Gov. Kathy Hochul’s congestion pricing revival obtained the MTA’s inexperienced gentle Monday — clearing the best way for Manhattan drivers to be hit with $15 tolls by 2031.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board OK’d the governor’s phased-in congestion pricing plan in a 12-1 vote.
Congestion pricing’s return is “big for the MTA,” mentioned Janno Lieber, the company’s chair. He argued that motorists, transit riders and companies would profit from this system decreasing visitors in Manhattan.
“It’s a hopeful second for drivers in addition to for transit riders and for everyone as a result of life can and may get rather a lot higher if you need to drive to New York, for those who elect to drive to New York, for those who’re not spending as a lot time in congestion,” he mentioned. “If it can save you 10, 20 and even half-hour, your time is cash.”
The procedural vote went off with out a lot fanfare in contrast with the general public fury each in favor of and in opposition to the long-awaited plan to toll automobiles getting into Manhattan beneath sixtieth Avenue, which is now set to take impact Jan. 5.
Hochul final week introduced she’d elevate the “pause” on this system — enacted over the summer time simply days earlier than tolling was first slated to kick off — and carry it out with a $9 toll, as an alternative of the unique $15.
However largely hidden in Hochul’s gross sales pitch was the truth that the decrease toll would step by step improve to the $15 that had been authorised final yr by the MTA.
The phase-in supplied by Hochul — and ratified by board members Monday — calls to hike tolls to $12 in 2028 and the complete $15 in 2031.
Many opponents have forged congestion pricing as a tax on hard-working commuters and New Yorkers who drive.
Lieber mentioned 143,000 folks drive into the congestion toll zone day-after-day, in comparison with 6.5 million who take transit.
He argued the tolls will assist make the subways and commuter trains higher, and sure attract drivers who’ll take a second have a look at taking the rails.
“Don’t consider the hype when folks wish to symbolize that that is some type of dystopian hellscape,” he mentioned. “The New York mass transit system is a lot safer than many, many different locations within the states the place folks rail about congestion pricing and rail about New York. Check out the crime charges of their main cities.”
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