New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that the implementation of New York City’s controversial congestion pricing plan has been ‘indefinitely postponed.’

“After careful consideration, I have come to the difficult decision that implementing the planned congestion pricing system risks too many unintended consequences for New Yorkers at this time,” Hochul said.

WATCH:

The congestion pricing plan was scheduled to take effect June 30th.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) board approved the controversial plan in March, which would charge motorists $15 to drive through parts of Manhattan.

Nation’s First Congestion Pricing Plan Gains Approval, Tolls $15 And Up For Motorists

Critics have rightly called the plan a cash grab that will predominately impact middle and lower-income drivers.

The toll structure includes:

  • Cars will pay $15 to enter Manhattan at 61st Street and below during the day, and $3.75 at night
  • Motorcycles will pay $7.50 during the day and $1.75 at night
  • Trucks will pay between $24-36 during the day and $6-9 at night
  • Taxi drivers will see a $1.25 surcharge per ride, while Uber and Lyft drivers will pay $2.50

However, Democrats realized implementing the plan would be catastrophic during an election year.

Fox News reports:

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that she would stop the planned June 30 roll out of a congestion pricing program, reportedly due to concerns about backlash at the voting booth.

"My commitment to a greener, more sustainable future is unwavering," Hochul said at a press conference Wednesday, announcing that she directed the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to "indefinitely pause" the congestion pricing program. "I have been more committed to combatting climate change and protecting our environment than any governor in our history."

"We will continue to find strategies to address congestion, and we will continue to find solutions that benefit both our planet and our people," Hochul said. "This decision is about doing what’s right for the people who make our city thrive. It’s about standing up for the hardworking men and women who get up every single day, do their jobs and just want a fair shake. The little guy who feels like no one listens to them. I’m here to say, we are listening. This decision is about you. And to those cynics who question my motivation, I approach every decision through one lens: what is best for New Yorkers."

The stated goal of congestion pricing in the Big Apple is to get greener by improving air quality and reducing traffic, but Hochul is reportedly more concerned that what's billed as an environmental policy could hurt Democrats in this year's tight races.

"I want to thank @GovKathyHochul for pausing the implementation of congestion pricing in Manhattan’s Central Business District. Although we have had a difference of opinion on this issue, @GovKathyHochul and I are firmly committed to working together for all of our residents," New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said.

From ABC 7 NY:

New York would have become the first U.S. city to join a handful globally with similar congestion pricing schemes, including London, Stockholm, Milan and Singapore, which is credited with pioneering the first such program in 1975.

Most people driving passenger vehicles into Manhattan below 60th Street - roughly the area south of Central Park - would have to pay at least $15 under the system, with larger vehicles paying more. Those tolls would come on top of the already hefty tolls for using bridges and tunnels to enter Manhattan, like the $13.38 to $17.63 it costs to take a car through the Lincoln or Holland tunnels.

The MTA has already invested tens of millions of dollars installing cameras, sensors, license plate readers and other equipment on city roadways in anticipation of the plan's launch. The fee was expected to provide an annual cash infusion of around $1 billion for subway and bus systems that carry some 4 million riders daily.

The decision to delay also comes as Democrats are facing difficult House races in the New York City suburbs. Republicans have planned to use congestion pricing as a political wedge.

 

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