MTA, local and federal officials sign final document to implement congestion pricing in NYC
NEW YORK (WABC) -- The MTA, state and local transportation officials and the Federal Highway Administration have just signed the final document needed to legally begin congestion pricing on Jan. 5.
The document, called the Value Pricing Pilot Program, was the final hurdle before implementation of congestion pricing could begin.
However, there are still nine pending lawsuits against the program. There is also word that President-elect Donald Trump could try to halt the program as well.
Gov. Kathy Hochul's revised plan calls for a $9 fee on most vehicles, which would help fund the city's cash-strapped public transit system but at a lower price tag for drivers.
The fee would be imposed on most vehicles driving into Manhattan neighborhoods south of 60th Street and collected via license plate readers. It would come on top of the often-hefty tolls drivers pay to enter the island borough via some bridges and tunnels.
Last spring, Hochul said she was worried that imposing the previously planned $15 tolls could hinder New York City's continuing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Congestion pricing is aimed at reducing traffic and pollution while encouraging use of public transit, but many people still aren't on board.
The Town of Hempstead is one of the legal challenges that the MTA is facing.
"This really is tax grab," said Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin. "The procedures that the governor was supposed to follow, the procedures the MTA was supposed to follow, were circumvented. It was rushed in an attempt to basically jam this thing down in a time period before January 1st."
Meanwhile, a hearing for the federal lawsuits challenging the tolling plan is now set for Dec. 20.
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber expressed confidence in the face of the pending litigation, which includes lawsuits from supporters of congestion pricing. They opposed the governor's pause on the plan and say that violated the law.
A toll on cars in the Central Business District of Manhattan is undoubtedly divisive, but one that many argue is necessary.
"You show me a New Yorker who states I want to pay a toll or pay a tax, no one is going to raise their hand, but the reality is that tolls and taxes are how we make sure that we run a city of this magnitude," said Mayor Eric ADams.
Congestion pricing has long existed in other cities around the globe, including London, Stockholm, Milan and Singapore, but not in the U.S.
"Congestion pricing will reduce traffic, improve our air, and raise critical funding for our subways and buses," said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. "This nation-leading program will help us build a healthier, safer city - while making it easier than ever for New Yorkers to access Manhattan without a car."
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander issued the following statement celebrating the legal settlement:
"Today we are two big steps closer to modernized subway signals, new station elevators, expanded subways, faster bus service, less traffic, and cleaner air. Props to our strong coalition of lawyers, experts, plaintiffs, and transit advocates who brought these lawsuits to ensure that congestion pricing would go into effect as required by law - and succeeded in doing exactly that. The legal settlement solidifies Governor Hochul's commitment to un-pause congestion pricing, and the execution of the VPPP provides the federal, state, and local approvals needed to get it up and running before Donald Trump takes office."
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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