Traffic travels north along 10th Avenue and West 57th Street in New York City, Nov. 19, 2021.
© Mark Vergari/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK
(New York, NY) – Congestion pricing — previously on pause — is reportedly coming back for Manhattan. That’s the word from New York Governor Kathy Hochul who originally put the tolling program on pause in late June.
Now the plan is back on the table, which was foreshadowed earlier this week — Hochul had said congestion pricing is “the law,” and she added the MTA needs funding. The MTA, which routinely argues it needs more money, plans to raise that revenue by tolling drivers for entering south of 60th Street. Originally, the plan was to bill those drivers on average $15 per day. There’s word the amount could be lowered to $9 per day.
Objections have been raised by commuters who already face high costs when getting into Manhattan. Furthermore, it could lead to even lower office vacancy rates in a time when the city is still trying to recover from COVID. And, the entire program may lead to higher prices for consumers — as trucks making deliveries face fees — which could cause inflation.
The MTA has said it’s put needed capital improvements on hold as it faces a budget deficit. In theory, Manhattan congestion pricing is supposed to pay for those projects.
