On Sunday, June 16th, Richard Davey, the outgoing head of New York City Transit, expressed concerns about the potential repercussions of pausing the congestion pricing plan, which was expected to finance $15 billion in mass transit upgrades. This pause, ordered by Governor Kathy Hochul, could significantly impact the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) ability to maintain and improve the city’s subway system.
Davey, who stepped down as NYC Transit President to become CEO of the Massachusetts Port Authority, warned that without the anticipated funds from congestion pricing, the MTA would have to “ruthlessly prioritize” its projects to prevent the subways from deteriorating. He compared the potential situation to the “summer of hell” in 2017 when severe service disruptions plagued the subway system. “Over time, if it’s not addressed, then you’re just going to expect to see a slowing of the reliability,” Davey said.
The MTA currently has $28 billion worth of projects in its capital plan but only about $13 billion left to spend. This funding gap means that critical projects, such as the Second Avenue subway extension into East Harlem, could face delays. The extension received a $3.4 billion federal grant last year, which requires the MTA to contribute an additional $4.3 billion. Without the congestion pricing revenue, such commitments become uncertain.
Davey’s departure and the pause on congestion pricing have caused considerable shock and disappointment among MTA officials and transit advocates. Governor Hochul’s decision was described as a “total shock” by Davey, highlighting the unexpected nature of the announcement. The move was justified by Hochul based on economic concerns and the impact on New York City’s recovery.
In response, local transit advocates have pledged to challenge the governor’s decision, potentially taking legal action. Michael Gerrard, a Columbia University law professor, argued that Hochul does not have the authority to reverse state law, which established congestion pricing in 2019. “We believe Governor Hochul has violated several state laws and we are preparing lawsuits to ask the courts to reverse her decision,” Gerrard stated.
The Federal Highway Administration recently gave final approval for the congestion pricing plan despite the pause. The MTA remains committed to the plan, emphasizing its benefits for reducing traffic, improving health, and increasing investment in mass transit.
The MTA board, set to meet on June 26th, could independently implement congestion pricing, regardless of the governor’s stance. However, if the board does not proceed, legal challenges from transit advocates are likely to ensue.
