Gov. Hochul To Announce Revised Congestion Pricing Plan, $9 Base Toll

NEW YORK CITY — Gov. Kathy Hochul plans to announce a revised congestion pricing plan on Thursday, which would include a $9 base toll for passenger vehicles — a 40 percent reduction from the previously approved plan.

The toll could increase over the next two or three years, according to multiple media reports. It is not known at this time if there are plans to eventually increase the toll to the original $15 price.

The MTA board plans to approve the new toll price plan at its next meeting on Nov. 20 and Hochul is expected to officially launch the program on Dec. 29., according to a Gothamist report.

The program was initially scheduled to begin at the end of June 2024 and would toll drivers who enter a zone stretching from 60th Street to the southern tip of Manhattan. It aims to fund public transit and make a dent in New York City's worst-in-the-world traffic, among other things, Patch previously reported.

At the time, the decision to pause the program may have stemmed from pressure from Democratic candidates, who are expecting to be in tight races and view congestion pricing as a polarizing issue, according to multiple media reports.

The new plan comes after the results of the president election and after President-Elect Donald Trump said publicly he would axe the program when he takes office.

The revised toll still requires approval from the Federal Highway Administration.

There are still about five lawsuits in New York and New Jersey aimed to scuttle congestion pricing.

Earlier this year, a Siena College poll found that as many as 45 percent of respondents supported Hochul’s decision to pause congestion pricing, while 23 percent said they opposed her decision.

Elizabeth Adams, Interim Co-Executive Director at Transportation Alternatives, said they "applaud the announcement of congestion pricing being turned back on."

"We look forward to the details of Governor Hochul’s plan, and her plans to protect New York City’s public transit system from federal interference," she said in a statement.

“Make no mistake: this announcement is happening because a broad, diverse, and determined coalition of New Yorkers turned up, spoke out, and fought for congestion pricing."

Patch has reached out to Gov. Hochul's office for comment.