Cuomo Breaks Silence on Hochul’s $9 Congestion Pricing Plan, Calls for Data-Driven Reassessment

Cuomo Breaks Silence on Hochul’s $9 Congestion Pricing Plan, Calls for Data-Driven Reassessment

Edited by: TJVNews.com

In a significant political development, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has publicly opposed Governor Kathy Hochul’s $9 congestion toll plan to enter Midtown Manhattan. As reported by The New York Post on Sunday, Cuomo, who was once a driving force behind congestion pricing legislation in New York, is now urging a data-driven reassessment of the policy, arguing that its implementation could further harm New York City’s fragile post-pandemic recovery.

This marks the first time Cuomo has spoken out against the congestion toll since Governor Hochul formally announced it following the November elections. The Post reported that Cuomo’s spokesperson, Rich Azzopardi, conveyed the former governor’s concerns, stating, “It is undeniable that New York is in a dramatically different place today than it was in 2019, and without a study forecasting [the toll’s] consequences based on facts, not politics, it could do more harm than good to New York City’s recovery.”

It’s worth noting that Cuomo played a pivotal role in championing the congestion pricing plan in 2019. The measure was initially introduced to alleviate Manhattan’s notorious traffic congestion and generate crucial funding for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). However, Cuomo’s recent reversal is rooted in his belief that the economic and social conditions of New York City have changed drastically since the policy’s inception.

Despite his fundamental support for the concept of congestion pricing, Cuomo has been vocal about the need to reassess its timing and execution. In a March op-ed for The Post, Cuomo argued, “The people of New York know this is not the time to implement congestion pricing,” citing persistent economic instability, rising subway crime, and a general lack of public confidence in mass transit infrastructure.

Cuomo’s spokesperson reiterated this point on Sunday, telling The Post, “Congestion pricing is premised on a safe and reliable subway system, and given the obvious lack of confidence the public currently has in the subway system – combined with the tenuous state of New York City post-COVID – the Governor called for a data-driven study on the impact of congestion pricing to inform the timing of such a major policy change.”

The former governor’s hesitation is not without basis. As reported by The Post, New York City’s subway system recorded ten murders this year alone—the highest in 25 years. Among these tragedies was the horrifying recent case of a sleeping subway passenger who was set ablaze by an alleged illegal migrant from Guatemala. This grim backdrop fuels Cuomo’s argument that public confidence in the subway system must be restored before introducing additional financial burdens on commuters.

Cuomo also emphasized the economic fragility of New York City in the aftermath of the pandemic. Despite signs of recovery, many businesses in Midtown Manhattan are still struggling, and remote work trends have left offices partially empty, reducing the regular influx of commuters. These factors, as Cuomo argued through his spokesperson to The Post, demand a reassessment of whether congestion pricing would deliver its intended benefits without exacerbating existing economic woes.

As The Post report noted, Cuomo’s renewed visibility on this issue comes at a time when he is reportedly considering a political comeback, with a possible run for New York City mayor on the horizon. Cuomo resigned from the governorship in August 2021 amid multiple allegations of misconduct, though he continues to deny any wrongdoing.

His spokesperson Rich Azzopardi clarified Cuomo’s position, noting that while he still believes congestion pricing is “ultimately the right policy”, the timing and conditions must be carefully evaluated to ensure it does not hinder New York City’s recovery.

Hochul’s administration was quick to respond to Cuomo’s criticism. As The Post reported, Hochul spokesperson Avi Small shot back, highlighting Cuomo’s original role in passing congestion pricing legislation. Small remarked, “Drivers upset about paying a $9 toll when entering Manhattan should remember two things: Andrew Cuomo is the reason they’re paying a toll, and Kathy Hochul is the reason it’s 40% lower than originally envisioned.”

The reduction of the toll from the initially proposed $15 to the current $9 was framed by Hochul’s team as a compromise aimed at balancing revenue generation for the MTA with the financial pressures faced by commuters.

The congestion pricing plan, set to take effect on January 5, has become a political flashpoint. While supporters argue that it will reduce traffic congestion and provide much-needed funds for public transit improvements, opponents like Cuomo warn of unintended consequences for both commuters and the city’s economy.

As The Post report outlined, Cuomo’s opposition is not to the concept of congestion pricing itself but rather its timing and the absence of updated, data-driven studies to predict its impacts in today’s post-pandemic landscape.

Cuomo argued that the current economic and social conditions of New York City are vastly different from when the policy was first enacted, and implementing the toll now could jeopardize the city’s fragile recovery.

While Cuomo maintains that congestion pricing is “ultimately the right policy,” he insists that its timing is flawed and that the state needs a “data-driven study” to reassess its potential impacts. This about-face has drawn both support and sharp criticism, with opponents of the toll acknowledging Cuomo’s shift while reminding the public of his role in creating the policy in the first place.

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) welcomed Cuomo’s newfound skepticism but was quick to highlight his responsibility for the current situation. “It’s nice to see that now Cuomo recognizes what a bad idea congestion pricing is, but we won’t forget that he was the one who signed it into law just like the bail reform and sanctuary state policies that have made us less safe,” Malliotakis told The New York Post.

Hochul, who inherited the congestion pricing plan when she assumed office in 2021 following Cuomo’s resignation, has remained steadfast in her defense of the toll, albeit with significant adjustments. As noted by The Post, Hochul reduced the initial $15 congestion toll to $9 and later scrapped a proposed 25% surcharge on “gridlock alert” days following public backlash.

A spokesperson for Hochul fired back at Cuomo, accusing him of gubernatorial mismanagement during his time in office. “Governor Hochul took office in 2021 — two years after congestion pricing became law — and got to work fixing the mess she inherited at the MTA following a decade of gubernatorial mismanagement,” said Avi Small, Hochul’s spokesperson, in a statement to The New York Post.

Despite the adjustments, the toll remains a contentious issue, with many questioning whether it will truly alleviate traffic congestion and improve subway reliability, or if it will simply place an additional financial burden on commuters.

A recent Siena College poll, as highlighted by The Post, revealed that a majority of New Yorkers—51%—oppose the congestion pricing plan, with only 29% expressing support and 20% remaining undecided. This public skepticism underscores the policy’s unpopularity and the political risks associated with its implementation.

While transit advocacy groups, including the Regional Planning Association and the Partnership for the City of New York, remain vocal supporters of the toll, arguing it will reduce emissions and generate necessary funding for the MTA, critics see it as an undue financial strain on middle-class commuters.

Malliotakis, a fierce opponent of congestion pricing, took her concerns to a national level, appealing to President-elect Donald Trump for intervention. “I think there’s an avenue for President Trump to intervene and stop it,” Malliotakis said during an interview on WABC Radio’s “The Cats Roundtable.” She also referenced ongoing lawsuits challenging the policy, including one filed by New Jersey, expressing hope that judicial intervention might halt the toll before it takes effect.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which largely operates under the governor’s control, stands to gain billions in revenue from congestion pricing. According to The Post, these funds are earmarked for subway and infrastructure improvements, making the toll a critical component of the MTA’s financial strategy.

However, skeptics, including Cuomo, have raised questions about whether the revenue will be used efficiently and transparently. Additionally, Cuomo’s spokesperson Rich Azzopardi argued that without public confidence in subway safety and reliability, the fundamental premise of congestion pricing is undermined.

Safety concerns in the subway system remain one of the most frequently cited reasons for opposition to congestion pricing. As The Post reported, subway-related homicides have reached a 25-year high, with ten murders recorded this year. High-profile incidents, including the arson murder of a sleeping passenger allegedly committed by an undocumented migrant, have amplified fears about public safety and eroded trust in the city’s mass transit system.

Cuomo’s argument—that congestion pricing hinges on a safe and reliable subway system—resonates with many commuters who are hesitant to rely on public transit amid ongoing safety issues.

With congestion pricing set to launch in January, the issue has become a defining political debate for New York City and the state at large. Cuomo’s criticisms, Hochul’s steadfast defense, and Malliotakis’ federal appeals highlight the deep divisions surrounding the toll’s implementation.

Cuomo’s stance also carries potential implications for his rumored mayoral ambitions. As The Post has previously reported, Cuomo is considering a political comeback, and his opposition to congestion pricing could serve as a cornerstone of his platform should he choose to run for mayor of New York City.

Meanwhile, Hochul faces mounting pressure from both supporters and detractors to prove that the toll will deliver on its promises of reduced traffic and improved transit without further straining already burdened New Yorkers.

As January 5 approaches, the battle over congestion pricing shows no signs of abating. With lawsuits still pending, political rivalries deepening, and public sentiment largely opposed, the toll’s implementation could face further roadblocks in the weeks ahead.