The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is reported to be getting ready to indefinitely delay the start of congestion pricing, which involves a new $15 toll on private cars traveling below 60th Street in Manhattan and higher tolls for trucks. The MTA had not responded to inquiries from the Business Journal and other news media as of this morning, yet numerous leaks from sources have been circulating. Gov. Hochul’s office also had not immediately responded to inquiries.
Congestion pricing has been due to start on June 30. The E-ZPass and license plate readers that would be used to identify vehicles and provide data to collect the tolls already have been installed in Manhattan.
Politico and The New York Times were among the first to report that Gov. Hochul was considering ordering a delay in implementation of the new tolls. It was speculated that Hochul was becoming increasingly concerned that putting the tolls into effect before the November elections could cost the Democratic Party some House seats as well as result in Democratic losses in other elections.
Hochul had been an early advocate for congestion pricing, which was designed to raise $1 billion a year for the MTA. Reports said she has become concerned in recent days that the tolls could have a negative effect on the New York City economy in addition to possibly enraging voters before the elections.
Politico reported that a source said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries pressed Hochul to delay the new tolls because they might interfere with his efforts to win Democratic control of the House. Republicans in the House from Upstate New York have made it a point to run against congestion pricing.
The New York Times reported that two people familiar with what’s happening said Hochul has been quietly pushing back on congestion pricing for some time. They reportedly said she has been considering a new tax on New York City businesses to make up some of the money that the MTA would lose as a result of not moving ahead with the new tolls.
It is the most unfair tax this state put on the working people. Maybe the MTA should cuts its high salaries, bonus and benefits. These climate politicians people worry about the air but have not problem polluting it with skyscraper after skyscraper, tax free developments adding to an absurd dense population with no trees. hypocrites