Stressing the impact that congestion pricing would have had on outer borough residents and small businesses, Assemblyman William Colton (D—Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Dyker Heights) is applauding New York Governor Kathy Hochul for having paused the start of the controversial congestion pricing plan, that would have imposed tolls on most drivers inside a large portion of Manhattan.

The plan, which has been moving forward despite objections from many in the boroughs outside Manhattan, was expected to begin on June 30, placing tolls on drivers on or below 60^th Street in the central business district as a way of reducing traffic, lowering emissions and also raising money for improving mass transit. Governor Hochul cited “unintended consequences” for her move.

“It is precisely those unintended consequences that most concern me so I am truly grateful to Governor Hochul for pausing congestion pricing,” said Assemblyman Colton. “She has shown real leadership and thoughtfulness in making this move. So many of my constituents – including many immigrant families -- and proprietors of small businesses across the outer boroughs, would be harmed by congestion pricing, because of the additional expense it would impose upon them as they go about their daily lives. Unlike Manhattan residents, for whom public transportation is just around the corner, many residents of the outer boroughs have to travel simply to get to the subway or bus lines that would take them into Manhattan, where they must go to work, visit doctors or spend time with family members. Making driving even more expensive for them – at a time when they are already struggling with inflation – would put an undue burden on them when they can ill afford it.”

The implementation of congestion pricing would have meant the imposition of tolls on cars and trucks entering the area of Manhattan below Central Park, except for those traveling solely on the FDR Drive or the West Side Highway/West Street, or entering the latter directly from the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel. Cars utilizing any other roadway, even for short distances, would have been assessed a daily charge of $15 between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. through 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays; trucks would have been charged between $24 and $36 for entering the area at those times, with a different fee structure imposed upon motorcycles, taxis and ride share vehicles. Lower tolls would have been imposed at other times.