On the final day of an annual political conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, New York lawmakers have been buzzing about the potential return of congestion pricing.

NY1 has learned that Gov. Kathy Hochul is mulling a decision to bring back the controversial tolling program, but lawmakers, union leaders and other stakeholders have mixed feelings about its revival.


What You Need To Know

  • NY1 has learned that Gov. Kathy Hochul is quietly calling lawmakers to say that she wants to reduce tolls for cars, trucks and other discounts across the board

  • For passenger cars entering Manhattan below 60th Street, the tax could be slashed from $15 to $9

  • Sources say a roughly 40% reduction of previously proposed fees would likely fall in line with the previously approved environmental review by the federal government — shielding New York from a possible legal challenge

“No, we don’t want it back at all,” Michael Mulgrew, president of the powerful United Federation of Teachers, said. He previously sued to halt the program.

“I don’t know if I agree with it, to be quite honest with you. I come from Queens and I know what my constituents feel and they are feeling the pressure of the possibility of congestion pricing,” Democratic City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said.

A push for a congestion pricing revival may be underway ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House.

NY1 has learned that Gov. Kathy Hochul is quietly calling lawmakers to say that she wants to reduce tolls for cars, trucks and other discounts across the board.

For passenger cars entering Manhattan below 60th Street, the tax could be slashed from $15 to $9.

Sources say a roughly 40% reduction of previously proposed fees would likely fall in line with the previously approved environmental review by the federal government — shielding New York from a possible legal challenge.

A modified plan also requires a green light from the Federal Highway Administration.

Sources say Hochul is considering raising the toll in future years. But some argue turning congestion pricing back on requires more compromise.

“I have disabled retirees. They cannot take public transportation. How is that going to affect them? So now again, we are penalizing the most vulnerable population. We have to stop that,” said Marianne Pizzitola, founder of the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees.

“If you didn’t hear what the people of the United States were saying on Tuesday, how tone deaf can you be? So now you’re going to make the workers pay again to an agency that is completely incompetent,” Mulgrew said.

After initially pulling the plug this summer, Hochul said the $15 toll was too pricey for working class New Yorkers. She received political pressure for what’s been described as a hasty decision.

“It would improve air quality, it would reduce congestion and it would raise the funds for essential transit infrastructure work that we know is needed,” said Lisa Daglian, executive director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA — which has three non-voting members on the MTA board.

Hochul faces lawsuits, both to turn the cameras on and keep them off.

While slated to raise billions for the MTA, lowering the tolls means the authority’s 2025 capital plan could include new taxes.

“Pause was temporary. She wanted a lower figure. I think that’s where her head is at, and we’re going to work with her to make sure that we can accomplish it,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Leiber told NY1 in San Juan earlier this week.

Supporters like Daglian say now is the time to start the program, especially since Trump has made it clear he is no fan of congestion pricing.

“The president-elect has said that he wants to terminate congestion pricing in his first week in office, which is why it’s so important that it’s already up and running when he takes his oath of office,” Daglian said.

Hochul previously said she will make a decision on the program’s fate by the year’s end.

The MTA did not return a request for comment.