Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Year : 2, Issue: 19
Spectrum News NY1: Gov. Kathy Hochul is sticking to her congestion pricing guns, just one day after the new tolling program started charging cars and trucks a new fee to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street.
“I know the impact this has on people, I understand this,” Hochul said on Monday during a press conference in Midtown. “We have to make investments in our public transit system. Full stop. It takes a lot of money to do that.”
The program is estimated to raise $15 billion for the MTA’s planned subway track and signal construction projects — raised by charging drivers at least $9 to enter Manhattan at 60th Street or below on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“Walking up and down the train, everybody likes the idea!” she added of her morning commute on the Metro-North Railroad.
Asked when she’ll declare the program a success or failure, Hochul said “by 2026” — conveniently, the year Hochul is up for reelection.
But program critic, City Councilman Joe Borelli, says Hochul should’ve kept the cameras off.
Bronx Congressman Richie Torres argues Hochul’s insistence that affordability is her number one priority appears empty while she’s championing the new driving tax. Asked when she’ll declare the program a success or failure, Gov. Kathy Hochul said “by 2026” – conveniently, the year she is up for reelection/Photo courtesy of the governor’s office
