Gov. Kathy Hochul told the outlet Politico this week she will have a plan by the end of this year or early next year to fund the MTA, which had to cut $16.5 billion from its current capital budget due to the governor’s indefinite pause on congestion pricing.
That meant shelving elevators at 23 subway stations, new electric buses, subway cars and more. But still without a plan, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber seemed to hint Thursday at an unrelated event that there may be some backroom discussions.
What You Need To Know
- Gov. Kathy Hochul told the outlet Politico she will have a plan to fund the MTA by the end of this year or early next year, but may introduce it sooner to build momentum for it
- A source tells NY1 people close to the governor may be the ones suggesting she is floating a plan to exempt some city workers if she does unpause congestion pricing
- Hochul's office in a statement neither confirmed nor denied any reports, but said she is "exploring multiple options"
“Honestly, I just don’t think we're prepared to talk about negotiations," Lieber said. "Private conversations are underway."
But could those private conversations be about what the governor discussed this week, citing how London started its congestion toll at 5 pounds, gradually raising it? And reports that she is considering implementing the toll with exemptions for some city workers, a plan possibly stoked by people close to the governor, according to a source?
Her office, in a statement, said in part: "Governor Hochul believes a $15 daily toll is just too much for working people trying to get by in today’s economy. That’s why, as the governor has repeatedly said in public, she is exploring multiple options with legislative leaders to fund transit as the pause continues.”
While a modified plan would be welcome news to some New Yorkers, not everyone is on board.
"But what about the regular people that are not city workers? It’s going to affect them," Noel Martinez said. "Maybe a lower rate will help. But you know, if they keep it like that, it’s going to affect throughout the whole city, it’s going to affect the whole city financially."
Regardless, Lieber said he's just happy the governor is still focused on funding the MTA, whether it be through congestion pricing or another source.
"While we do have uncertainty related to the continuing pause, to me it's good news that the governor continues to focus on these issues and express her intention to resolve them timely," he said.
The current congestion pricing toll was expected to help the MTA raise $15 billion, so even if a modified plan is implemented, that would still leave the Legislature a funding gap to fill, and they must come up with funding for the MTA’s next five-year capital program, which is due next month.