Fed up with the city's subways, mass transit advocates say Governor Andrew Cuomo needs to move forward on congestion pricing now.
"We are afraid that it's, they are going to do two, three things and then put it on the shelf and then not do it, and so we want to seize the momentum to really make sure it's happening," said advocate Christine Berthet.
Dozens brought their frustrations with lackluster subway service to the governor's Manhattan office.
"The 7 train, every other day, it's constantly delayed, it's breaking down, it's not running at all," said one person at the demonstration.
Leaders urged Cuomo to start funding congestion pricing proposed in this year's spending plan.
"With less than two weeks before the budget is due, pass congestion pricing so we'll have the money we need to fix the subway," said John Raskin, executive director of Riders Alliance.
"I say to Governor Cuomo and I say to our leadership in Albany, we cannot wait another year," said another person at the demonstration.
The governor's plan would charge drivers entering Manhattan south of 60th Street. Private cars would pay $11.52. Trucks would pay $25, while taxis and other for-hire vehicles could see a surcharge between $2 and $5.
The goal is to discourage people from driving into Manhattan and to raise money to rehabilitate the subway system.
Drivers say it is not fair.
"Why me, the driver who doesn't even go in the subway?" said driver Junior Sankar. "It doesn't even make sense."
Sankar says he hauls too much equipment to take mass transit.
Others drivers say it's an unnecessary burden.
"I think it will be a tremendous burden on people who have to pay the extra money with the tolls being so high already," said one driver.
Even some demonstrators seem to think the plan is flawed.
"Congestion pricing seems to be like another tax on the poor where people who have money will still drive in," said one person at the demonstration.
But advocates say it's the best overall option to address traffic-clogged streets and an ailing transit system.
"Because of the expansion of Uber and all these other for-hire vehicles, it's not the same New York anymore," said Eddie Bautista of the NYC Environmental Justice Alliance. "It's really gotten to the point where we have to examine how to leave cars behind."
The governor was not here during the demonstration. He was in Albany. Most of his plan would need the approval of the state legislature to move forward.