Congestion pricing in New York City indefinitely postponed, official says

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — An official tells Eyewitness News the implementation of congestion pricing in New York City has been indefinitely postponed. It will not start on June 30 as originally planned.

There are two reasons, one economic and one political.

According to the official, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is convinced the timing is not right because Manhattan businesses have not fully recovered from the pandemic.

It is also apparently because Democrats are facing difficult House races in the New York City suburbs. Republicans have planned to use congestion pricing as a political wedge.

Congressman Mike Lawler, a Republican representing part of the Hudson Valley, wasted no time in weighing in on the governor’s decision.

The governor’s office declined to comment.

“I think it’s a great step in the right direction,” said Mayor Mark Sokolich, (D) Fort Lee. “We’re not in Fort Lee trying to get the MTA to not operate properly we’re just trying to make sure there’s fairness in the process.”

Sokolich said Fort Lee would have had to cope with a 25% traffic increase throughout their area which would have negatively impacted the air quality.

ALSO READ: NJ reaction to postponement of congestion pricing

On the flip side, Sam Schwartz, a transportation expert called the decision by the governor, disappointing.

“I’m very disappointed, I thought the governor had a lot of courage to proceed even though it was another governor that recommended it. I’m disappointed by her saying the timing isn’t now, the timing is now,” he said. “The reality is that the transit system will suffer.”

The MTA, which would potentially face a $1 billion budget deficit without implementation, declined to comment.

“I communicated with the governor for the last few days and I consider the governor a partner and I’m really pleased that the two of us have been able to align on so many issues,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said. “I’ve said this over and over again, you guys and ladies have asked me over and over again about congestion pricing and I say that we have to get it right. We have to make sure that it’s not a due burden on everyday New Yorkers. We have to make sure that it’s not going to impact our recovery. We got to the point of more jobs in this city than in the history of the city because of the support in the recovery effort. And I think if she’s looking at analyzing the recovery effort and looking at what other ways that we can do it, and do it correctly, I’m all for it. This is a major shift for our city and it has to be done correctly.”

There were several lawsuits against congestion pricing, and one official on Staten Island said they are waiting for a final decision by the state before deciding what to do with their lawsuit.

“It’s a little premature to make that decision because we don’t know what’s going to come out of the state, once the state makes its official position, then we’ll decide what to do with the litigation,” said Vito Fossella, Staten Island Borough President.

On Long Island, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said that the governor couldn’t deny that the plan was a bad idea for the whole metropolitan area coming out of the pandemic.

“I’m very grateful that the sole vote against this on the MTA was our representative,” Blakeman said. “I just hope that the governor isn’t contemplating a commuter tax on the suburbs.”

There remains a belief that congestion pricing is inevitable. The plan would charge a $15 toll for passenger cars driving south of 60th Street from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays. There are certain exceptions. Several lawsuits are challenging the plan.

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