New York City’s congestion pricing plan, a topic of lengthy debate, has now overcome its final federal obstacle and is scheduled to launch on January 5, barring any successful court interventions. The Federal Highway Administration has granted approval, positioning New York as the first city in the United States to adopt such a system.
The program mandates that drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street pay a toll of $9, which will increase to $12 in 2028 and $15 by 2031. The initiative is expected to bring in $15 billion for the MTA, with the funds earmarked for enhancing public transit and improving accessibility.
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Leiber described the goals of the plan, stating it is intended to provide “better transit for more people, safer streets, cleaner air for all, along with reduced congestion.”
Opponents argue that the plan essentially functions as an additional tax, forcing drivers to shoulder the burden of the MTA’s financial mismanagement.
Currently, nine lawsuits have been filed against the plan, including one by the New York State United Teachers Union. A judge is anticipated to issue a ruling on that case by December 20. Meanwhile, the town of Hempstead has also announced plans to file its own lawsuit, alleging procedural flaws in the plan’s implementation.
Hempstead Town Supervisor Donald Clavin Jr. voiced strong criticism of the tolls and recent comments made by Governor Kathy Hochul.
“The concept that the governor is doing you a favor by lowering the price of congestion pricing, and you should thank her, is not only astonishing; it’s tone-deaf,” said Clavin.
To help residents understand the upcoming changes, the MTA will hold seven informational webinars during the first three weeks of December. These sessions will outline the tolling system’s mechanics and provide an opportunity for public feedback.
{Matzav.com}