MTA to review capital program following congestion pricing pause

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- MTA officials held a press conference on Monday to address the next steps after Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the congestion pricing plan will be paused indefinitely.

The start of congestion pricing in Manhattan, which was set to go into effect on June 30. Toll revenue generated from congestion pricing was expected to fund $15 billion in capital improvements for the MTA.

Under the congestion pricing plan, car drivers traveling south of 60th Street would have to pay a $15 toll during peak hours. Truck drivers would be charged anywhere from $24 to $36, depending on their size.

Janno Lieber, chair and CEO of the MTA, addressed Hochul's decision and the importance of the future of the MTA.

"Our job at the MTA is not to be a political analyst. The governor plays on the statewide and national field and sometimes that means we don't look at things the exact way. For New York, mass transit is like air and water - we need it to survive. New York City only works because we can move millions of people around quickly and without the use of automobiles. We are the densest place in North America and that allows the New York region to be an economic powerhouse. We make up 10% of the national GDP."

Lieber laid out the next steps the MTA can take while congestion pricing is on pause. "We need to keep capital investment going to make sure the system is reliable and convenient for everybody. We have to do an intensive review about the best way to reprioritize and shrink the MTA capital program. We cannot simply award contracts without dedicated funding in place."

The MTA will hold a board meeting on June 26, during which a substantive report on progress will be delivered. "We have to prioritize state of good repair that assures the safety of our transit system. We must make sure we squeeze out as much station accessibility work as possible not withstanding the shrinkage of our program," said Lieber.

Lieber stated that the congestion pricing program cannot start without a sign off from the New York State Department of Transportation. While it is unknown whether congestion pricing will resume in the future, Lieber says the agency will be ready.

"We are going to make sure that we are going to keep moving forward on the details of the congestion pricing program so we are ready if, and when we get the green light. We at the MTA are not giving up on congestion pricing, not at all.