Hochul brings back congestion pricing, with $9 price tag | Long Island Business News

At a Thursday news conference, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul made official what was rumored all week – congestion pricing will move forward, albeit at a reduced rate from the original plan.

In June, Hochul announced an indefinite pause to the start of the controversial toll to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street – the Central Business District – just weeks before it was set to take effect.

Speculation intensified since the election about potential plans to resuscitate congestion pricing with reports surfacing this week that it was imminent. Hochul announced Thursday that beginning in January, congestion pricing will proceed, with a daytime charge of $9 for passenger vehicles.

The original plan called for a $15 toll.

She sold the announcement as a way to achieve MTA budgetary and capital plan goals while relieving congestion in Manhattan and saving drivers money from the original proposal.

“From day one, I have made affordability for New York families a top priority. I always have and I always will fight to put more money in the pockets of every day New Yorkers,” said Hochul. “That’s why back in June, I stood up on behalf of hardworking families and simply said – no. No to a new $15 congestion toll that at that particular time was just too much. Too many people were worried about high costs – groceries, rent child care. These are real challenges for our families.”

‘$15 was too much’

Hochul said she paused the process to find a different path forward. She noted that state law requires congestion pricing to simultaneously raise money for the MTA and drive down traffic congestion.

“These are important priorities. But I believe that no New Yorker should have to pay a penny more than absolutely necessary to achieve these goals,” she continued. “And $15 was too much. And I’m proud to announce we have found a path to fund the MTA, reduce congestion, and keep millions of dollars in the pockets of our commuters. Under this plan, the MTA will implement a congestion pricing plan with a reduced daytime toll of $9 – beginning in January.”

The plan is already drawing swift backlash here in the Garden State.

Gov. Phil Murphy released a statement saying he is firmly opposed to any attempt to force through a congestion pricing proposal in the final few months of the Biden administration.

“All of us need to listen to the message that voters across America sent last Tuesday, which is that the vast majority of Americans are experiencing severe economic strains and still feeling the effects of inflation,” said Murphy. “There could not be a worse time to impose a new $9 toll on individuals who are traveling into downtown Manhattan for work, school, or leisure.”