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New York Gov. Hochul Delays Controversial NYC Congestion Pricing Plan ‘Indefinitely’
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Pedestrians cross a street past traffic in the Chinatown neighborhood in New York City, USA, on Saturday, June 17, 2023. New York City’s congestion pricing plan has been postponed “indefinitely” by New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
CNN –
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that she is indefinitely delaying implementation of the congestion pricing in New York City’s Manhattan borough just weeks before the plan took effect, dealing a major blow to transportation advocates who spent decades pushing for the deal and a victory for several opponents of the plan who say the toll is a regressive tax on passengers.
“After careful consideration, I have come to the difficult decision that implementing the planned congestion system risks many unintended consequences for New Yorkers at this time,” Hochul said during a video meeting from his Manhattan office.
A source familiar with the governor’s plan said Hochul pushed for the delay due to concerns about affordability and the potential impact on the city’s post-pandemic economic recovery.
Congestion pricing in New York would have been the first of its kind in the United States. Similar programs have been implemented in London and Stockholm. The New York City version was years in the making and was scheduled to begin on June 30. As part of the plan, drivers would have paid $15 to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street, with commercial vehicles and trucks paying higher tolls.
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which approved the plan in March and would be responsible for implementation, declined to comment.
John Samuelsen, international president of the Transport Workers Union, which represents many of the city’s public transportation workers, accused Hochul of political negligence, telling CNN that Hochul bowed to pressure.
“This would be a disaster for Hochul on the ballot, and the plan is affecting Democratic efforts to retake the House,” Samuelsen told CNN.
The plan was intended to help increase revenue for critical transportation upgrades and maintenance. Over the years, it would have helped improve the city’s aging subway system and improve other public transportation options in the city and surrounding communities.
According to a second source familiar with the Governor’s plan, Hochul believes the timing of implementation is not ideal and believes its implementation would prevent commuters from returning to Manhattan’s central business district.
Congestion pricing has been strongly opposed by some members of the state legislature and New York’s congressional delegation, including some who represent districts outside the five boroughs and fear that the toll will result in political backlash from their constituents in a crucial election year. which was part of the governor’s calculation when opting for the postponement, the sources said.
Members of the state legislature are expected to be briefed throughout the day, according to two sources.
Councilman Joe Borelli, a Republican who represents parts of Staten Island where the plan is deeply unpopular, said the governor’s decision was blatantly political.
“The political calculation has always been the same – it would pay off poorly for the Democrats, this has always been an extremely unpopular proposal that has only been supported by a very vocal minority in the city, mainly the anti-car bike brothers in the city,” Borelli told CNN.
“Democrats are in a national crisis and now Hochul is reeling from a statewide poison pill that affects places in the heart of where Democrats need to take back home – Long Island and the Hudson Valley, where it is extremely unpopular,” he said.
The reaction was swift on Wednesday, including from some members of New York’s congressional delegation. Rep. Ritchie Torres, who represents parts of the Bronx, told CNN he was caught off guard by the decision.
Representative Jerry Nadler, a Democrat who represents crucial districts in parts of Brooklyn where the plan has support, criticized Hochul’s decision.
“As a long-time supporter of congestion pricing and Congressional representative of a significant portion of the central business district (CBD), I am disappointed by reports that Governor Hochul will not implement congestion pricing on June 30 as previously planned ,” Nadler said in a statement.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who represents a congressional district that covers much of southern Brooklyn, sought to take a middle path.
“For years, leader Hakeem Jeffries has maintained neutrality when it comes to the congestion pricing policy debate. Nothing has changed in that regard,” spokesman Andy Eichar said in a statement.
“As the immediate implementation of congestion pricing is being reconsidered, Leader Jeffries supports a temporary pause of limited duration to better understand the financial impact on working class New Yorkers who have faced a challenging inflationary environment as a result of the pandemic . We will continue to find ways to reduce costs for everyday Americans and strengthen mass transit in New York State,” Eichar added.
Transportation Alternatives, one of the main advocacy groups supporting the plan, criticized the delay.
“Delaying congestion pricing is a slap in the face to the millions of New Yorkers who rely on public transportation every day just to appease the program’s loudest enemies. Congestion pricing is a $15 billion lifeline for the MTA – critical funding that will be lost if the program is halted,” the group said in a statement. “Next time your train is late, your bus is stuck in traffic, your subway station is still without an elevator, you know who’s to blame: Governor Kathy Hochul.”