New York City Congestion Pricing

KCasiglio

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Did not see another thread related to this or a general New York City thread. Please feel free to move if there is somewhere more appropriate.

In an incredibly frustrating move, Hochul Halts Congestion Pricing in a Stunning 11th-Hour Shift.

As of right now, it's shelved indefinitely. This will cost the MTA billions that they were already budgeting for over the next few years if not implemented.
 
Did not see another thread related to this or a general New York City thread. Please feel free to move if there is somewhere more appropriate.

In an incredibly frustrating move, Hochul Halts Congestion Pricing in a Stunning 11th-Hour Shift.

As of right now, it's shelved indefinitely. This will cost the MTA billions that they were already budgeting for over the next few years if not implemented.
It’s a disaster that was going to screw everyone. Even the unions who were going to get the money hated it.
 
It’s a disaster that was going to screw everyone. Even the unions who were going to get the money hated it.
But what's the alternative? Either the MTA is funded through a congestion charge, or now more likely a payroll tax. The latter is much worse in terms of economic incentives and is also quite regressive. Congestion pricing is the optimal solution because it puts the cost of congestion on the people who create it, whereas a payroll tax puts the cost on everybody. The majority of New Yorkers travel by train and bus, not private automobile, but let's continue to cater toward the minority of people who drive. :rolleyes:
 
It’s a disaster that was going to screw everyone. Even the unions who were going to get the money hated it.

It has already been successfully implemented in cities all over the world, with resounding success. It demonstrably and measurably improves air quality, road safety, travel times, and, obviously in this particular case, it would have funded much needed infrastructure and public transportation improvements.

Would some people have been screwed? Yes, of course; every single law ever written screws somebody. But in saying that it "was going to screw everyone" you have outed yourself as unserious on this topic.
 
Some random article I could find regarding an update on NYC congestion pricing:


Albany lawmakers refused to give NY's Governor a replacement funding plan for NYC's MTA to cover the loss of congestion pricing funds. The MTA will either need to implement congestion pricing anyways, or go over a fatal fiscal cliff. The state has fashed signficant backlash from citizens and businesses over the Governor's proposed tax hike.
 
MTA announces all capital projects have to be reevaluated or cancelled.



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But what's the alternative? Either the MTA is funded through a congestion charge, or now more likely a payroll tax. The latter is much worse in terms of economic incentives and is also quite regressive. Congestion pricing is the optimal solution because it puts the cost of congestion on the people who create it, whereas a payroll tax puts the cost on everybody. The majority of New Yorkers travel by train and bus, not private automobile, but let's continue to cater toward the minority of people who drive. :rolleyes:
It applied to taxis, Uber, service vehicles, delivery trucks, etc which is paid for by folks who don’t drive. You could also charge people who use the MTA to ride the MTA.

They need to look at their cost structure, inefficient union work rules and everything else.

The answer isn’t always more money since that will never solve this problem.
 
But what's the alternative? Either the MTA is funded through a congestion charge, or now more likely a payroll tax. The latter is much worse in terms of economic incentives and is also quite regressive. Congestion pricing is the optimal solution because it puts the cost of congestion on the people who create it, whereas a payroll tax puts the cost on everybody. The majority of New Yorkers travel by train and bus, not private automobile, but let's continue to cater toward the minority of people who drive. :rolleyes:

I predict New York will get sick of the Democrats overtaxing them, making living even more expensive and will promptly vote in other parties and roll all this back. It won't last.
 
I predict New York will get sick of the Democrats overtaxing them, making living even more expensive and will promptly vote in other parties and roll all this back. It won't last.
That's what people said about the NYC income tax. New York's center of gravity is so strong, there isn't much that causes a net loss of population or voters.
 
Well it's back on the table and it's moderated and fast-tracked to get in place before inauguration day. I hope Hochul (and apparently the house Ds who were pushing her) realize this makes her look incredibly weak; stalling the process when the regulatory process was complete, then ramming it back through when there's actual risk of federal delays/cancellation. Just ham-handed politicking with no real purpose other than trying to save votes in areas that wanted nothing to do with the party...anyways, hope it goes back in and the MTA can again adjust their forecasts. Just totally unforced.

 
Well it's back on the table and it's moderated and fast-tracked to get in place before inauguration day. I hope Hochul (and apparently the house Ds who were pushing her) realize this makes her look incredibly weak; stalling the process when the regulatory process was complete, then ramming it back through when there's actual risk of federal delays/cancellation. Just ham-handed politicking with no real purpose other than trying to save votes in areas that wanted nothing to do with the party...anyways, hope it goes back in and the MTA can again adjust their forecasts. Just totally unforced.


Sadly it's politics as usual, but the end result will be the one most people wanted, so I guess that's good.
 
Sadly it's politics as usual, but the end result will be the one most people wanted, so I guess that's good.
Although, as I think about it more, I'm not so sure how delaying the implementation of this program helped the governor politically. The people from the states it would affect most (NY, NJ, CT) were not at risk at going red - and even with the delay, all three states still became redder, though. Hell, NJ almost became a swing state.

I guess I just don't get the strategy.
 
Although, as I think about it more, I'm not so sure how delaying the implementation of this program helped the governor politically. The people from the states it would affect most (NY, NJ, CT) were not at risk at going red - and even with the delay, all three states still became redder, though. Hell, NJ almost became a swing state.

I guess I just don't get the strategy.

It's more than just presidential votes. House seats, state assembly seats, etc
 
The revised plan will need the fast-track approval of the U.S. Transportation Department and the new toll is expected to be implemented before President Joe Biden leaves office on Jan. 20. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is expected to vote next week to approve the charge, the source added.


I didn't realize they would need approval from the federal government to implement a toll..

I guess she figures she'd better do it before Trump taking office. That being said, if Republicans live up to their own standards and beliefs, they'll allow New York to make this decision for themselves without federal interference.
 
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In the ruling, Judge Lewis Liman said the plaintiffs did not prove that the harms of the program outweigh the economic and environmental benefits.

Liman cited studies showing that it would reduce traffic and improve air quality.

Other legal challenges are still being considered, including ones from Rockland County and New Jersey.
 

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