Statement attributable to Kate Slevin, Executive Vice President of Regional Plan Association.

Today, the MTA, once again, has the monumental opportunity to take the final steps towards the implementation of congestion pricing. Regional Plan Association (RPA) urges the MTA Board to approve congestion pricing.

Congestion pricing will reduce congestion on our streets, which are suffering from record-slow traffic speeds; provide dedicated and predictable funding for the MTA’s capital program; and improve the air quality of neighborhoods that have long suffered the brunt of heavy traffic and pollution.

As our region increasingly feels the impacts of climate change, antiquated public transportation systems, and the direct public health consequences of poor air quality from transportation--the time to act is now. Congestion pricing is an ongoing critical investment in one of the region’s most important drivers of economic development, sustainability, and opportunity: the MTA.

RPA will continue to support the implementation of the program and looks forward to a transparent and efficient pathway to ​“flipping the switch” on January 5th, 2025. Once it is turned on, the program must be monitored and tracked and results must be shared with the public. It will be up to the MTA to ensure promised benefits are realized.