A congestion pricing scanner is shown above the north-bound side of Broadway, between West 60th and 61st St. in Manhattan, Thursday, November 2, 2023
© Kevin R. Wexler / USA TODAY NETWORK
(New York, NY) – The MTA board has voted to approve the new version of congestion pricing, by a 12-to-1 margin. This after New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced her intention to “un-pause” the Manhattan tolling program, beginning January 5, 2025 — a Sunday.
Over the summer, Hochul announced she was putting the MTA’s tolling program on hold. It was supposed to take effect June 30. At the time, Hochul argued it was wrong to implement congestion pricing, because New Yorkers were feeling the effects of inflation. The governor also said the $15 toll amount (per day) was too high. The new plan lowers the toll to $9.
The MTA originally implemented the plan — it says — to pay for capital improvement projects. That’s perhaps especially true for the New York City subways — which are in need of major upgrades and modernization, such as the signal system. Estimates say congestion pricing will generate up to $1 billion dollars per year for the transit agency.
Despite the MTA’s vote, federal authorization is still required. Also, there are several lawsuits pending that aim to stop the plan. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has urged Governor Hochul to reconsider her decision. Garden State Congressman Josh Gottheimer — like Murphy, a Democrat — is also opposed to the plan. Staten Island Republican Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis has also been an outspoken opponent of congestion pricing. There are reports New York officials feel pressured to get the program started before President-elect Trump takes office — under fears he could look to cancel it entirely.
