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By: Krug Stillo
Nassau County Executive and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman is ramping up pressure on Gov. Kathy Hochul to temporarily halt New York City’s controversial congestion pricing toll as the ongoing Long Island Rail Road strike leaves hundreds of thousands of commuters scrambling for alternatives.
The NY Post reported that Blakeman called on Hochul to immediately suspend the $9 congestion pricing fee for drivers entering Manhattan’s central business district while the LIRR strike continues to cripple transportation across the region. According to the NY Post report, Blakeman argued that commuters who normally rely on the railroad should not be punished with additional tolls while being forced to drive into the city due to the labor stoppage.
The strike, which began after contract negotiations between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and several railroad unions collapsed, has halted service on the nation’s busiest commuter rail system for the first time in decades. Roughly 300,000 riders have been affected, with packed highways, overcrowded buses, and major delays spreading throughout Long Island and New York City.
The NY Post reported that Blakeman is also backing legislation introduced by New York State Assemblyman Ed Ra that would require congestion pricing tolls to be suspended whenever major transit systems like the LIRR, Metro-North, or New York City Transit experience strikes or major shutdowns. Blakeman said the state should not profit from commuters during what he described as a transportation emergency.
Blakeman, who has repeatedly criticized congestion pricing since its rollout, used the latest transit crisis to intensify his attacks on the program and Hochul’s leadership. The NY Post reported that he argued the toll unfairly burdens suburban residents, working families, and small business owners who already face high costs associated with commuting into Manhattan.
Hochul, however, has pushed back against calls to suspend the toll. According to the NY Post, the governor claimed federal regulations tied to congestion pricing make it difficult to temporarily pause the fee structure. Instead, Hochul encouraged commuters to work remotely where possible while emergency transportation measures are implemented.
The MTA has attempted to ease the crisis by adding limited shuttle bus services, increasing some regional transit options, and encouraging employers to allow remote work arrangements. Still, transit officials acknowledge the backup plans cannot fully replace the massive capacity normally handled by the LIRR every day.
At the center of the labor dispute are disagreements over wages, benefits, and healthcare costs. Union leaders are demanding larger raises to keep pace with inflation, while MTA officials insist their offers are fair and financially responsible. The NY Post also highlighted growing outrage over overtime costs tied to LIRR employees, with some workers reportedly earning massive overtime payouts amid the contract standoff.
The political fallout from the strike is quickly becoming a major issue in New York’s 2026 gubernatorial race.
