New York Gov. The implementation of New York City’s contentious congestion pricing plan has been “indefinitely postponed,” according to Kathy Hochul on Wednesday. Implementing the anticipated congestion pricing system risks to some unforeseen consequences for New Yorkers at this time, according to Hochul. WATCH: We’re addressing affordability and the cost of living in New York. Watch: https ://t.co/rdFzgTf72D pic. twitter.com/cDv3lLHdaN— Governor Kathy Hochul ( @GovKathy Hochul ) June 5, 2024The congestion pricing plan was scheduled to take effect June 30th. The controversial plan, which would charge drivers$ 15 to drive through parts of Manhattan, was approved by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority ( MTA ) board in March. Citizens clearly characterized the nation’s first congestion pricing plan as a cash grab that will disproportionately affect center- and lower-income drivers. The toll will be$ 15 for all vehicles entering Manhattan at 61st Street and below during the day and$ 3.75 for those entering at night.Taxi drivers will be subject to a$ 14.25 surcharge for each ride, while Uber and Lyft drivers will be only charged$ 2.50. Fox News reports: New York Gov. Apparently because of concerns about the backlash at the voting booth, Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday that she would stop the organized congestion pricing program’s rollout on June 30. ” My commitment to a greener, more sustainable future is unwavering”, Hochul said at a press conference Wednesday, announcing that she directed the Metropolitan Transportation Authority ( MTA ) to “indefinitely pause” the congestion pricing program. I have spent more time promoting environment protection and combating climate change than any governor in our history. According to Hochul,” We will continue to find solutions to congestion, and we will continue to find solutions that benefit both our planet and our people.” This decision focuses on doing what is necessary for those who contribute to the prosperity of our city. It’s about standing up for the hardworking men and women who rise each day, carry out their duties, and simply want a fair shake. The small guy who feels as though no one pays attention to them. I’m here to say, we are listening. You are the person making this choice. And to those who question my motivation, I look at every decision from the perspective of what is best for New Yorkers.” It’s said that congestion pricing in the Big Apple will make the country greener by reducing traffic and improving air quality,” Hochul said. Congestion pricing for# BreakingNews has been indefinitely delayed. It will not start June 30, an official tells Eyewitness News https ://t.co/UJb22pdc3P— Eyewitness News ( @ABC7NY ) June 5, 2024″ I want to thank @GovKathy Hochul for pausing the implementation of congestion pricing in Manhattan’s Central Business District. Although there are some divergent viewpoints on this subject, the New Jersey governor, @GovKathy Hochul, and I are “firmly committed to working together for all of our residents,” Phil Murphy said. I want to thank @GovKathy Hochul for preventing congestion pricing in Manhattan’s Central Business District.
Although there have been disagreements regarding this matter, @GovKathy Hochul and I are firmly committed to working together for all of our residents. pic. twitter.com/UyS3v3nQGo— Governor Phil Murphy ( @GovMurphy ) June 5, 2024From ABC 7 NY: New York would have become the first U. S. city to join a handful globally with similar congestion pricing schemes, including London, Stockholm, Milan and Singapore, which is credited with pioneering the first such program in 1975. The system requires at least$ 15 for passenger vehicle entry into Manhattan below 60th Street, roughly south of Central Park, with larger vehicles also having to pay more. The previously expensive tolls for using bridges and tunnels to enter Manhattan, such as the$ 13.38 to$ 17.63 it costs to transport a car through the Lincoln or Holland tunnels, would add to those already high fees. In preparation for the plan’s launch, the MTA has now invested tens of millions of dollars in installing cameras, sensors, license plate readers, and other equipment on city streets. The fee was anticipated to give the subway and bus systems, which transport about 4 million passengers each day, an annual cash injection of about$ 1 billion. Democrats are facing tough House races in the suburbs of New York City, so the decision to delay is even made. Congestion pricing is a social tool that republicans intend to use. [[{“value”:”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday that New York City’s controversial plan to charge congestion fees has been ‘indefinitely delayed.’ Watch: We’re addressing the affordability and cost of living in New York. Watch: https://t.co/rdFzgTf72D pic.twitter.com/cDv3lLHdaN — Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) June 5, 2024 The congestion pricing plan was scheduled to take effect June 30th. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board approved the controversial plan, which would charge drivers $15 to drive through certain parts of Manhattan, in March. Nation’s First Congestion Pricing Plan Approved, Tolls $15 and Up for Motorists Critics have called the plan a money grab that will primarily impact middle-income and lower-income motorists. Toll structure: Cars pay $15 during the day to enter Manhattan below 61st Street, and $3.75 during the night. Motorcycles pay $7.50 and $1.75 during the night. Trucks pay between $24 and 36 during the night and $6-9 during the morning. Taxi drivers pay $1.25 per ride. Uber and Lyft drivers pay $2.50. Fox News reports that New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Wednesday that she will stop the planned roll out of the congestion pricing program for June 30, reportedly because she is worried about the backlash in the voting booth. Hochul announced at a Wednesday press conference that she had directed the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to “indefinitely suspend” the congestion pricing program. “I am more committed than any governor to protecting our environment and combating climate change.” Hochul said, “We will continue finding strategies to address traffic and we will continue to develop solutions that benefit our planet and people.” “This decision is all about doing what’s best for the people that make our city thrive.” It’s about standing for the hardworking people who wake up every day, do their job and want a fair shake. The little guy that feels no one is listening to him. I’m here today to tell you that we do listen. This decision is all about you. To those cynics that question my motives, I approach each decision with one lens: What is best for New Yorkers.” The stated goal of congestion charging in the Big Apple was to improve air quality and reduce traffic. But Hochul is more concerned that this policy, which is billed as a green initiative, could hurt Democrats during this year’s tight elections. #BreakingNews The congestion pricing has been postponed indefinitely. It will not start June 30, an official tells Eyewitness News https://t.co/UJb22pdc3P — Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) June 5, 2024 “I want to thank @GovKathyHochul for pausing the implementation of congestion pricing in Manhattan’s Central Business District. “I want to thank @GovKathyHochul for pausing the implementation of congestion pricing in Manhattan’s Central Business District. Phil Murphy said. I would like to thank @GovKathyHochul who has stopped the implementation of congestion charges in Manhattan’s Central Business District.
Even though we disagreed on this issue, I and @GovKathyHochul are committed to working together in the best interests of all our residents. pic.twitter.com/UyS3v3nQGo — Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) June 5, 2024 From ABC 7 NY: New York would have become the first U.S. city to join a handful globally with similar congestion pricing schemes, including London, Stockholm, Milan and Singapore, which is credited with pioneering the first such program in 1975. The system would require that most people driving passenger cars into Manhattan below 60th Street, roughly the area south from Central Park, pay at least $15. Larger vehicles would be charged more. These tolls will be added to the already high tolls that are charged to enter Manhattan via bridges and tunnels. For example, a car entering Manhattan through the Holland or Lincoln tunnels costs between $13.38 and $17.63. The MTA already spent tens and millions of dollars on installing cameras, license plate readers, sensors and other equipment along city roads in anticipation of this plan’s launch. The fee was to provide a cash infusion of approximately $1 billion per year for the subway and bus systems, which carry around 4 million riders each day. The decision to delay comes at a time when Democrats are facing tough House races in New York City suburbs. Republicans had planned to use congestion prices as a political tool.
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