NYC Congestion Pricing Plan Delayed

New York Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul has successfully convinced officials to postpone the initiation of tolls for drivers entering New York City’s central business district just weeks before its implementation.

WCBS’ Steve Scott reported on X on Wednesday that “Multiple reports suggest the MTA [Metropolitan Transportation Authority] is indefinitely halting the planned June 30th launch of congestion pricing in Manhattan. The decision reportedly comes directly from Governor Kathy Hochul.”

Hochul’s decision to delay the plan is based on concerns that it could negatively impact Democrats in competitive House races during the upcoming general election, as reported by Politico on Tuesday.

The congestion pricing plan, which is a first-in-the-nation initiative, was scheduled to commence on June 30. Drivers using E-Z Pass would have to pay up to $15 to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street, as reported by The New York Times on Tuesday.

The plan aims to decrease traffic congestion, enhance air quality, and generate revenue for the struggling public transit system, with an expected annual revenue of $1 billion for the MTA. Hochul is contemplating proposing a tax on New York City businesses to offset this expected revenue loss, according to the Times.

The approval of the proposal to delay congestion pricing by the New York State Legislature, which originally passed the plan years ago, remains uncertain.

Former President Donald Trump, the presumed GOP presidential candidate, has vowed to “terminate” the congestion pricing plan in his first week back in office if reelected in November, citing the location of his Trump Tower within the congestion pricing zone.

One source mentioned in Politico stated that Hochul is responding to concerns raised by aides of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., as the Democratic party seeks to regain control of the House. Republican victories in New York congressional races during the 2022 midterm elections contributed to the party’s control of the House.

Hochul expressed worries that the congestion plan could deter commuters from returning to Manhattan’s central business district, which has not fully recovered from the pandemic, as per the report in the Times.

The congestion plan was included in a negotiated state budget between former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, D-N.Y., and legislative leaders back in 2019.

According to an April Siena College poll, approximately 63% of New York voters opposed the plan, as reported by Politico.