TO: Metropolitan Transit Authority

FROM: NYC musicians’ union (AFM Local 802)

DATE: January 8, 2024

RE: Congestion Pricing Plan

In August 2022, the NYC musicians’ union (AFM Local 802), representing over 6,000 musicians in New York City, Long Island and the surrounding areas, requested the establishment of a professional exemption from the proposed congestion pricing fees applicable to musicians who are required to travel by car to perform their work in venues below 60th Street.

The musicians of Local 802 provide live music throughout all 5 boroughs including our Broadway theaters, Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and countless other midtown locations. With the resurgence of tourism in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, visitors are once again entertained by the world-class live performances our city offers. However, with audiences still returning to pre-pandemic levels, most performing musicians still struggle to make ends meet.

Many of our members must transport large instruments such as the upright bass and other multiple and/or large instruments to work every day. Because these instruments cannot be brought onto public transportation due to their size, our members must rely on private vehicles, incurring parking and bridge/tunnel fees as well. Additionally, because many shows conclude at a late hour, public transit is often not a viable option. The imposition of another toll for musicians to simply transport their instruments to their place of work while working non-traditional hours will further reduce wages that are already unpredictable by nature.

Local 802 wishes to affirm its support of the MTA’s broader policy goals and its intention to limit traffic, protect the environment, and provide crucial financial resources to the public transit system upon which so many of our members rely. We look forward to working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that attention is given to the financial realities faced by the performers who continue to make New York City the top tourism and live entertainment destination in the world.