MTA Steps Back from Modernization Agenda

By Idy Perl

As reported last week, Governor Hochul has officially canceled the congestion toll that was supposed to go into effect in Manhattan at the end of June.

The program faced backlash from many groups that believed the tax would just raise the prices of services and goods without actually solving the congestion issue. Unions for teachers and first responders also rallied to have the tax canceled so those workers don’t get taxed just for coming in and doing their job. 

But officials can never make everyone happy, and Hochul is now facing backlash from other groups for canceling the program, since the MTA was counting on its revenue, an expected $15 billion, to make necessary upgrades to the transit system. Lawmakers have yet to come up with an alternative plan to raise those funds. 

“Modernization and improvement projects like electric buses, accessible (ADA) stations and new signals will likely need to be deprioritized to protect and preserve the basic operation and functionality of this 100+ year old system,” MTA Chief Financial Officer Kevin Willens and General Counsel Paige Graves said in a joint statement.