Hochul spurs bipartisan outrage over massive toll reboot, as Dems worry Trump will block it
New York state leaders are once again considering implementing a congestion pricing program for Midtown and Lower Manhattan, despite initially facing backlash for the costly plan. The program, which would charge drivers $15 per entry-day, was put on hold by Gov. Kathy Hochul but is now back on the table as some fear President-elect Trump may block the initiative once he takes office.
A group of New York Republicans have written a letter to Trump, urging him to reverse what they see as a rushed process by the Biden administration to push through the congestion pricing plan. They argue that the plan was accelerated unfairly through the FHWA’s Value Pricing Pilot Program, and that an abbreviated environmental review allowed it to skip normal procedures.
Rep. Sam Graves, chair of the House Transportation Committee, criticized the timing of the congestion pricing proposal, calling it a “blatantly political move” to push it through before Trump’s inauguration. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, on the other hand, believes the plan must be implemented immediately to prevent Trump from blocking it.
Congestion pricing would involve tolls at gantries surrounding the city’s core, with drivers entering certain areas of Manhattan being charged. However, lawmakers, including Rep. Michael Lawler and others, argue that the plan unfairly burdens New York families and workers, lacks adequate transit options, and will negatively impact low-income neighborhoods.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy also opposes the plan, stating that it would impose a new financial burden on commuters entering Manhattan. He believes that New York did not adequately consult New Jersey in crafting the plan, which would have significant consequences for their residents.
MTA Chairman Janno Lieber defended the congestion pricing proposal, stating that it is necessary to address the city’s transit problems. He suggested that if first responders were stuck in gridlock, residents would demand a solution to the traffic congestion.
Gov. Hochul has expressed a willingness to lower the toll from $15 to around $9 to account for inflation, while Lieber is open to exploring alternative revenue options. The debate over congestion pricing continues, with concerns about its impact on commuters, the MTA’s financial situation, and the influence of the incoming Trump administration looming large.
