The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that John R. Durso, President of the Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, has been appointed to the Traffic Mobility Review Board (TMRB). The TMRB is a six-member panel that will recommend to the board of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA), an affiliate agency of the MTA, a structure for the Central Business District Tolling Program, if the program is approved by the Federal Highway Administration. 

“John Durso shares the vision of a better, more sustainable New York and he understands the equity benefits of a reliable, modernized transit system,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “He is a recognized leader of inclusivity in his field, always seeking to improve the lives of the millions that live and work here. Durso’s perspective will bring enormous value to the Traffic Mobility Review Board.”

Durso has been President of the Long Island Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, since 2005. He is also President of Local 338 of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU)/United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) since 1999, a Vice President of the New York City Central Labor Council, and an International Vice President of the UFCW. In addition, Durso holds positions on the Town of Hempstead Labor Advisory Board, the Nassau County Living Wage Advisory Board, the Town of Oyster Bay Workforce Investment Boards, and the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council. 

The other members of the TMRB panel, as announced last summer, are: 

• Chair Carl Weisbrod, past Chair of the New York City Planning Commission and past Director of the New York City Department of City Planning 
• John H. Banks, President Emeritus of the Real Estate Board of New York
• John Samuelsen, International President of the Transport Workers Union (TWU) of America, AFL-CIO, and former President, TWU Local 100
• Elizabeth Velez, President of the Velez Organization, a housing developer
• Kathryn Wylde, President and CEO of the Partnership for New York City

The TMRB will take into consideration factors such as traffic patterns, traffic mitigation measures, operating costs, public impact, public safety, vehicle types, discounts, peak and off-peak rates, air quality and emissions trends when developing a tolling structure recommendation. Accompanying its recommendations, the TMRB will provide a report on the review and analysis behind its recommendations. Final toll structure would be determined by the TBTA Board (which is coterminous with the MTA Board) after receiving the TMRB’s recommendations. 

The recommendations must ensure collection of annual net revenues and fees necessary to fund at least $15 billion for the MTA’s 2020 to 2024 capital program. 

Consistent with New York State law, the TMRB is comprised of one appointee nominated by the Mayor of the City of New York (Samuelsen), one resident in the Metro-North Railroad region (Banks), and one resident in the Long Island Rail Road region (Durso). All members have experience in public finance, transportation, mass transit and/or management.   

Durso fills a seat that had previously been occupied by Scott Rechler, Chair and CEO of RXR, who has stepped down from the role due to the time requirements of his business and his role as a Board Member of the New York Federal Reserve.