With less than a month to go before congestion pricing goes into effect, Governor Kathy Hochul has decided to postpone the tolling program indefinitely, sources familiar with the governor’s plans told NY1.
The historic tolling program was scheduled to go live on June 30, and would have charged drivers a fee to enter 60th Street and below in Manhattan.
News of the postponement was first reported in The New York Times and Politico.
The New York Times reported that Hochul has been “quietly maneuvering” to delay the project, not because of environmental concerns, but because he believes Manhattan’s central business district is still trying to recover from the shock of working from home after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hochul has not responded to request for comment.
According to Politico, Hochul is also responding to concerns raised by Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the House Minority Leader, who is trying to regain the House majority this year.
Democrats’ losses two years ago in New York helped tip the balance of power in the House toward Republicans.
Hochul did not conceive the congestion pricing program. It was signed into law by former Governor Andrew Cuomo and the legislature in 2019.
But as recently as a few months ago, Hochul has been working with the MTA as an active supporter of reducing Manhattan traffic by putting a toll.
“Is anyone sick of traffic jams in New York?” Hochul said at a rally on congestion pricing on Dec. 5. “Does anyone believe we deserve better transit, especially those who live and work here?” .
The rates and plans associated with congestion pricing have been well documented at this point: The daytime rate for cars is $15 with E-ZPass.
Trucks pay more. The MTA has spent millions installing toll technology and says it is prepared to flip the switch.
Speaking at an unrelated news conference on Staten Island, Mayor Eric Adams said he has spoken with the governor several times in recent days and noted that he would remain aligned with her position on congestion pricing even if she decides to delay the Toll.
“We have to do it right. We have to make sure it’s not an undue burden on New Yorkers. We have to make sure it’s not going to affect our recovery,” Adams said. “I think if she’s looking at what other ways we can do it and how we do it properly, I’m all for it. We have to do it right.”
Public transportation advocates oppose the delay.
“New York transit riders gave Governor Hochul her margin of victory in the 2022 election. Stopping congestion pricing before it even starts would be an outrageous betrayal of our trust,” said CEO Betsy Plum of Riders Alliance, in a statement.
“Congestion pricing is the only public policy that can make our subways more reliable and accessible, speed up slow bus service, and help clean the air as wildfire smoke thickens. Governor Hochul must launch it on June 30, as planned,” he said.
Elizabeth Adams, deputy executive director of public affairs at Transportation Alternatives, echoed these sentiments, calling the potential delay a “slap in the face to the millions of New Yorkers who rely on public transportation every day only to appease the loudest enemies.” of the program.
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