MTA could raise NYC congestion pricing toll 25% on gridlock alert days, but Hochul says no
New York City's congestion pricing tolling plan is set to start in less than two weeks. But on Gridlock Alert Days, MTA says the price could go up even more.
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New York City's congestion pricing tolling plan is set to start in less than two weeks.
But the MTA says the price could go up even more on Gridlock Alert Days.
Drivers will be charged $9 if they are driving below 60th Street in Manhattan starting on Jan. 5.
The MTA says the agency, reserves “the right to charge a 25% higher central business district or CBD charge during Gridlock Alert Days." The MTA says to consider walking, biking or taking mass transit on those days.
The New York Department of Transportation determines which days are Gridlock Alerts. This year, there have been 20.
Some commuters and residents say another increase in the tolls could cause them to reconsider going to Manhattan.
"I like to catch a good Broadway show every now and again or hang out in Midtown," says Angela Watson, a Yonkers resident. "It definitely would make me want to stay local and kind of explore my own neighborhood."
Gov. Kathy Hocul has also expressed her opposition to the surcharge on gridlock days as well.
“Hardworking New Yorkers deserve a break, which is why I fought to cut the Congestion Pricing toll by 40%. This will reduce traffic in Manhattan and fund long-overdue investments in public transit, while keeping costs lower for New Yorkers who drive into the city. 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," she said in a statement.
The staff at Artuso Pastry Shop are concerned about their shipments to Manhattan. The pastry shop is located in the Bronx but has a shipment center in Mount Vernon.
"One of our platforms that delivers our cakes can only come in cars and they do deliver down to the city," says Natalie Corridori, manager of Artuso Pastry Shop. "We're going to lose a lot of business in that sense."
News 12 also reached out to the MTA for more information on what commuters and visitors can expect on Gridlock Alert Days. A spokesperson said they have no further comment at this time.
