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NEW YORK (WABC) — Drivers with disabilities who can’t take mass transit are eligible for an exemption on the congestion pricing tolls.
A Queens lady was proactive and utilized final Could when congestion pricing was first introduced.
However this week she was informed her utility was denied and in addition one way or the other misplaced.
“Both I’ve to pay for congestion pricing or I do not eat. That is my alternative,” she mentioned. “Sadly, the scenario that I am in life proper now, I do not need to be on this scenario. However there are different elements taking place the place it is simply it is an excessive amount of cash and I simply haven’t got it, and that is the one approach that I can get to work due to my incapacity.”
The only mother who’s disabled was delivered to tears. She was desperately making an attempt to get a solution on her exemption from congestion pricing tolls.
“Please remember about us we’re all the time the forgotten ones,” she mentioned.
The 31-year-old lady requested us to not reveal her id.
“I do not need sympathy. I do not need anybody’s pity,” she mentioned.
She suffers from a uncommon auto-immune illness, Dermatomyositis.
Generally known as DM, the degenerative situation has rendered her too weak to stroll at instances, which is why final Could, she utilized for an IDEP, or an Particular person Incapacity Exemption Plan via the MTA, permitting her to drive from Center Village to the East Aspect for her full-time job.
“We name this a useless zone in Queens as a result of there is no such thing as a subway close to,” she mentioned. “So if I needed to, the most suitable choice for me could be to stroll about 5 blocks to the place I can take the native bus. Take the native bus to an categorical bus that can depart me about three blocks away from my job, after which I might need to stroll these three blocks to work. An alternative choice is to stroll one block in the wrong way, take a neighborhood bus, then I might need to take two trains after I arrive in Manhattan. That there I might need to take one other native bus to get to work.”
“What occurred to this complete utility you submitted to the MTA final spring?” 7 On Your Aspect’s Nina Pineda requested.
“They took it after which mentioned, in about three weeks, it’s best to get a outcome,” she mentioned.
“And now that congestion pricing is a factor. If you went again, they informed you what occurred to the appliance?” Pineda requested.
“They mentioned we do not have the appliance. One individual mentioned all these functions from Could had been misplaced,” she mentioned.
“Misplaced?” Pineda requested.
She had come to a testing heart for an analysis on Could 23, the place she needed to stroll up the steps of a simulated bus and in addition sit down. She submitted blood work, a letter from her physician, and mentioned she was denied.
“How did that make you are feeling?” Pineda requested.
“I felt humiliated and pissed off,” she mentioned.
She was knowledgeable on the primary day of congestion pricing she was ineligible for a break from the brand new toll. Why? As a result of she had excellent E-ZPass violations. However, her account is clear and will have been given the inexperienced mild.
“Did you ever hear again from anybody from the MTA?” Pineda requested.
“No,” she mentioned.
“Anybody from E-ZPass? Pineda requested.
“No,” she mentioned.
“What had been you informed in regards to the standing of your utility?” Pineda requested.
“Nobody might give me any standing of my utility,” she mentioned. “If they’ve this program in place, then the folks that they are hiring have to have the data to provide the on a regular basis New Yorkers, to provide prospects. I should not be calling. I should not need to name 5 totally different numbers so many various instances simply to be informed we will not assist you to, or we do not know, or we will not entry your utility, or the web site’s not working. Nobody has a solution for me, and I am right here getting charged within the meantime.”
7 On Your Aspect contacted the MTA and by the very subsequent morning received this response: “The MTA reviewed the case and decided that the applicant is eligible for the exemption for which she utilized. Her E-ZPass account has been up to date so as to add the exemption.”
“Thanks 7 On Your Aspect,” she mentioned.
ALSO READ: 7 On Your Aspect helps viewers get again practically $3 million in 2024
Nina Pineda seems to be again on the financial savings from 7 On Your Aspect in 2024.
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