Recently, two local politicians took the opportunity to address the impact of Mayor Bloomberg’s PlaNYC congestion pricing plan on Bronx residents and suggest possible mitigation efforts.

Speaking at a public hearing at Hostos Community College, Council Member Oliver Koppell suggested changes such as a water taxi service between the west Bronx to midtown and southern Manhattan, better express bus service to and from Manhattan, and improvements to the 4, D, and 1 subway lines.

He also urged the committee to consider better ways to park in residential areas near train stations as well as exemptions in the plan for senior citizens and disabled individuals.

Congressman Eliot Engel addressed the congestion pricing plan in a statement he released this week. In the statement, Engel said the plan as it stands now "is not the answer" because it will only "move Manhattan’s problems to the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens."

Engel said there is not enough transportation already, and the influx of residents from places like Mt. Vernon and Yonkers to commute into Manhattan from public transportation stops in towns like Riverdale and Wakefield will only increase this problem. Engel said he feels this pricing plan will only result in "added tolls, added traffic, added air pollution, but less parking spaces" for Bronx residents and other surrounding boroughs.