of our communities depend on it.

Hely Duarte is president of Zion Contracting, based in Lynbrook, New York.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NYC Congestion pricing benefits communities of color