By Jean Brannum | jbrannum@queensledger.com
Protestors against the Governors decision gathered outside her New York City office holding up signs calling for congestion pricing. Credit: Jean Brannum
In a shocking twist of events, Governor Kathy Hochul put an indefinite pause on congestion pricing and supporters of the plan are not taking the news quietly.
Rider’s Alliance, a group for congestion pricing, gathered outside the governor’s office to show their anger towards Hochul’s change of plans. Protesters waved signs calling on Hochul to stop waiting to implement the program.
“Governor Hochul is turning her back on the promise she made to riders and New Yorkers,” said Rider’s Alliance Executive Director Betsy Plum.
Protestors against the Governors decision gathered outside her New York City office holding up signs calling for congestion pricing. Credit: Jean Brannum
The Gov, who has pushed to implement a $15 toll for people commuting to the city business district, was supposed to be implemented on June 30. The toll was meant to persuade commuters to take public transportation to improve air quality and decrease gridlock in Manhattan. In addition, the money from toll payers would provide funding for improvements to the subway and commuter rail systems.
However, critics have said congestion pricing would be a burden to New Yorkers who do not live near public transportation and cause more pollution in the outer boroughs.
“Let’s be real: a $15 charge may not mean a lot to someone who has the means, but it can break the budget of a working- or middle-class household,” Hochul said in her announcement. “And given these financial pressures, I cannot add another burden to working- and middle-class New Yorkers – or create another obstacle to continued recovery.”
There were also counter-protesters at the event. Jack Nierenberg from Passengers United, a group that has strongly opposed congestion pricing, said that while he was shocked, he believes it is the right decision.
“I’m glad to see the governor is now finally taking the action that she should have taken a while ago,” Nierenberg said.
Plum mentioned that New York State is required to mitigate the potential air quality issues that would worsen in the South Bronx. An MTA environmental report showed that air quality in the area would worsen due to westbound traffic circumventing Manhattan through the Bronx.
Protestors against the Governors decision gathered outside her New York City office holding up signs calling for congestion pricing. Credit: Jean Brannum
Two men disrupted the conference to protest congestion pricing. Their yelling was promptly drowned out with chants from protesters. The police outside the building eventually escorted them away from the crowd. The counter-protesters continued to make noise to disrupt the rally.
It is not clear what Hochul’s next steps are, but in her speech, she said she was committed to further improvements to the subway and rail systems.
Greenpoint City Councilmember Lincoln Restler and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso joined the protesters. Restler voiced his concerns that Hochul would never approve congestion pricing.
“Governor Hochul has betrayed us and do not believe what she is saying that this is a delay. This is a clean and simple attempt to kill congestion pricing.”
Protestors against the Governors decision gathered outside her New York City office holding up signs calling for congestion pricing. Credit: Jean Brannum
In an interview at the rally with a Reddit user who goes by the name of Miser, Restler tried to persuade state politicians, and citizens to push Hochul to go through with congestion pricing.
“We cannot allow her to delay because it delay in all likelihood could mean the end of congestion pricing,” Restler said.
