Five months after suspending the vehicle-tolling initiative aimed at funding transit upgrades, Gov. Kathy Hochul put congestion pricing back on track Thursday — and squarely in the sights of President-elect Donald Trump.
Congestion Pricing Back on Track
At a Midtown news conference as packed as a rush-hour train, Hochul announced that motorists driving south of 60th Street in Manhattan will begin paying a once-daily $9 toll on January 5.
Tolls and Traffic
The tolls would kick in just over two weeks before the White House return of Trump, who has vowed to “TERMINATE Congestion Pricing in my FIRST WEEK back in office.”
A Pause is a Pause
Hochul denied that her decision to revive the plan now was driven by the results of the presidential election. “A pause is a pause is a pause,” Hochul said in response to a question from THE CITY about the five-month delay. “People thought it was a permanent death — I said all along it was not permanent death.”
The Plan
Hochul had vowed since August to come up with an end-of-year alternative to the $15 tolling plan, which was designed to cut congestion and fund billions of dollars in upgrades to the MTA’s sprawling transportation network.
The Impact
The pause had forced the MTA to recalibrate its more than $50 billion 2020-2024 Capital Program. It put on hold plans that include installing elevators at 23 subway and Staten Island Railway stations, buying 250-plus electric buses and bus depot charging equipment, and initiatives to detect trespassing on train tracks.
Environmental Justice
Hochul said that those projects are now a go — while conceding they may take a little longer to complete. “Over $100 million dollars will be spent funding reducing polluting trucks that travel our city streets, especially in The Bronx,” said Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi. “And it also buys that borough additional green space and an asthma center.”
Conclusion
Hochul’s decision to revive congestion pricing has put the plan back on track, but it remains to be seen how the new tolls will impact traffic and the MTA’s funding. The governor has pledged to work with the federal government to support the plan, but it remains unclear whether Trump will follow through on his vow to terminate the plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did Gov. Hochul suspend congestion pricing in the first place?
A: Hochul suspended congestion pricing in June due to concerns about the plan’s impact on traffic and the MTA’s funding.
Q: What is the new toll amount for congestion pricing?
A: The new toll amount is $9 per day for motorists driving south of 60th Street in Manhattan.
Q: What is the impact of congestion pricing on traffic?
A: The plan is expected to reduce traffic by 13%, according to the MTA.
Q: How will the revenue from congestion pricing be used?
A: The revenue will be used to fund upgrades to the MTA’s transportation network, including the installation of elevators, the purchase of electric buses, and initiatives to detect trespassing on train tracks.
Q: What is the impact of congestion pricing on environmental justice communities?
A: The plan will provide funding for initiatives to reduce pollution in environmental justice communities, including the reduction of polluting trucks in The Bronx.
