Could NYC congestion pricing plan be halted in court before Jan. 5 start?

New York’s Staten Island. According to a recent New York Times report, there is a potential that the plan could be overturned in court even though New York City’s congestion pricing scheme, which would charge tolls to drivers who enter a Congestion Relief Zone, is scheduled to formally begin in January 2025.

Governor Kathy Hochul said the plan will officially begin at midnight on Sunday, January 5.

The program’s numerous cameras will then activate and start charging drivers a daily fee via the Tolls by Mail program or E-ZPass.

Despite months of obstacles and delays, congestion pricing appears to be finally on the horizon thanks to the support of the governor, federal transportation officials, and the MTA. However, it could still encounter a last-minute obstacle because of lawsuits filed by the state of New Jersey, the United Federation of Teachers, and Borough President Vito Fossella.

It has been contended in at least ten cases in recent years that the increased tolls would unfairly redistribute traffic and pollution to other sections of the city, harm small companies, and negatively impact commuters.

Traffic initiatives like this frequently wind up in front of a judge. Hochul has already stopped this one once.Additionally, President-elect Donald J. Trump, its most well-known opponent, has declared that he will put an end to it permanently when he enters office next month.

Therefore, a court’s decision to impose even a slight delay would increase the likelihood that Trump will fulfill his promise.

Kathryn Freed, a member of the group New Yorkers Against Congestion Pricing Tax, which is seeking to halt the scheme, told The New York Times, “We’re not giving up.” In the congestion zone, Freed added, the tolls would increase the cost of products and services, including delivery, and the costs would be passed on to consumers.

Hochul voiced her concern that the additional costs will negatively impact New York City’s economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic when she announced the program’s suspension in June.

However, she brought it back last month with a reduced toll ($9 as opposed to $15 for most drivers), and she and transportation executives took swift action to reopen it.

The Congestion Relief Zone, which is any surface route in Manhattan south of 60th route, will now require most automobiles to pay a $9 toll.

The current goal, according to Director of State Operations Kathryn Garcia, is to keep the $9 toll unchanged for at least three years after it is put into effect.

Hochul said the 40% reduction in fare would save daily riders almost $1,500 a year while still enabling the MTA to borrow $15 billion in financing for new projects.

NYC congestion pricing

• Congestion pricing in NYC: When will drivers start to get charged?

• Following months-long pause, NYC congestion pricing could return: Here s what drivers should know

• NYC officials, advocates explore lawsuits after N.Y. Gov. Kathy Hochul pauses congestion pricing

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