'People are going to be upset.' Commuters torn over new congestion price plan in parts of NYC

NY Gov. Hochul announced a 40% reduction in the original congestion pricing plan.

Justin DeVellis

Nov 14, 2024, 11:17 AM

Updated 9 days ago

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The cost to commute to certain parts of New York City could be going up.
Months after pausing congestion pricing, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul revealed a new plan.
Cars traveling into Manhattan below 60th Street, will have to pay a $9 toll beginning this January, a 40% reduction from the original plan of $15 per car.
“This lower toll will save daily commuters nearly $1,500 annually," Gov. Hochul says. "We’re still getting the $15 billion to fund the MTA, and drivers are paying $6 less."
While officials claim the updated plan will reduce congestion, some local commuters aren't enthused.
“This is a slap in the face," commuter Khalefah Whitlock says.
“It’s going to hurt the everyday working person financially," West Haven's Shavonne Niang says. "We’re already going through it with this economy."
Other commuters like Westport's North Woods says the funds raised through the proposed toll will help improve crumbling infrastructure.
“People are going to be upset because they don’t want the government to tax their decision to drive," Woods says. "When you have the biggest Metropolitan area in this country, with that is going to come some issues and maybe some extenuating policy."
The MTA is set to vote on the plan next week, and it still must be vetted at the federal level.