NYC Meeting: TRSA Opposes Congestion Pricing and Delivery Restrictions

Posted April 20, 2018 at 11:03 am

Nearly 40 TRSA members recently gathered in New York City to gain insight into issues affecting the linen, uniform and facility services industry. Among the topics discussed were “congestion pricing,” which would increase fees for delivery into New York City, as well as delivery restrictions.

Evan Stavisky and Paul Thomas of the Parkside Group, TRSA’s legislative firm, informed the group that although “congestion pricing” was not included in the initial state budget, it will be reconsidered in June as an option to fund the collapsing subway system. The “congestion tax” would implement a $25-per-trip charge on delivery vehicles servicing customers below 60th Street in Manhattan, raising an estimated $400 million. Similar taxes of $2.50 to $3 per trip below 90th Street have recently been levied on Uber and Yellow Taxis, respectively.


The New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio, opposes the tax, and has suggested eliminating deliveries between 6-9 a.m. and 4-7 p.m. While this has not been implemented, the NYC Department of Transportation has started changing parking zones and signage in Midtown Manhattan limiting deliveries.

TRSA will host an Albany (NY) Legislative Day on May 21-22, 2018, to raise awareness of the negative impact that any congestion pricing or delivery restrictions would have on commerce into the city and employment. “It is important that state and city legislators hear directly from laundry operators,” said TRSA President & CEO Joseph Ricci. “Especially general managers and owner/operators.” Additional details regarding the Albany Legislative Day and invitations will be distributed in the next two weeks.

The Parkside Group also provided an update on The Clean Act, a permitting law implemented early last year for providers serving New York City, including licensing requirements, applications, inspections and license number labeling, as well as compliance with safety and wage requirements. Linen, uniform and facility services representatives indicated they were complying with the new licensing regime but that some competitors were not and that there has been no enforcement. A Task Force will convene during the next few weeks to provide recommendations pertaining to the licensing process with representatives from regional laundries, unions and TRSA.

The following companies were represented at the meeting:

  • Allen Boulevard Corp.
  • American Wear
  • Arrow Linen Supply Co. Inc.
  • Atlantic City Linen Supply LLC
  • Best Metropolitan Towel & Linen Supply
  • Churchill Linen (Elmsford)
  • CleanTex Services
  • Diamond Chemical Co. Inc.
  • Kemco Systems Co. LLC
  • Magnus Textile
  • Material Imports LLC
  • Meese – MODRoto
  • Nixon Uniform Service & Medical Wear
  • UniFirst
  • UWH Industries
  • White Plains Linen
  • Yankee Linen

TRSA is hosting a series of Regional Events throughout North America providing members an opportunity to discuss and address local, regional and national issues impacting their businesses, such as regulation, compliance, water and energy, as well as participate in facilitated discussions regarding operations, benchmarking and federal legislative and regulatory issues. The first of these Regional Events was held in Chicago on April 11.

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