Gov. Kathy Hochul has gone full rabbit gap on her congestion-pricing tolls.
After a Jersey federal decide issued a ruling Monday that she and the MTA say leaves them free for a Jan. 5 go-ahead to begin the gouging, the gov smirked: “This can be a large win for commuters in each New York and New Jersey.”
A win for commuters? It’s the precise reverse.
On the Gothamite facet of the query, the $9 toll (already set to rise to $12 after which $15 over the subsequent six years) for drivers heading south of sixtieth Road in Manhattan will slam less-affluent outer-borough residents the toughest — amongst them cops, lecturers, firefighters and different suppliers of important providers.
Worse, by the MTA’s personal analyses, the plan will almost certainly improve site visitors in The Bronx and Staten Island (in different phrases, relocate the logjams exterior of wealthier Manhattan).
For Backyard Staters, the toll received’t simply slam commuters, but in addition discourage informal guests from coming into the town in any respect, which implies they received’t be spending their cash right here at eating places, outlets and theaters.
And this comes towards a backdrop of absolute fiscal irresponsibility from the MTA.
Some $252 million for subway intercoms that turned out to be mainly ineffective.
A roughly 4% fare hike in 2025 and one other hike in 2027.
A requirement for $1.27 billion for 435 new subway automobiles (at almost double the per-car worth of what Chicago paid for 400 new automobiles).
State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli simply weighed in with a blistering report how unhealthy the company is with money.
And if this toll is so nice for commuters, gov, why did you “pause” it again in June — after which, while you re-lowered the increase after Election Day, decrease it (for now) to $9?
Look, Hochul’s no dummy: She is aware of folks hate congestion pricing and that it serves no actual goal past funneling money to a bleeding MTA.
However fashionable Democrats don’t take care of large errors by reversing course.
As an alternative, they provide determined inversions of actuality: “Win for commuters” is her model of “the border is underneath management.”
It’s slimy and pathetic — and as soon as once more the folks bearing the brunt would be the common New Yorkers she claims to serve.
