Gov. Kathy Hochul put the brakes on the MTA’s plan to hike the worth of the brand new Manhattan congestion toll by 25% on “gridlock alert” days after fierce backlash for the plan.
Hochul mentioned Thursday that “not at all” would she permit the additional cost on high of the $9 minimal toll set to kick in Jan. 5 for drivers headed into Manhattan’s enterprise district.
“Hardworking New Yorkers deserve a break, which is why I fought to chop the congestion pricing toll by 40%,” Hochul mentioned, referencing that the toll was initially set to be $15 earlier than she tabled it – then resurrected it days after the November election.
“It will cut back visitors in Manhattan and fund long-overdue investments in public transit, whereas protecting prices decrease for New Yorkers who drive into the town,” she added in an announcement to The Publish. “We now have spoken to the MTA and made it clear: not at all will I permit this discretionary 25% surcharge on gridlock days for use.”
A supply near Hochul mentioned the governor mentioned the matter with MTA officers on Thursday, following The Publish report on the surcharge, which was quietly slipped right into a plan filed with the state.
The plan offers the MTA the authority to spice up the minimal toll to $11.25 on a number of the worst visitors days within the metropolis.
Town Division of Transportation recognized 20 days this 12 months as “gridlock alerts” — when visitors is at its worst — 11 in December, 4 in November and 5 in September, when the United Nations Normal Meeting is in session.
Supply hyperlink
