Hochul Blocks Surge-Pricing Hike On Congestion Toll: Report

NEW YORK CITY — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul pumped the brakes Thursday on a plan to increase the price of Manhattan's new congestion toll on days in 2025 when traffic is expected to surge, according to a New York Post report.

Earlier this week, the Post reported that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority planned to increase the $9 congestion toll — set to go into effect on Jan. 5 — by 25 percent on 20 days in 2025 known as “gridlock alerts," or when traffic is at its worst.

Those days included 11 in December, four in November, and five in September, when the United Nations General Assembly is in session, according to the Post.

The hike was listed in a footnote in the revised congestion pricing plan filed with the New York State Register, the Post reported.

On Thursday, Hochul said that “under no circumstances” would she allow the extra charge on top of the minimum $9 toll.

“Hardworking New Yorkers deserve a break, which is why I fought to cut the congestion pricing toll by 40 percent," Hochul said in a statement to the Post. "We have spoken to the MTA and made it clear: under no circumstances will I allow this discretionary 25% surcharge on gridlock days to be used."

In November, Hochul resurrected the congestion pricing plan after putting it on hold in June.

The initial plan called for most drivers entering Manhattan at 60th Street or below to face a base toll of $15 when congestion pricing commences, but it was tabled following backlash and litigation opposing the plan.

The federal government approved the new congestion toll of $9 at the end of last month. The MTA plans on increasing the toll charge to $12 in 2028 and $15 in 2031. The toll aims to fund public transit and make a dent in New York City's worst-in-the-world traffic, Patch previously reported.

Part of the revised congestion pricing plan also includes immediate service increases to several outer borough bus routes. In addition, drivers who earn less than $50,000 a year will get a 50 percent discount on every toll after the 10th toll each month.

There will also be discounts after 9 p.m.

Other projects that will be funded by the revised congestion pricing plan include signal system modernization, the Second Avenue subway phase 2 extension, a fleet of new electric buses and accessibility improvements at over 20 stations throughout the city, among other things.