New York Governor Kathy Hochul is considering delaying the implementation of congestion pricing in Manhattan's central business district, which was set to start on June 30, 2024. The delay could deter commuters from returning to the central business district and impact Democrats in competitive House races during an election year.
According to three people familiar with her thinking, Hochul is responding to concerns raised by Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader who is trying to win back a Democratic majority this year. The move comes as several lawsuits challenging congestion pricing make their way through the courts.
Congestion pricing would charge many car drivers $15 for entering a designated zone of Manhattan south of 60th Street during the day. Trucks would pay more. The revenue generated, roughly $1 billion a year, would go toward a $15 billion capital plan to build and renovate public transportation infrastructure.
The controversial proposal has been in the works for five years after it was passed into law as part of a negotiated state budget between then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders in 2019. It remains unpopular statewide, with 63% of New York voters opposed to it according to an April Siena College poll.
The MTA is hosting six webinars from June 5 to 18 for people to learn about Congestion Relief Zone tolling. The sessions will explain how the program works, benefits, discounts and exemptions, and answer questions.
Legal opponents of congestion pricing may be required to post a bond worth hundreds of millions of dollars if they want a judge to prevent the tolls from taking effect on June 30. A judge could issue a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction against the tolls and have the final say on whether to grant or waive a bond.
For more information, visit the Congestion Relief Zone tolling website.
