2/22/2024

Dear Members, 

We have sent a few reminders within the past month on submitting your public comments regarding the below two important topics. If you have not already, we urge you to make your voice heard and submit your comments before the due dates.

FMCSA Proposed New Rulemaking to Increase Flexibility for State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) & CDL Applicants

The FMCSA proposes to increase flexibility for State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs) and commercial driver’s license (CDL) applicants:

1. By expanding applicants’ ability to take a CDL skills test in a State other than their State of domicile;
2. Permitting a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holder who has passed the CDL skills test to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) on public roads without having a qualified CDL holder in the passenger seat; and
3. Eliminating the requirement that an applicant wait at least 14 days to take the CDL skills test following initial issuance of the CLP. 

The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is now posted and is available for public view. Comments from the public are due no later than April 2nd, 2024.

Submit Your Comments

If you agree that a commercial driver (Class A of Class B) should not have to go through the hassle and expense of having to retake the road test that they have already taken in order to drive a bus, please click this link. 

All you need to do is hit the comment button, identify yourself and make the comment. It should take less than 5 minutes. Your input is very important to make our struggle to hire drivers heard.

NYC Congestion Pricing Plan Public Comments

The next step in New York’s controversial congestion pricing plan began with the opening of the public comment period.

On December 27th, the Tri-Borough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (MTA Bridges and Tunnels) has begun accepting comments that will continue through March 11, 2024 in regard to the proposed toll rate schedule.

The proposed toll rate is based off of a detailed report produced by the Traffic Mobility Review Board on November 30, 2023. View the full report here: https://new.mta.info/document/127761.

Currently that report states the following as toll rates for buses:

Transit and commuter buses — whether they are owned by a public agency or a private company under contract with a governmental entity to provide commuter services should be exempted from the Central Business District (CBD) toll. Intercity and charter buses should pay a toll rate of $24, and tour buses a toll rate of $36.

Our industry firmly believes that buses are the key to alleviating congestion, and therefore, we advocate for the exemption of ALL buses from this congestion toll.

We encourage you to share your perspective on this matter. Members of the public will have an opportunity to weigh in on the issue in a number of ways, including:

Online: https://contact.mta.info/s/forms/CBDTP  

Email: cbdtp.feedback@mtabt.org  

Mail: CBD Tolling Program, 2 Broadway, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10004  

Phone: 646-252-7440  

Fax: Send to (212) 504-3148 with Attention to CBDTP Team. 

Additionally, the MTA plans to hold four hybrid virtual/in-person public hearings at 2 Broadway in New York at the William J. Ronan 20th Floor Board Room.

Anybody wishing to speak at the hearings is required to register in advance online here.

The hearings will be accessible online here.

Meetings are scheduled for:

• February 29 at 6:00 PM
• March 1 at 10:00 AM
• March 4 at 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM

Following this period, MTA Bridges and Tunnel will review all public comments and its board will then consider adoption of a ratemaking regulation that includes any updates that may follow the public comment period.

Congestion pricing toll collection could begin as early as the late spring 2024.

Tell MTA to exempt ALL BUSES and why!

Thank you in advance for your action.