Gov. Hochul sends message about congestion pricing benefits for NYC suburbs
NEW YORK — Gov. Kathy Hochul celebrated the renovation of a Putnam County Metro-North station Wednesday, presenting it as an example of the service upgrades suburban commuters can look forward to because of congestion pricing.
Starting on Jan. 5, drivers will be charged $9 to drive into Manhattan's Central Business District below 60th Street.
A new Siena College poll found that 56% of New York City residents and 60% of suburban residents oppose congestion pricing, margin of error 4.1%.
$3 million renovation completed at Garrison Metro-North station
Neither wind nor rain nor the gloom of a torrential downpour could keep Hochul from taking a victory lap at the newly renovated Garrison Metro-North station, then riding the train from Garrison to Manhattan.
"There has not been a major capital upgrade to this particular station since the late 1990s," Hochul said.
It was a moment to showcase the $3 million improvements, but also to send a message to suburban voters that congestion pricing will bring benefits.
Those who take the train in Garrison are represented by Congressman Mike Lawler, an ardent opponent of the tolling plan who is eyeing a challenge to Hochul in 2026.
"He's trying to appeal to a very small number of people to the detriment of the vast majority," Hochul said.
"I did ask Mike Lawler when he came to threaten me about congestion pricing, would you do something to help the MTA? I mean, we are 45 percent of the nation's mass transit riders, we get 17 percent of federal money. You're in the majority, sir, can you help us? Not a word," MTA Chair Janno Lieber said.
Opponents continue attacking congestion pricing
Meanwhile, congestion pricing was attacked from another front – Long Island lawmakers who are introducing legislation to put in place a financial control board to take over the finances of the MTA.
"For far too long, the MTA has been mismanaged. There has been fraud, waste, abuse, but yet continually, year after year, they come to Albany, hat in hand, saying give us more," said state Sen. Dean Murray.
Opponents still haven't given up hope of derailing congestion pricing. Next week, a Manhattan judge will hold a hearing on a motion to stay the program. If that happens, they'll pin their hopes on President-elect Donald Trump keeping a promise to kill the tolling plan after he gets sworn in.