Post by cisco2 on Jul 25, 2013 10:57:51 GMT -5
New York Container Terminal, Port Authority ink toll deal for truckers who do business on Staten Island
nyct.jpg
on July 25, 2013
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- It's a done deal.
The New York Container Terminal and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Wednesday formally announced they inked a "bridge toll credit program" for truckers that will be implemented next month, along with a multi-year lease agreement through 2029.
In addition, Port Authority executive director Pat Foye told the Advance his agency will make $15 million in roadway improvements to the site, to be completed by 2015.
The toll deal would slash the current $12 per-axle toll in half, to $6 per-axle, with a Consumer Price Index adjustment for inflation. But the $6 per-axle toll would be capped once NYCT reaches 350,000 vessel moves -- any instance of cargo being lifted on or off a ship -- in any given year. After that threshold is reached, the toll would increase incrementally.
While NYCT has the capacity to operate at 675,000 cargo lifts annually, it is only operating at 25 percent capacity, in part because of the current toll, Stephen Edwards, CEO of Global Container Terminals Inc., the Canada-based owner of NYCT, told the Advance.
Under the bridge toll credit program, truck companies would be reimbursed via their E-ZPass accounts, GCT said in statement. All trucks serving the terminal for container pick-up or delivery would be eligible.
The $6 per-axle toll is set to be implemented beginning August, said GCT spokeswoman Lori Janson.
"NYCT has installed E-ZPass readers at the truck gates, which will record the truck moves and allow the credit payments," Ms. Janson told the Advance. "The terminal will do a trail program with a few truck companies to ensure system compliance, and it will be fully implemented by the end of August."
Edward hailed the agreement, which he first discussed with the Advance Tuesday, as "good news," saying it "will allow New York Container Terminal to compete for new business."
Foye told the Advance the deal is "a literal lifeline for the Container Terminal."
"Today's lease extension builds on a long-term commitment by the Port Authority to Howland Hook and Staten Island," said Foye. "Over the past 13 years, the agency has invested more than $375 million to enhance the facility infrastructure, including its on-dock ExpressRail facility, and ensure the continued vitality of New York Container Terminal and retention and creation of jobs in Staten Island."
While NYCT president Jim Devine declined to comment on the deal to the Advance, in the GCT statement he said he was "pleased," adding, "With the toll program soon to be in place, NYCT will be in a much better position to compete for business within the harbor."
Reaction from Staten Island's elected officials has been mixed.
Rep. Michael Grimm, Borough President James Molinaro and Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis slammed the deal Tuesday as inadequate.
Molinaro said it would limit future growth at NYCT and Ms. Malliotakis (R-East Shore/Brooklyn) said the economic impact of the tolls had already done "irreversible damage" to NYCT.
Grimm (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) charged the Port Authority had used "gangster tactics" to push the deal through and accused Foye of being a "puppet."
Foye declined to comment on Grimm's remarks.
But state Sen. Andrew Lanza and Assemblyman Michael Cusick had more positive reactions Wednesday.
"Jim Devine and the Container Terminal know whether this is a good deal, more than any elected official," said Lanza (R-Staten Island).
"This was negotiated with Howland Hook's parent company," said Cusick (D-Mid-Island). "This is a step forward."
Along those lines, backers of the deal pointed to the Empire State Development Corporation's announcement last week that it would provide $15 million to NYCT through 2018.
Meanwhile, Grimm said he will participate in a congressional field hearing Friday in Manhattan on freight transportation in urban areas and intends to raise questions about the impact of Port Authority tolls. Both Foye and Edwards are slated to testify.
nyct.jpg
on July 25, 2013
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- It's a done deal.
The New York Container Terminal and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Wednesday formally announced they inked a "bridge toll credit program" for truckers that will be implemented next month, along with a multi-year lease agreement through 2029.
In addition, Port Authority executive director Pat Foye told the Advance his agency will make $15 million in roadway improvements to the site, to be completed by 2015.
The toll deal would slash the current $12 per-axle toll in half, to $6 per-axle, with a Consumer Price Index adjustment for inflation. But the $6 per-axle toll would be capped once NYCT reaches 350,000 vessel moves -- any instance of cargo being lifted on or off a ship -- in any given year. After that threshold is reached, the toll would increase incrementally.
While NYCT has the capacity to operate at 675,000 cargo lifts annually, it is only operating at 25 percent capacity, in part because of the current toll, Stephen Edwards, CEO of Global Container Terminals Inc., the Canada-based owner of NYCT, told the Advance.
Under the bridge toll credit program, truck companies would be reimbursed via their E-ZPass accounts, GCT said in statement. All trucks serving the terminal for container pick-up or delivery would be eligible.
The $6 per-axle toll is set to be implemented beginning August, said GCT spokeswoman Lori Janson.
"NYCT has installed E-ZPass readers at the truck gates, which will record the truck moves and allow the credit payments," Ms. Janson told the Advance. "The terminal will do a trail program with a few truck companies to ensure system compliance, and it will be fully implemented by the end of August."
Edward hailed the agreement, which he first discussed with the Advance Tuesday, as "good news," saying it "will allow New York Container Terminal to compete for new business."
Foye told the Advance the deal is "a literal lifeline for the Container Terminal."
"Today's lease extension builds on a long-term commitment by the Port Authority to Howland Hook and Staten Island," said Foye. "Over the past 13 years, the agency has invested more than $375 million to enhance the facility infrastructure, including its on-dock ExpressRail facility, and ensure the continued vitality of New York Container Terminal and retention and creation of jobs in Staten Island."
While NYCT president Jim Devine declined to comment on the deal to the Advance, in the GCT statement he said he was "pleased," adding, "With the toll program soon to be in place, NYCT will be in a much better position to compete for business within the harbor."
Reaction from Staten Island's elected officials has been mixed.
Rep. Michael Grimm, Borough President James Molinaro and Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis slammed the deal Tuesday as inadequate.
Molinaro said it would limit future growth at NYCT and Ms. Malliotakis (R-East Shore/Brooklyn) said the economic impact of the tolls had already done "irreversible damage" to NYCT.
Grimm (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) charged the Port Authority had used "gangster tactics" to push the deal through and accused Foye of being a "puppet."
Foye declined to comment on Grimm's remarks.
But state Sen. Andrew Lanza and Assemblyman Michael Cusick had more positive reactions Wednesday.
"Jim Devine and the Container Terminal know whether this is a good deal, more than any elected official," said Lanza (R-Staten Island).
"This was negotiated with Howland Hook's parent company," said Cusick (D-Mid-Island). "This is a step forward."
Along those lines, backers of the deal pointed to the Empire State Development Corporation's announcement last week that it would provide $15 million to NYCT through 2018.
Meanwhile, Grimm said he will participate in a congressional field hearing Friday in Manhattan on freight transportation in urban areas and intends to raise questions about the impact of Port Authority tolls. Both Foye and Edwards are slated to testify.
