Congested Thinking – Governor Hochul’s Revised Plan Forward

In a small and secure conference room this afternoon, at the Governor's Manhattan offices on East 42nd Street, Gov. Kathy Hochul told a hand full of party regulars, plus a few skeptical reporters, that she had "found a path to reduce congestion, fund the MTA and keep money in the pockets of our commuters".

 The retooled congestion pricing plan would charge most motorists $9 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street during peak hours, which is 40% less than her original plan of $15, but hardly without a sting to the affected motorists who on average will be shelling out $2,250 annually to drive into Manhattan. Not surprisingly, the plan's projected start date is January 5th - a full two weeks before President-elect Trump will be sworn into office. Hardly a fan of what he called a "regressive and massive tax - an inconvenience to workers, families and businesses throughout the New York metro area", the President-elect stopped short of issuing any threats or counter measures, perhaps a sop to the conversation he and Gov Hochul had earlier this week in an effort to "make nice" and "make New York Greater Again".

In her own defense, and without the charts, graphs and power point presentations readily available, Gov Hochul implored the President-elect "not to eviscerate the public transportation system" during his first days in office. She went on to say that she would "welcome the Federal government's help and aid" in providing the Big Apple a "world class transit system".  Gov Hochul reiterated that she believed the $9 toll "would be defensible in court" where proponents and opponents have been waging battle for the past six plus months, with the January 5th implementation date looming large and getting closer.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a new congestion pricing plan for Manhattan to start in January.
(Photo by James Keivom)