Federal Highway Administration gives blessing $9 daily toll via “obscure value pricing” program
Nov 22, 2024 — Gothamist
The MTA’s congestion pricing plan just got the green light.
The Federal Highway Administration has given its blessing to the Manhattan tolling program, which Gov. Kathy Hochul revived earlier this month with a lower $9 daily toll. The federal government’s sign-off was necessary due to Hochul’s plan to gradually raise the base fare. Hochul paused congestion pricing over the summer, saying the previous base fare of $15 was too expensive. Now, drivers won’t be hit with that daytime toll until 2031.
“We are pleased to have received formal approval from the Federal Highway Administration for the phase-in feature of the Central Business District Tolling Program,” Catherine Sheridan, president of MTA Bridges and Tunnels/Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, wrote in a statement.
The MTA board approved the new tolling structure for drivers traveling south of 60th Street earlier this week. Federal highways official Richard Marquis wrote that no further analysis was necessary before initiating the tolls, which the MTA plans to activate on Jan. 5.
“The phase-in of the adopted toll structure and impacts associated with it was analyzed and mitigated accordingly. FHWA finds that no additional environmental analysis is warranted,” Marquis wrote in a letter to the transit authority that was posted publicly on Friday.
Hochul initiated her earlier pause of congestion pricing by withholding her administration’s signature from a document for the obscure federal Value Pricing Pilot Program.
The city, state and federal government signed the form on Thursday.
“Public transit riders are one big step closer to more reliable trains, accessible stations and faster buses. After years of campaigning and holding our leaders accountable, relief cannot come soon enough,” said Betsy Plum, executive director of the nonprofit Riders Alliance, in a statement. “Decongesting America’s most gridlocked neighborhoods will speed up ambulances and cut the massive waste and inefficiency that drive up our grocery bills and put essentials out of reach. Reducing traffic crashes and toxic air pollution will lower healthcare costs.”
The MTA is planning eight public webinars with updates on the latest toll structure, running from Dec. 4-19.
One of the leading opponents of congestion pricing, the Trucking Association of New York, said in a statement that it remained committed to a lawsuit arguing the tolls unfairly charge large vehicles a more expensive toll.
“While political leadership is now saying the right things about bringing down the cost of living in the state, New Yorkers should not be fooled by the rhetoric: this new congestion pricing plan is still bad for the economy, will still cause supply chain disruptions, and will still raise the price of goods upon which households across the five boroughs and its surrounding suburbs rely,” association president Kendra Hems said.
