De Blasio Still A No On Congestion Pricing, Report Says

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio re-upped his opposition to implementing congestion pricing in Manhattan during a budget hearing in Albany this week, but added that he may come around on the concept if certain policies are included, according to reports.

Key among de Blasio's requirements for an acceptable congestion pricing plan are a "hardship exemption" that would allow people seeking medical treatment in Manhattan to bypass tolls and a way to funnel revenue to capital construction, the Wall Street Journal first reported.

"I have not yet seen a plan that I could support but I remain open to new versions," de Blasio said during the Monday hearing, as reported by the Journal.

New York City was recently named the fourth most-congested city in the country on the 2018 INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard. The study — analyzed traffic data from more than 200 cities across the globe — estimated that New Yorkers lose an average of 133 hours and $1,859 per driver to traffic congestion each year.

The public repudiation stands in contrast to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's recent call on the state legislature to pass a congestion pricing bill in order to raise funds for the MTA. Cuomo described a toll on any motorist entering Manhattan below 60th Street as the "only logical and realistic option" to fund the MTA's capital projects and stave off a planned fare hike.

"Let the Legislature cast their vote on the real choice - congestion pricing or 30% fare and toll increases. It's A or B because there is no C. If the public understands the critical choice their elected officials are making, congestion pricing will prevail," Cuomo said during a Feb. 7 announcement.

Cuomo estimated that congestion pricing could raise as much as $15 billion for the MTA's next capital plan, but neither his office nor state legislators have announced any formal plan. The governor also called for a "congestion pricing lockbox" that would guarantee funds raised by the policy would be dedicated for MTA capital projects.

Some of the Governor's other suggestions for the MTA included internal reorganization, an overhaul of the MTA board to give one official the ability to appoint a majority of voters and cutting down on fare evasion.

De Blasio's stance on congestion pricing is also at odds with some of the city's most powerful Democrats. City Council Speaker Corey Johnson said in September that the council may explore its "home-rule authority" to implement the policy and bypass the state legislature.

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