EMTs assigned to NYC’s congestion pricing zone urged by union to transfer out to avoid new $9 toll

The union representing city EMTs and paramedics urged its workers Friday to flee stations in Manhattan’s controversial congestion pricing zone to avoid getting hit by the $9 toll when driving to work.

Many of the first responders are paid just $18.94 an hour — the lowest of any frontline workers citywide — and can’t afford to pay $45 a week just to get to their jobs, said FDNY EMS Local 2507.

“New York City’s emergency medical first responders are now about to be pickpocketed by a state agency and its new MTA’s driving tax,” said Oren Barzilay, president of the union, which reps 4,100 workers.

“We are mandated by our employer, the city, where to work and we have zero option to work remote.”

To avoid getting fleeced by the fee, the union encouraged the approximately 270 EMS workers assigned to stations in Midtown and Lower Manhattan to transfer to ones in other parts of the city.

The congestion pricing toll — set to begin at midnight Sunday — forces drivers entering Manhattan on 60th Street or below to pay a peak fee of $9 from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.

There are no exceptions for city employees including teachers or firefighters and other first responders.

The policy is likely to make parts of Manhattan less safe as EMTs and paramedics avoid the area, Barzilay warned.

“Congestion pricing without exemptions for FDNY EMS is a public safety time bomb waiting to detonate,” said Barzilay. “Mark my words, it will likely have a large, negative impact on public safety.”

Business owners have also warned the unpopular fees — forced through by Gov. Kathy Hochul— will affect everyone because they’ll have to raise prices to stay open.

The cost of entering the congestion zone is up to $27 in some cases, when added to the fare for crossing by tunnel or some bridges, according to  a map outlined by The Post.