Advocates urge Gov. Kathy Hochul to reinstate tolling program while opponents push for permanent termination.
Supporters of the congestion pricing tolling program in New York are taking legal action to revive the initiative after Gov. Kathy Hochul paused it indefinitely. The City Club of New York, Riders Alliance, and Sierra Club have filed lawsuits against the governor and state transportation officials, claiming that the decision to halt congestion pricing was unauthorized and hindered the state’s environmental objectives.
The congestion pricing program, intended to charge fees to most vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street, was set to launch on June 30. Passenger vehicles would have been subject to daily fees of up to $15, with some exceptions. The primary goals of congestion pricing were to alleviate severe traffic congestion in the city and improve air quality. The anticipated revenue of approximately $1 billion annually would have been utilized to secure $15 billion in funding for essential repairs to New York City’s transit system.
A court hearing is scheduled to take place on Friday in New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan, where oral arguments for the two lawsuits supporting congestion pricing will be presented before Justice Arthur F. Engoron. Prior to the hearing, supporters of congestion pricing plan to gather for a rally outside the courthouse.
Source: The NY Times
