The following is attributed to Kate Slevin, Executive Vice President for RPA:
Today, the MTA Board of Directors will be voting on the next Capital Program from 2025-2029.
The MTA has outlined vital investments, such as track repairs, new rail cars, electric buses, elevators, and other repairs to the infrastructure needed to move the millions of New Yorkers and regional commuters throughout the city. The capital program also includes the Interborough Express (IBX) which will provide new, desperately needed light rail service for 900,000 people who live along the 14 mile route connecting Brooklyn and Queens.
But many of these much-needed investments won’t happen unless we have revenue from congestion pricing. Governor Hochul needs to unpause the pause on congestion pricing and put New Yorkers first. Congestion pricing was set to provide a permanent, consistent funding stream to progress transit maintenance and advancements while managing traffic and improving air quality. This pause has forced the MTA to play a game of hot potato with our transit system, trading-off between prioritizing system repair and necessary technological upgrades.
We applaud the MTA for outlining the projects to keep the region moving in their 2025-29 capital plan, and urge Governor Hochul to unpause the congestion pricing program. Today’s MTA vote coincides with NYC Climate Week - and the worst traffic we have ever seen in Midtown - and the state is moments away from implementing the best initiative to preserve our climate, sustain our city, and invest in New Yorkers. The time to unpause congestion pricing is now.
