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[[File:Second Avenue in New York by David Shankbone.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.1|alt=vehicles stopped at a red traffic signal on Second Avenue in Manhattan|Traffic waits at a red signal on [[Second Avenue (Manhattan)|Second Avenue]] in [[Manhattan]] (2007)]]
In [[New York City]], a planned [[congestion pricing]]
Since the early 20th century, there have been several proposals for traffic congestion fees or [[Road space rationing|limits for vehicles]] traveling into or within the Manhattan central business district. A recurring proposal was adding tolls to all crossings of the [[East River]], which separates New York City's Manhattan borough from the city's boroughs of [[Brooklyn]] and [[Queens]]. In the 1970s, after New York City was deemed to be in violation of the [[Clean Air Act (United States)|Clean Air Act]], Mayor [[John Lindsay]] proposed limiting cars in [[Lower Manhattan]] and tolling all crossings of the East River, but ultimately withdrew the proposal. Lindsay's successor [[Abraham Beame]] subsequently opposed the tolling scheme. Beame's successor [[Ed Koch]] attempted to restore limits on vehicles entering Manhattan, but the federal government preempted his plan. New York City was judged to be compliant with the Clean Air Act in 1981, and through the 1980s and 1990s, other proposals to limit congestion in Manhattan's business district stagnated.
A congestion pricing
== Early plans ==
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Several New York state lawmakers also proposed a bill in April 2024 to repeal the congestion toll,<ref name="Pringle 2024 m044">{{cite web |last=Pringle |first=Scott |date=April 15, 2024 |title=Effort to repeal congestion pricing at state level |url=https://www.wbgo.org/news/2024-04-15/effort-to-repeal-congestion-pricing-at-state-level |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415210655/https://www.wbgo.org/news/2024-04-15/effort-to-repeal-congestion-pricing-at-state-level |archive-date=April 15, 2024 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=WBGO |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |last1=Siff |first1=Andrew |last2=Millman |first2=Jennifer |date=April 15, 2024 |title=NYC lawmakers make last-ditch effort to keep congestion pricing from happening |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/traffic/transit-traffic/ny-lawmakers-last-ditch-effort-stop-congestion-pricing-plan/5323535/?amp=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416034317/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/traffic/transit-traffic/ny-lawmakers-last-ditch-effort-stop-congestion-pricing-plan/5323535/?amp=1 |archive-date=April 16, 2024 |access-date=April 16, 2024 |website=NBC New York}}</ref> and congressmembers [[Nicole Malliotakis]] and [[Josh Gottheimer]] introduced a similar bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.<ref name="Matteo 2024 j742">{{cite web |last=Matteo |first=Mike |date=April 24, 2024 |title=Rep. Nicole Malliotakis introduces federal bill taking aim at NYC congestion pricing |url=https://www.silive.com/news/2024/04/rep-nicole-malliotakis-introduces-federal-bill-taking-aim-at-nyc-congestion-pricing.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424213641/https://www.silive.com/news/2024/04/rep-nicole-malliotakis-introduces-federal-bill-taking-aim-at-nyc-congestion-pricing.html |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |access-date=April 25, 2024 |website=silive |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=April 24, 2024 |title=NYC congestion pricing: New bipartisan legislation from Malliotakis, Gottheimer aims to kill MTA plan |url=https://abc7ny.com/nyc-congestion-pricing-new-bipartisan-legislation-from-malliotakis-gottheimer-aims-to-kill-mta-plan/14726992/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424221540/https://abc7ny.com/nyc-congestion-pricing-new-bipartisan-legislation-from-malliotakis-gottheimer-aims-to-kill-mta-plan/14726992/ |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |access-date=April 25, 2024 |website=ABC7 New York}}</ref> By then, all toll gantries had been installed. To reduce opposition to the plan, the MTA announced that New Jersey would receive some of the congestion toll revenue.<ref name="Siff Millman 2024 y367">{{cite web | last1=Siff | first1=Andrew | last2=Millman | first2=Jennifer | title=NJ will get a share of congestion pricing money, MTA chair announces | website=NBC New York | date=April 17, 2024 | url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/traffic/transit-traffic/mta-congestion-pricing-nyc-nj-money-tolls-hoboken-jersey-city/5329601/ | access-date=April 18, 2024 | postscript=none | archive-date=April 17, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417234833/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/traffic/transit-traffic/mta-congestion-pricing-nyc-nj-money-tolls-hoboken-jersey-city/5329601/ | url-status=live }}; {{cite web | last=Kaske | first=Michelle | title=NYC Congestion Pricing Adds Money to Offset NJ Harm, MTA Says | website=Bloomberg.com | date=April 17, 2024 | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-17/nyc-congestion-pricing-to-give-new-jersey-funding-mta-says | access-date=April 18, 2024 | archive-date=April 30, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430001107/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-17/nyc-congestion-pricing-to-give-new-jersey-funding-mta-says | url-status=live }}</ref> The NYCDOT also provided funding to encourage commercial vehicles in the congestion zone to make deliveries during off-peak hours,<ref name="Brachfeld 2024 l796">{{cite web |last=Brachfeld |first=Ben |date=April 24, 2024 |title=Congestion Pricing: NYC Offers Incentives for Off-Hour Deliveries Ahead of Toll Rollout |url=https://www.amny.com/transit/congestion-pricing-nyc-off-hour-deliveries-incentive/ |access-date=April 25, 2024 |website=amNewYork |archive-date=April 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240424225442/https://www.amny.com/transit/congestion-pricing-nyc-off-hour-deliveries-incentive/ |url-status=live }}</ref> while the MTA announced that it would reduce fares for some commuter rail trips<ref name="CBS New York 2024 c370">{{cite web | title=Some Metro-North & LIRR riders could get a discount when NYC congestion pricing starts. Here's who. | website=CBS New York | last1=Anderson | first1=Renee | last2=Westbrook | first2=Elijah | date=April 29, 2024 | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nyc-congestion-pricing-lirr-metro-north-discounts/ | access-date=April 30, 2024|postscript=none}}; {{cite web | last=Simko-Bednarski | first=Evan | title=LIRR and Metro North set to approve 10% monthly discount ticket | website=New York Daily News | date=April 29, 2024 | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/04/29/lirr-and-metro-north-set-to-approve-10-monthly-discount-ticket/ | access-date=April 30, 2024}}</ref> and increase service on some express bus routes.<ref name="Brachfeld 2024 u453">{{cite web | last=Brachfeld | first=Ben | title=MTA looks to beef up express bus service ahead of congestion pricing | website=amNewYork | date=April 29, 2024 | url=https://www.amny.com/transit/mta-express-bus-service-congestion-pricing/ | access-date=April 30, 2024 | postscript=none | archive-date=April 29, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240429200608/https://www.amny.com/transit/mta-express-bus-service-congestion-pricing/ | url-status=live }}; {{cite web | last=Geffner | first=Amanda | title=MTA announces discounted fares, expanded bus routes | publisher=FOX 5 New York | date=April 30, 2024 | url=https://www.fox5ny.com/news/mta-announces-discounted-fares-expanded-bus-routes | access-date=April 30, 2024 | archive-date=April 30, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430182223/https://www.fox5ny.com/news/mta-announces-discounted-fares-expanded-bus-routes | url-status=live }}</ref> Officials in other cities such as [[Boston]], [[Chicago]], [[Washington, D.C.|Washington D.C.]], and [[San Francisco]] also contemplated congestion tolls in conjunction with New York City's planned congestion charge.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Ley|first1=Ana|last2=Hu|first2=Winnie|date=2024-06-16|title=Congestion Pricing Delay in New York Ripples Across the Country|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/16/nyregion/congestion-pricing-delay-effects.html|access-date=2024-06-23|work=The New York Times|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
== Postponement ==
=== Proposed postponement ===▼
On June 5, Governor Hochul, in a major reversal,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Elstein |first=Aaron |date=June 9, 2024 |title=Kathy Hochul falls out of love with congestion pricing |url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-policy/what-kathy-hochul-said-support-congestion-pricing |access-date=June 9, 2024 |work=Crain's New York Business}}</ref> announced that the implementation of congestion pricing on June 30 would be indefinitely paused. She cited concerns that implementing the program would hurt the city's economic recovery. Hochul said that the State had set aside funds to address the gap in revenue from the program in preparation for the possibility that the program would be delayed due to lawsuits.<ref name="June5ABC">{{Cite web |last=Thorne |first=Kristin |date=June 5, 2024 |title=What happens to the congestion pricing lawsuits? |url=https://abc7ny.com/post/nyc-congestion-pricing-lawsuits/14915400/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=ABC7 New York}}</ref> Hochul also proposed increasing a [[payroll tax]] on New York City businesses to fund the MTA.<ref name="TimesJune5">{{Cite news |last1=Rubinstein |first1=Dana |last2=Ashford |first2=Grace |date=June 5, 2024 |title=Hochul Pushes for Congestion Pricing Delay in Last-Minute Reversal |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/04/nyregion/congestion-pricing-hochul-delayed.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726131356/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/05/nyregion/congestion-pricing-pause-hochul.html |archive-date=2024-07-26 |access-date=June 9, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The MTA had already spent $555.8 million on congestion pricing equipment<ref>{{cite web |last=Simko-Bednarski |first=Evan |date=June 5, 2024 |title=No One Knows Fate of Pricey Cameras After Congestion Pricing Put on Ice in NYC |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/06/05/congestion-pricing-may-be-gone-but-multimillion-dollar-cameras-remain-in-nyc/ |access-date=June 7, 2024 |website=New York Daily News}}</ref> and earmarked $15 billion of congestion-toll revenue for transit improvements across the five [[boroughs of New York City]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ley |first1=Ana |last2=Hu |first2=Winnie |last3=Chen |first3=Stefanos |date=June 6, 2024 |title=Congestion Pricing Delay Leaves the M.T.A.'s Budget in Limbo |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/06/nyregion/congestion-pricing-mta-budget-nyc.html |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |postscript=none}}; {{Cite web |last=Brachfeld |first=Ben |date=June 6, 2024 |title=Congestion pricing: $15 billion in transit improvements in jeopardy after Hochul halts Manhattan toll plan |url=https://www.amny.com/transit/congestin-pricing-transit-improvements-in-jeopardy/ |access-date=June 7, 2024 |website=amNewYork |postscript=none}}; {{Cite web |last=Gaudino |first=Linda |date=2024-05-09 |title=NYC reveals new bike, bus projects to come from congestion pricing funds |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nyc-congestion-pricing-bike-bus-projects-toll/5395984/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607173826/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nyc-congestion-pricing-bike-bus-projects-toll/5395984/ |archive-date=2024-06-07 |access-date=2024-08-05 |website=NBC New York |language=en-US}}</ref> With the Governor's announcement, attorneys for the MTA submitted court notifications in lawsuits against congestion pricing that, with the pause, they no longer expected congestion pricing to start by June 30.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Spivack |first=Caroline |date=June 5, 2024 |title=MTA mum on congestion pricing delay bombshell |url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/transportation/mta-mum-congestion-pricing-delay |access-date=June 9, 2024 |work=Crain's New York Business}}</ref>
The previous evening, ''Politico'' and ''The New York Times'' had reported that Hochul was considering delaying congestion pricing. Their reporting indicated that Hochul's decision was driven not by economic concerns, but out of concern that congestion pricing could hurt Democrats in competitive races for the [[2024 United States House of Representatives elections in New York|House of Representatives in the New York]] suburbs and thus their efforts to take control of the House in November elections.<ref name="TimesJune5" /><ref name="DailyNewsJune5">{{Cite news |last1=Sommerfeldt |first1=Chris |last2=Simko-Bednarski |first2=Evan |last3=Gartland |first3=Michael |date=June 5, 2024 |title=Hochul halts NYC congestion pricing in dramatic about-face |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/06/05/hochul-delay-nyc-congestion-pricing-mta/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |work=New York Daily News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Goldenberg |first1=Sally |last2=Coltin |first2=Jeff |last3=Reisman |first3=Nick |date=June 4, 2024 |title=Hochul considering congestion pricing delay amid concerns from Democratic leaders |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/06/04/hochul-congestion-pricing-delay-00161690 |access-date=June 9, 2024 |work=Politico}}</ref> Both Republican and Democratic political operatives saw the decision as a political panic move to take the controversial issue off the table.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goldiner |first=Dave |date=June 9, 2024 |title=Gov. Hochul congestion pricing flip-flop panned as political gambit for suburban N.Y. congressional seats |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/06/09/hochul-congestion-pricing-flip-flop-suburban-congress-seats/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |work=New York Daily News}}</ref> ''Curbed'' would later report that Hochul was very concerned about polling that indicated the program was very unpopular.<ref name="CurbedJune14">{{Cite web |last=Hicks |first=Nolan |date=June 14, 2024 |title=What Made Kathy Hochul Flip? |url=https://www.curbed.com/article/congestion-pricing-kathy-hochul-mta-albany-backstory.html |access-date=June 16, 2024 |website=Curbed}}</ref>
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Reporting in ''Crain's New York'' indicated that Hochul had been worried about the political implications of the implementation of the program for several months and had been looking for cover to pause the program.<ref name="TimesJune5" /><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ashford |first1=Grace |last2=Rubinstein |first2=Dana |last3=Fahy |first3=Claire |date=June 9, 2024 |title=How Governor Hochul Decided to Kill Congestion Pricing in New York |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/09/nyregion/hochul-congestion-pricing.html |access-date=June 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> She also reportedly voiced frustration for months that the plan was implemented by the administration of former Governor Andrew Cuomo, and that she never believed it was correctly structured.<ref name="DailyNewsJune5" /> ''Curbed'' reported that Hochul was never fully on board with the program.<ref name="CurbedJune14" /> Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said that the Governor had let him know in the previous two weeks that she was getting concerned with the response of voters to congestion pricing.<ref name="NY1June7">{{Cite web |date=June 8, 2024 |title=State lawmakers do not vote on MTA funding |url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/politics/2024/06/07/congestion-pricing-albany-latest |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=ny1.com}}</ref> Internal discussions about pausing congestion pricing significantly picked up right after an unrelated visit to the White House earlier in the week.<ref name="DailyNewsJune5" /> While at the White House, Hochul spoke with President Joe Biden and other officials about postponing the plan. In the days prior to her announcement, Hochul notified the White House, House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, Mayor Eric Adams and other politicians of her decision,<ref name="TimesJune5" /><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Kramer |first1=Marcia |last2=Fan |first2=Cristina |date=June 7, 2024 |title=MTA board "blindsided" by NYC congestion pricing delay and Gov. Kathy Hochul, sources say |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nyc-congestion-pricing-delayed-mta-board-blindsided-by-gov-kathy-hochul-decision/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=CBS News}}</ref> though state lawmakers<ref name="CrainsJune5">{{Cite news |last=Garber |first=Nick |date=June 5, 2024 |title=Hochul was 'looking for cover' on congestion pricing, insiders say |url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-policy/hochuls-congestion-pricing-retreat-came-after-months-worrying |access-date=June 9, 2024 |work=Crain's New York Business}}</ref> and MTA Board members were not briefed beforehand about the decision.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 5, 2024 |title=Congestion pricing in New York City indefinitely postponed |url=https://abc7ny.com/post/congestion-pricing-nyc-kathy-hochul-start-delay/14912968/ |access-date=June 9, 2024 |website=ABC7 New York}}</ref>
Hochul's decision was strongly condemned by environmentalists, transit advocates, and business groups that generally supported her, including the Partnership for New York City, and the New York Building Congress.<ref name="CrainsJune5" /> Congestion pricing advocates said the lack of congestion-toll revenue would negatively affect the transit system,<ref>{{cite web |last=Rincón |first=Sonia |date=June 5, 2024 |title=Congestion Pricing NYC Delay Deals Stunning Blow to the City and MTA Riders, Advocates Say |url=https://abc7ny.com/post/congestion-pricing-nyc-delay-deals-stunning-blow-city/14914824/ |access-date=June 5, 2024 |website=ABC7 New York |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Ley |first=Ana |date=June 5, 2024 |title=Supporters of Congestion Pricing Are Furious at Hochul's 'Betrayal' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/05/nyregion/congestion-pricing-supporters.html |access-date=June 5, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Those business groups were strongly opposed to the Governor's proposal to further increase the payroll tax in New York City.<ref>{{Cite news |last=David |first=Greg |date=June 5, 2024 |title=Business Leaders 'Furious' at Hochul Reversal on Manhattan Congestion Charge |url=http://www.thecity.nyc/2024/06/05/congestion-fee-manhattan-hochul-business/ |access-date=June 9, 2024 |work=The City}}</ref> Even though Mayor Eric Adams said he would stay aligned with the Governor's position,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hochul: Congestion pricing paused 'indefinitely' |url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2024/06/05/hochul-considers-delaying-congestion-pricing |access-date=June 9, 2024 |website=ny1.com}}</ref> multiple top-level appointees of his spoke out against Hochul's decision, including two appointees to the MTA Board, one of whom was a deputy mayor, and the head of the Department of City Planning.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leibowitz |first=Sophia |date=June 6, 2024 |title=City Officials Demand Congestion Pricing Despite Eric Adams's Deference to Hochul |url=https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2024/06/06/city-officials-demand-congestion-pricing-despite-eric-adamss-deference-to-hochul |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=Streetsblog}}</ref> The Governor's appointees to the Board were irritated by the decision.<ref name="StreetsblogJune10">{{Cite web |last=Meyer |first=David |date=June 10, 2024 |title=Hochul's Bid to Stop Congestion Pricing Might Be Illegal |url=https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2024/06/10/kathy-hochuls-bid-to-stop-congestion-pricing-might-be-illegal |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=Streetsblog}}</ref>
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After the postponement was announced, a poll of 1,400 [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] voters (who were deemed most likely to support the congestion charge) found that 50% of voters approved of the delay and that 32% opposed it. Pluralities of poll respondents also thought the toll would negatively affect their commute, but they were more likely to support the toll after they learned that it would be used for specific projects.<ref>{{cite web | last=Hicks | first=Nolan | title=Congestion Pricing's Promises Never Reached East Harlem | website=Curbed | date=2024-06-26 | url=https://www.curbed.com/article/congestion-pricing-second-avenue-subway-east-harlem-polls.html | access-date=2024-06-26}}</ref> Transit advocates also threatened to sue the state government over the delays,<ref>{{cite web |date=July 19, 2024 |title=Legal battles over NYC congestion pricing pause heat up |url=https://longisland.news12.com/legal-battles-over-nyc-congestion-pricing-pause-heat-up |access-date=July 20, 2024 |website=News 12 - Long Island}}</ref> and they filed a lawsuit on July 25.<ref>{{cite web | last=Kaske | first=Michelle | last2=Dolmetsch | first2=Chris | title=NY Governor Hochul Is Sued Over NYC Congestion Pricing Freeze | website=Bloomberg.com | date=July 25, 2024 | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-25/ny-governor-hochul-is-sued-over-nyc-congestion-pricing-freeze | access-date=July 25, 2024|postscript=none}}; {{Cite web | last=Nessen | first=Stephen | title=Advocates sue Gov. Hochul over her decision to halt NYC congestion pricing | website=Gothamist | date=July 25, 2024 | url=https://gothamist.com/news/advocates-sue-gov-hochul-over-her-decision-to-halt-nyc-congestion-pricing | access-date=July 25, 2024}}</ref>
On the evening of June 7, the MTA made its first public statement since the Governor's initial announcement. The statement said that Hochul's decision put large sections of the 2020-2024 Capital Program at risk, and that the agency would deprioritize modernization and improvement projects, such as making stations ADA accessible, in favor of those necessary to maintain the basic operation of the system. The MTA Board would review the Capital Program to make necessary changes, and a revised capital program was expected to be presented at its June meeting. The MTA statement also said that, per federal law, congestion pricing required approval from the federal government, New York City, and New York State, and that the MTA could not unilaterally implement the program due to the lack of approval.<ref name="AMNYJune8">{{Cite news |last=Pozarycki |first=Robert |date=June 8, 2024 |title=Congestion pricing: MTA left in the lurch after Hochul scraps toll plan, Albany fails on funding bill |url=https://www.amny.com/news/congestion-pricing-mta-lurch-hochul-funding/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |work=amNewYork}}</ref><ref name="CrainsJune8">{{Cite news |last=Spivack |first=Caroline |date=June 8, 2024 |title=MTA to deprioritize transit upgrades in wake of congestion pricing pause |url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/transportation/congestion-pricing-mta-deprioritize-transit-upgrades |access-date=June 10, 2024 |work=Crain's New York Business}}</ref>
The final approval of the program required the state and city departments of transportation, along with the MTA, to sign the final approval of an agreement as part of the federal government's Value Pricing Pilot Program.<ref name="StreetsblogJune8">{{Cite web |last=Kuntzman |first=Gersh |date=June 8, 2024 |title=State of Confusion: Albany Pols Adjourn, Hochul Gets Delusional, MTA Plans Capital Cuts in Wild Final Day |url=https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2024/06/07/state-of-confusion-albany-pols-adjourn-hochul-gets-delusional-mta-plans-capital-cuts-in-wild-final-day |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=Streetsblog}}</ref> On June 8, ABC reported that the federal government had not yet issued its final approval for the plan for the MTA, NYCDOT, and NYSDOT to sign.<ref name="June5ABC" /> ''Streetsblog'' reported that officials at the MTA had expected that the approval of the final VPPP agreement would just be a formality after the FHWA reviewed the program's final environmental review.<ref name="StreetsblogJune10" /> On June 10, MTA CEO Lieber, at a news conference, said the agency was working to scale back its capital program, and that the agency would not give up on congestion pricing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Colon |first=Dave |date=June 11, 2024 |title=Hochul's Congestion Pricing 'Pause' Lets Drivers Off the Hook and Riders Holding the Bag |url=https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2024/06/11/hochuls-congestion-pricing-pause-lets-drivers-off-the-hook-and-riders-holding-the-bag |access-date=June 16, 2024 |website=Streetsblog}}</ref> Lieber confirmed that the Governor directed the State DOT commissioner not to sign the final VPPP agreement.<ref name="GothamistJune10" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Robbins |first=Christopher |date=June 10, 2024 |title=MTA Head Subtly Acknowledges How Much Hochul's Congestion Pricing Flip-Flop Fucked Over Transit Riders |url=https://hellgatenyc.com/mta-head-subtly-acknowledges-hochul-congestion-pricing-fubar |access-date=June 16, 2024 |website=Hell Gate}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Garcia |first1=Deanna |last2=Liebman |first2=Samantha |title=MTA chairman talks agency's next steps after congestion pricing pause |url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/transit/2024/06/11/mta-chairman-talks-agency-s-next-steps-after-congestion-pricing-pause |access-date=June 16, 2024 |website=ny1.com}}</ref> The USDOT withheld its approval of the MTA's final environmental review of congestion pricing and the final VPPP agreement.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meyer |first=David |date=June 13, 2024 |title=Biden Administration to Let Hochul Dictate Congestion Pricing Next Steps, FHWA Says |url=https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2024/06/13/biden-administration-to-let-hochul-dictate-congestion-pricing-next-steps-fhwa-says |access-date=June 16, 2024 |website=Streetsblog}}</ref> The FHWA approved the MTA's re-evaluation of the environmental assessment of congestion pricing on June 14.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Colon |first=Dave |date=June 15, 2024 |title=Feds: Congestion Pricing Will Be Better Than We Even Thought ... And the Pressure is Now on Hochul |url=https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2024/06/14/federal-government-final-final-review-of-congestion-pricing-says-15-toll-is-kosher |access-date=June 16, 2024 |website=Streetsblog}}</ref>
A coalition of legal experts, advocates, potential plaintiffs, and New York City Comptroller [[Brad Lander]] indicated plans to overturn Hochul's pause of congestion pricing. Lander said he would file a lawsuit in July if congestion pricing did not start.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rubinstein |first=Dana |date=June 11, 2024 |title=Opponents of Hochul's Move to Halt Congestion Pricing May Go to Court |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/11/nyregion/congestion-pricing-lawsuits.html |access-date=June 16, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 12, 2024 |title=NYC Comptroller Lander & Coalition of Legal Experts and Potential Plaintiffs Announce Plan to Explore Legal Avenues to Resume Congestion Pricing |url=https://comptroller.nyc.gov/newsroom/nyc-comptroller-lander-coalition-of-legal-experts-and-potential-plaintiffs-announce-plan-to-explore-legal-avenues-to-resume-congestion-pricing/ |access-date=June 16, 2024 |website=comptroller.nyc.gov |publisher=Office of the New York City Comptroller}}</ref> Near the end of June, New York state controller [[Thomas DiNapoli]] warned that the MTA would need to defer $17 billion worth of capital projects or cut back service,<ref>{{cite web | last=Simko-Bednarski | first=Evan | title=N.Y. Comptroller DiNapoli warns of 'substantial impact' on MTA if congestion funding not replaced | website=New York Daily News | date=June 25, 2024 | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/06/25/n-y-comptroller-dinapoli-warns-of-substantial-impact-on-mta-if-congestion-funding-not-replaced/ | access-date=June 25, 2024|postscript=none}}; {{cite web | last=Kaske | first=Michelle | title=NYC MTA Needs to Cut $17 Billion After Toll Pause, State Comptroller Says | website=Bloomberg.com | date=June 25, 2024 | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-06-25/nyc-mta-needs-to-cut-17-billion-after-toll-pause-dinapoli-says | access-date=June 25, 2024}}</ref> and the MTA's board voted to postpone $16.5 billion worth of projects.<ref name="Nessen 2024 l550">{{cite web |last=Nessen |first=Stephen |date=June 26, 2024 |title=All the NYC transit upgrades that won't happen under congestion pricing freeze |url=https://gothamist.com/news/all-the-nyc-transit-upgrades-that-wont-happen-under-congestion-pricing-freeze |access-date=June 26, 2024 |website=Gothamist |postscript=none}}; {{Cite news |last=Ley |first=Ana |date=2024-06-26 |title=Congestion Pricing Suspension Halts $16.5 Billion in Subway Upgrades |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/26/nyregion/nyc-congestion-pricing-mta.html |access-date=2024-06-26 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Concurrently, the MTA board passed a resolution, highlighting the fact that the congestion charge was required to be implemented by law.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wilson |first=Colleen |date=June 26, 2024 |title=MTA board move may give NYC congestion pricing advocates pathway |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/transportation/2024/06/26/mta-board-move-may-give-nyc-congestion-pricing-advocates-legal-pathway/74219975007/ |access-date=June 26, 2024 |website=Bergen Record}}</ref> The advocacy group Reinvent Albany reported that the congestion-pricing delay could result in the loss of at least 101,500 mostly high-paying jobs.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chen |first=Stefanos |date=2024-06-26 |title=Canceling Congestion Pricing Could Kill 100,000 New York Jobs |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/26/nyregion/congestion-pricing-funding-job-loss.html |access-date=2024-06-26 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> There were also concerns that, due to the delayed repairs, the transit system could again experience critical failures.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Ley|first=Ana|date=2024-08-08|title=7 Years After ‘Summer of Hell,’ the Subway Is Approaching Another Crisis|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/08/nyregion/subway-mta-finances-congestion-pricing.html|access-date=2024-08-08|work=The New York Times|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
==== Tax and bond proposals ====
To fill the gap of $1 billion a year that would have been raised by congestion pricing, the Governor proposed increasing the MTA payroll mobility tax on certain New York City businesses. Her proposal would have increased the tax on businesses with payroll expenses of more than $1.75 million a year from 0.6 percent of expenses to 0.825 percent of expenses. There also would have been a tax cut for smaller businesses.<ref name="NY1June7" /><ref name="TimesJune5" /><ref name="GothamistJune5">{{Cite news |last1=Campbell |first1=Jon |last2=Nessen |first2=Stephen |date=June 5, 2024 |title=Gov. Hochul indefinitely pauses NYC congestion pricing, weeks before tolls were set to launch |url=https://gothamist.com/news/gov-hochul-floats-last-minute-delay-to-nyc-congestion-pricing-amid-political-pressure |access-date=June 9, 2024 |work=Gothamist}}</ref> The State Legislature extended their session past Thursday as they considered the Governor's announcement and the proposed tax increase.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kaske |first1=Michelle |last2=Dunn |first2=Danielle Muoio |date=June 6, 2024 |title=NY Lawmakers Weigh Business Tax Hike After Hochul Toll Reversal |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-06-06/ny-lawmakers-weigh-business-tax-hike-after-hochul-toll-reversal |access-date=June 10, 2024 |work=Bloomberg}}</ref> This would have been the second increase in that tax in New York City in two years. While Assembly Democrats were considered to be willing to consider the Governor's proposed PMT increase if it was part of a larger deal, State Senate Democrats were more openly opposed to the proposed PMT increase.<ref name="NewsdayJune6">{{Cite news |last=Roy |first=Yancey |date=June 6, 2024 |title=Gov. Kathy Hochul's idea for New York City payroll tax hike gets rough reception from lawmakers |url=https://www.newsday.com/news/region-state/mta-congestion-pricing-hochul-payroll-tax-p517ph8y |access-date=June 10, 2024 |work=Newsday}}</ref><ref name="GothamistJune6" /><ref name="NewsdayJune5" /> The Governor's team had offered to sign other bills she had initially been opposed to in exchange for the approval of Hochul's proposed tax.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hogan |first=Bernadette |title=State lawmakers reject Hochul's NYC business tax proposal |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/politics/2024/06/06/state-lawmakers-reject-hochul-s-nyc-business-tax-proposal-in-wake-of-congestion-pricing-delay |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=spectrumlocalnews.com}}</ref><ref name="CBSJune7">{{Cite web |last1=Kramer |first1=Marcia |last2=Houlis |first2=Katie |date=June 7, 2024 |title=New York Legislature seeking solutions to bail out MTA after congestion pricing pause, sources say |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/mta-bail-out-congestion-pricing-pause/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=CBS New York}}</ref> The proposal was deemed unviable by the late afternoon of June 6.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Garber |first=Nick |date=June 6, 2024 |title=Hochul's business tax proposal falters in Albany after congestion pricing pause |url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-policy/hochuls-business-tax-proposal-falters-albany-after-congestion-pricing-pause |access-date=June 9, 2024 |work=Crain's New York Business}}</ref>
After the legislature rejected Hochul's tax plan, her team pivoted on the evening of June 6 to pushing the legislature to approve a resolution that would provide the MTA with an initial appropriation of $1 billion from the state's general fund, and put the full faith and credit of the state behind the bonds, which allow the MTA to sell $15 billion in bonds for its capital program.<ref name="CBSJune7" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Stratman |first=Josephine |date=June 7, 2024 |title=Hochul's latest bid to close MTA's congestion pricing funding gap blasted as 'cockamamie IOU scam' |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/06/07/hochul-latest-bid-to-close-mta-congestion-pricing-funding-gap-blasted-as-cockamamie-iou-scam/ |access-date=June 10, 2024 |work=New York Daily News}}</ref> A recurring funding stream would be identified in the following legislative session in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Colon |first=Dave |date=June 6, 2024 |title=Reporter's Notebook: Where Were You The Day Congestion Pricing Died (Maybe)? |url=https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2024/06/06/reporters-notebook-where-were-you-the-day-congestion-pricing-died-maybe |access-date=June 10, 2024 |website=Streetsblog}}</ref><ref name="NewsdayJune6" /> A vote had been planned for the plan that evening, but was pushed off after it became clear there was inadequate support for it in the legislature.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mellins |first=Sam |title=Hochul in Hiding as Congestion Pricing Hangs by a Thread |url=https://nysfocus.com/2024/06/07/hochul-congestion-pricing-silence |access-date=June 10, 2024 |work=New York Focus}}</ref> By the following day, six Senate Democrats had already announced their opposition to the proposal,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Garber |first=Nick |date=June 7, 2024 |title=State lawmakers question governor's hastily conceived $1B Band-Aid for the MTA |url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/politics-policy/congestion-pricing-substitute-roils-albany |access-date=June 10, 2024 |work=Crain's New York Business}}</ref> and 13 were reportedly opposed to it.<ref name="StreetsblogJune8" />
Hochul doubled down on her decision in a June 7 press conference and insisted that the pause would be temporary.<ref name="CrainsJune8" /> She also stated that she did not believe a vote by the MTA Board on the pause was necessary since it would be temporary, and that MTA leadership agreed to implement it.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ashford |first1=Grace |last2=Fahy |first2=Claire |date=June 8, 2024 |title=N.Y. Lawmakers End Session Without Replacing Congestion Pricing Revenue |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/07/nyregion/mta-congestion-pricing.html |access-date=June 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="GothamistJun10">{{Cite news |last=Campbell |first=Jon |date=June 7, 2024 |title=NY lawmakers won't tackle Hochul-created congestion pricing budget hole, for now |url=https://gothamist.com/news/ny-lawmakers-wont-tackle-hochul-created-mta-budget-hole-for-now |access-date=June 10, 2024 |work=Gothamist}}</ref> Hochul said she made the decision when she did to catch legislators before the end of the session.<ref name="NY1June7" /> She also stated that the funding was not essential since it would have taken months for the revenue to accumulate.<ref name="GothamistJun10" /> The State Legislature adjourned their session on the morning of June 8 without passing legislation to provide alternative funding for the MTA.<ref name="AMNYJune8" /> The Governor's last-minute announcement regarding congestion pricing had a major impact on the other priorities of the State Legislature, which had less time to discuss other legislation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Prater |first=Nia |date=June 12, 2024 |title=Without Congestion Pricing, Will the Subway Go Broke? |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/without-congestion-pricing-will-the-subway-go-broke.html |access-date=June 16, 2024 |website=Intelligencer}}</ref> Several of these bills, which were previously easily expected to pass both houses, were no longer expected to be passed.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lisa |first=Kate |date=June 6, 2024 |title=Congestion pricing reversal causes end-of-session roadblocks in Albany |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/politics/2024/06/06/congestion-pricing-reversal-causes-end-of-session-roadblocks |access-date=June 10, 2024 |work=Spectrum Local News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ashford |first1=Grace |last2=Fahy |first2=Claire |date=June 8, 2024 |title=In Final Analysis, N.Y. Legislative Session Is Defined by Its Omissions |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/08/nyregion/congestion-pricing-legislature-ny.html |access-date=June 10, 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
== State legislators began informally negotiating with Hochul to implement a reduced congestion toll in late June 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Rubinstein |first1=Dana |last2=Ashford |first2=Grace |date=2024-07-01 |title=Hochul Is Pressed to Resurrect Congestion Pricing With Lower Toll |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/01/nyregion/congestion-pricing-hochul.html |access-date=2024-07-01 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Nessen 2024 p513">{{cite web |last=Nessen |first=Stephen |date=July 2, 2024 |title=NY lawmakers weigh lower congestion pricing fee – but Trump could kill tolls if elected |url=https://gothamist.com/news/ny-lawmakers-weigh-lower-congestion-pricing-fee-but-trump-could-kill-tolls-if-elected |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=Gothamist}}</ref> Legislators wanted the tolls to be implemented before the end of the year, since Donald Trump had promised to cancel congestion pricing if he won the [[2024 United States presidential election]].<ref name="Nessen 2024 p513" /> The Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee reported in August 2024 that, of eight alternatives to the congestion pricing plan, none provided as much funding as the congestion toll would have.<ref>{{cite web | last=Brachfeld | first=Ben | title=How do MTA funding alternatives compare to congestion pricing? Not well, says a new report | website=amNewYork | date=August 11, 2024 | url=https://www.amny.com/transit/how-do-mta-funding-alternatives-compare-to-congestion-pricing-not-well-says-a-new-report/ | access-date=August 12, 2024}}</ref> The same month, Politico reported that state lawmakers were considering lowering the tolls and giving exemptions to emergency workers.<ref>{{cite web | last=Reisman | first=Nick | title=Congestion pricing replacement plan could come by year's end, Hochul says | website=POLITICO | date=August 19, 2024 | url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/08/19/congestion-pricing-replacement-plan-could-come-by-years-end-hochul-says-00174767 | access-date=August 20, 2024}}</ref>
▲State legislators began informally negotiating with Hochul to implement a reduced congestion toll in late June 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Rubinstein |first1=Dana |last2=Ashford |first2=Grace |date=2024-07-01 |title=Hochul Is Pressed to Resurrect Congestion Pricing With Lower Toll |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/01/nyregion/congestion-pricing-hochul.html |access-date=2024-07-01 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Nessen 2024 p513">{{cite web |last=Nessen |first=Stephen |date=July 2, 2024 |title=NY lawmakers weigh lower congestion pricing fee – but Trump could kill tolls if elected |url=https://gothamist.com/news/ny-lawmakers-weigh-lower-congestion-pricing-fee-but-trump-could-kill-tolls-if-elected |access-date=July 5, 2024 |website=Gothamist}}</ref> Legislators wanted the tolls to be implemented before the end of the year, since Donald Trump had promised to cancel congestion pricing if he won the [[2024 United States presidential election]].<ref name="Nessen 2024 p513" /> One report estimated that a complete cancellation of congestion pricing could cost the state up to $1 billion,<ref name=nyt-2024-07-16>{{Cite news |last=Ley |first=Ana |date=2024-07-16 |title=Up to $1 Billion May Go to Waste After Hochul’s Congestion Pricing Halt |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/16/nyregion/congestion-pricing-cost-hochul.html |access-date=2024-07-20 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Matteo 2024 e176">{{cite web |last=Matteo |first=Mike |title=$1B could be wasted due to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s reversal on NYC congestion pricing, report says |website=silive |date=July 17, 2024 |url=https://www.silive.com/news/2024/07/1b-could-be-wasted-due-to-gov-kathy-hochuls-reversal-on-nyc-congestion-pricing-report-says.html |access-date=July 20, 2024}}</ref> while ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' reported that the delays had cost $700 million through the end of June 2024, including $33 million spent on hiring customer service staff.<ref name=nyt-2024-07-16/><ref>{{cite news |title=17 Years, $700 Million Wasted: The Stunning Collapse of New York’s Traffic Moonshot |first=Jimmy |last=Vielkind |first2=Joseph |last2=De Avila |date=30 June 2024 |url=https://www.wsj.com/us-news/new-york-congestion-pricing-collapse-traffic-7687ccaf |work=The Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660 |access-date=July 20, 2024}}</ref>
==Proposed tolls<span class="anchor" id="Tolls"></span>==
The congestion pricing zone includes almost all of Manhattan south of [[60th Street (Manhattan)|60th Street]].<ref name="CBS New York 2024 t490"/> Drivers would not pay a toll if they stayed on the FDR Drive and West Side Highway.<ref name="CBS New York 2024 t490">{{cite web | title=NYC congestion pricing start date set for June 30. See a map of the zone and how much it will cost | website=CBS New York | date=April 26, 2024 | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nyc-congestion-pricing-start-date/ | access-date=April 28, 2024 | archive-date=April 27, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427233319/https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/nyc-congestion-pricing-start-date/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Ley 2023 x129" /> Drivers on the [[Brooklyn Bridge]] and [[Queensboro Bridge]] would be exempted if they used certain ramps that connected with these highways or outside of the congestion zones.<ref name="Nessen 2024 t852">{{cite web | last=Nessen | first=Stephen | title=Which drivers get tolled under congestion pricing on the Brooklyn and Queensboro bridges? It's complicated. | website=Gothamist | date=April 15, 2024 | url=https://gothamist.com/news/which-drivers-get-tolled-under-congestion-pricing-on-the-brooklyn-and-queensboro-bridges-its-complicated | access-date=April 15, 2024 | archive-date=April 15, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240415120915/https://gothamist.com/news/which-drivers-get-tolled-under-congestion-pricing-on-the-brooklyn-and-queensboro-bridges-its-complicated | url-status=live }}</ref>{{Efn|Under the plan, drivers traveling westbound on the Queensboro Bridge's northern upper-level roadway, drivers traveling westbound from the Brooklyn Bridge to the northbound FDR Drive, or drivers traveling from the FDR Drive to the Brooklyn Bridge eastbound, would be exempt from the toll. All other drivers would be tolled.<ref name="Nessen 2024 t852"/>}}
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