Regional Plan Association applauds Governor Andrew Cuomo and Director of Budget Robert Mujica for once again reiterating support for congestion pricing. We strongly agree that our transit system needs a dedicated revenue stream to fix and upgrade the system. Passing a comprehensive congestion pricing program must be a top priority for the Governor and the State Legislature in 2019.

It is also welcome news that the Governor intends to take a stronger role in making long-due reforms at the MTA. RPA has repeatedly called for institutional changes in order to deliver projects faster and at lower cost. Specifically, RPA has long called for addressing these areas at the agency in order to reduce costs on transit projects: cumbersome project delivery and procurement processes, political interference, lengthy environmental reviews, unrealistic budgets, and outdated work rules.

We look forward to hearing more about the Governor’s detailed proposals, and how they will accelerate implementation of Fast Forward and commuter rail modernization plans.

Finally, if the City is asked to contribute additional resources to our transit system, it will need greater flexibility to raise its own revenue, or need a say in how new revenues are spent.