2024 Election Guide
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Toll Reduction to $9 for Cars Will Save Drivers Up To $1,500 Annually
Commuters Will See New and Improved Subway Service, Second Avenue Subway Extension, Investments in LIRR and Metro North, and Elevator Service for Seniors and People With Disabilities
Outer Borough Residents Will Benefit From Proposed Expansion of Bus Service and Plans To Build Interborough Express — Eliminating 30 Minutes Of Commuting Time Between Brooklyn and Queens
Governor Directs MTA To Make Responsible, Targeted Investments and Find $100 Million in Annual Savings; Commits to Funding 2025-2029 Capital Plan
Governor's Comprehensive Approach Wins Support From Broad Coalition of Environmental Advocates and Business Groups
Governor Kathy Hochul on Nov 14th, announced a plan to begin implementing congestion pricing in New York City by early January. In keeping with her promise to lower the cost of tolls from $15, the Governor’s plan features a 40 percent reduction in all tolls for vehicles entering the City’s Central Business District (CBD), saving commuters up to $1,500 per year. That plan also includes new tools to reduce congestion and air pollution in communities citywide – all of which will ensure that the plan achieves the goals of congestion pricing, including $15 billion in mass transit funding to support the MTA’s current Capital Program. Additionally, Governor Hochul committed to funding the proposed 2025-2029 MTA Capital Plan that was approved by the MTA Board in September – the largest capital plan for transit in New York State history.
“As I said from the start, a $15 toll was just too high in this economic climate. That’s why our plan cuts the daytime toll to $9 for cars,” Governor Hochul said. “By getting congestion pricing underway and fully supporting the MTA capital plan, we’ll unclog our streets, reduce pollution and deliver better public transit for millions of New Yorkers.”
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “New Yorkers deserve cleaner air, safer streets and ambulances that can get to them without gridlock, and the Governor is stepping up for them and for riders who need trains and buses to get them where they have to go — just like she did with the Budget in 2023. Now you’re seeing it again, a huge milestone for 6.5 million commuters. We want to bring more frequent and reliable service — to all our customers — just like we have on the 7 and L lines where upgrades are already complete.”
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “This first-in-the-nation program being launched by Governor Hochul will help us achieve our goal of a less congested City of New York, with cleaner air and safer streets. It will also provide the critically important resources needed to create a more efficient and accessible public transportation system that will ease commutes and improve the quality of transportation for everyone in the Metropolitan Region.”
New York City Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi said, “On Nov 14th, we move forward with a plan that will reduce traffic in the Central Business District and provide long-term investment in the bedrock of our city’s economy, our public transportation network, while also giving everyone time to get used to this new reality. Deep thanks to Governor Hochul, FHWA, the MTA, NYCDOT, NYSDOT and the thousands of hard-working civil servants who did the painstaking analysis that helped us arrive at this day.”
Governor Hochul’s new congestion pricing plan has already won support from a broad coalition of stakeholders including the Regional Plan Association (RPA), League of Conservation Voters (LCV), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Partnership for New York City and Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), among others.
The adjusted phase in feature will be taken up by the MTA Board at its next meeting on November 18. Under this plan, congestion pricing will be ready for implementation at midnight on Sunday, January 5.
CONGESTION PRICING PLAN
Toll Structure and Delivering $15 Billion Over Time for Current MTA Capital Program
Under the plan announced by Governor Hochul on Nov 14th, the toll structure for entering New York City’s CBD (Manhattan below 60th Street) would initially be as follows, starting at midnight on January 5. This structure represents a 40 percent reduction in all tolls:
For commuters who drive into the CBD five days per week, this 40 percent reduction in the toll will save them approximately $1,500 per year.
Additionally, some eligible drivers will receive additional discounts, credits and exemptions, such as a low-income volume discount or a qualified disability exemption.
While the toll structure under this plan is lower than the tolls initially proposed, it will still enable the MTA to leverage $15 billion in bonds for the MTA’s current Capital Program over time – the same goal for the congestion pricing program. This includes supporting current Capital Program initiatives including:
Additionally, the administration expects to achieve congestion reduction and air quality benefits set forth in the environmental review for the congestion pricing program, including a 5 percent reduction in vehicle miles traveled and a 10 percent reduction in the number of vehicles entering Manhattan’s CBD.
Pursuant to Governor Hochul’s plan, MTA will not raise the initial tolls beyond the following percentages of the approved structure:
The phase-in feature over time will help drivers adapt more easily to the program and give the MTA and other stakeholders the ability to monitor data regarding implementation and effects.
Improving Air Quality in Environmental Justice Communities
Governor Hochul’s congestion pricing plan commits to funding the low-income discount and every place-based and regional mitigation as already committed to, including:
New Proposals to Further Reduce Traffic and Pollution
The Governor is also proposing a package of new measures that will help reduce traffic and air pollution throughout New York City and beyond. These proposals will be included in her Executive Budget proposal in January and will include:
Expanding Bus Service Across New York City
Governor Hochul believes it is necessary to expand MTA bus service in New York City to increase and improve alternatives to driving – particularly for outer borough communities without convenient subway access. To actualize that goal, the Governor is proposing that the MTA increase frequency, make running time adjustments and deliver other enhancements on at least 23 bus routes citywide – including at least 15 local routes and eight express routes. Six of those express routes have been previously announced: BM2, BM5, SIM1C, SIM4C, SIM23 and SIM24. The other selected routes will be determined by the MTA based on factors including ridership, crowding, equity priority areas and the presence of bus priority lanes.
“By getting congestion pricing underway and fully supporting the MTA capital plan, we’ll unclog our streets, reduce pollution and deliver better public transit for millions of New Yorkers.” -- Governor Kathy Hochul
Funding the Proposed 2025-2029 MTA Capital Plan
In September, the MTA Board approved a proposed 2025-2029 Capital Plan and sent it to the Capital Program Review Board for further approval as required under statute. The proposed plan would spend a total of $68.4 billion, including $47.8 billion for NYC Transit, Staten Island Railway and MTA Bus Company, $6 billion each for Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road, $5.3 billion for major projects and expansion, and $3 billion for MTA Bridges and Tunnels. This is the largest MTA capital plan proposed in New York’s history.
The Governor highlighted that potential contributions from federal, state, City and MTA sources are expected to be sufficient to fund approximately half of the plan.
Governor Hochul also highlighted her full support for the MTA 2025-2029 Capital Plan and her intention to work during budget negotiations next year with federal, State legislative and City partners to close the remaining gap.
Additionally, the Governor stated her commitment to ensuring fiscal responsibility and greater efficiency at the MTA, including directing the MTA to find $100 million in annual savings building on recent cost saving initiatives.
Representative Jerry Nadler said, “For years I’ve said that congestion pricing is the best — and only — solution to getting our transit system back on track. With Nov 14th’s announcement, the MTA’s 2025-2029 capital plan is secured, allowing the MTA to advance work on the 2nd Avenue Subway extension, Penn Access, ADA accessibility upgrades, and more. We will end the congested streets that put public safety and emergency response at risk while meeting our climate goals to fight the climate crisis. Our city cannot afford to delay any further. With the necessary approvals nearly complete, the law is clear: Congestion pricing can and must move forward. I applaud Governor Hochul for moving forward on this once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform public transit in NYC and end decades of underinvestment in the MTA.”
Partnership for New York City President & CEO Kathryn Wylde said, “Excess congestion costs our metropolitan region more than $20 billion a year as movement of goods and people is slowed by traffic. The Governor’s decision to allow congestion pricing to proceed, even with a reduced toll, will benefit business and consumers across the region and is a critical component for financing a better, safer and more reliable transit system.”
Natural Resources Defense Council NYC Environment Director Eric A. Goldstein said, “Governor Hochul's announcement to give the green light to New York City's congestion pricing program is a welcome step forward that is more urgent now than ever. This strategy will slash traffic congestion in the nation’s largest central business district; cut global warming emissions and other air pollutants; and help rebuild the region’s subway, bus and commuter rail network. The Governor’s announcement also assures that much-needed pollution-reduction funding will be flowing into environmental justice projects in the South Bronx.”