Gov. Hochul Reveals Revised NYC Congestion Plan

NEW YORK CITY — Gov. Kathy Hochul made her first remarks on Thursday since the announcement of a new revised congestion pricing plan.

"I'm proud to announce we have found a path to fund the MTA, reduce congestion and keep millions of dollars in the pockets of our commuters, Hochul said during a press conference.

The new congestion toll — of $9— will start in January, the governor confirmed. She has claimed that the toll will be enough to raise $15 billion for the MTA.

Part of the revised congestion pricing plan includes immediate service increases to a number of outer borough bus routes.

"Today I'm directing the MTA to make major services enhancement to at least 23 bus routes in the outer boroughs," Hochul said. "... This would mean running buses more frequently along those routes."

In addition, drivers who earn less than $50,000 a year will get a 50 percent discount on every toll after the 10th toll each month.

There will also be discounts after 9 p.m.

Hochul during the press conference said she endorses the MTA's upcoming capital plan but stopped short of saying congestion pricing would fund the plan.

"Some skeptics predicted we'd never find a path that would lower tolls while addressing congestion and the important funding of public transit — but that's exactly what we did," Hochul added.

Other projects that will be funded by the revised congestion pricing plan include signal system modernization, the Second Avenue subway phase 2 extension, a fleet of new electric buses and accessibility improvements at over 20 stations throughout the city, among other things.

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said Hochul "stepped up for transit yet again".

Following the announcement Thursday, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy released a statement saying he firmly opposes "any attempt to force through a congestion pricing proposal in the final months of the Biden Administration."

"My administration will continue the fight to block this plan in court, he said.

"New Jersey has never been meaningfully consulted on the design of this plan, either in its initial iteration or the version that was announced today — this has always been a way to take money from the pockets of New Jersey residents."

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.

This is a developing story. This post may be updated.