New York Governor Cathy Hochul released her plan to impose congestion pricing on driving to lower Manhattan (60th street and below). The new plan was approved on Monday by the MTA.
Earlier this year, the Governor blocked a congestion pricing plan. The renewed plan lowers the once-a-day price for passenger cars from $15 to $9. Small trucks, including vans with rooftops higher than the windshield, will have to pay $14.40 each time they enter the zone. This price is down from $24 for each entry. Credit for paying bridge tolls was reduced from $5 to $3.
Last week, NYSBA filed a request with the Governor’s office to exempt news vehicles with DMV “press plates.” The lower Manhattan central business district is the epicenter for local, national, and international news. Raising the cost of covering news though tolls is contrary to the public interest.
Many news vehicles, including SUVs, will be classified as a passenger vehicle and subject to a once-a-day $9 toll. However, some news “vans” may not qualify because they have a raised roofline. These vehicles would be subject to a toll of $14.50 every time they enter lower Manhattan.
The Governor wants the plan to be implemented this year, thereby setting the plan in place before the Trump administration takes office. President-elect Trump opposes the congestion pricing plan. Several members of Congress have expressed concerns over the plan. The plan is also the subject of litigation from New Jersey and other states. Critics note the reduced tolls make it likely that the plan will not reach its $15 billion dollar goal. Thus, despite the rush to approve the plan, there may be some additional roadblocks before the tolls commence in January.
NYSBA will continue to press the Governor’s office, the MTA, and other policy makers for an exemption.
You can see NYSBA’s letter to the Governor here.
You can see Governor Hochul’s proposal here.