Governor Kathy Hochul has revived her controversial toll plan for Manhattan, which will charge drivers entering below 60th Street during peak hours. The $9 toll, reduced from the initial $15, aims to reduce traffic and fund infrastructure upgrades. The plan faces opposition, including from President-elect Donald Trump, and may encounter hurdles due to legal challenges.
Hochul Resurrects Manhattan Toll Plan
Governor Kathy Hochul has reignited a contentious plan to implement a toll of $9 on drivers entering parts of Manhattan below 60th Street during peak hours. The toll was previously set at $15 but has been reduced in response to public backlash. The plan aims to reduce traffic congestion and raise funds for essential infrastructure projects in the city.
2. Opposition from Donald Trump and Other Critics
President-elect Donald Trump has strongly opposed the toll plan, describing it as a tax that will hurt working people and hinder New York’s economic recovery. He has urged the incoming federal government to rescind approval for the plan, which could significantly impact drivers and local commuters.
3. Toll Plan’s Purpose and Benefits
The revenue generated from the tolls is expected to fund a $15 billion bond for improving New York’s ailing public transportation system, including bus and subway upgrades. These investments are projected to create thousands of jobs and help modernize the city’s infrastructure.
4. Political Implications and Pushback
While the plan has some support, particularly among city-based business organizations and mass transit advocates, it also faces significant political opposition. Suburban lawmakers, particularly Democrats from swing districts, are opposed to the tolls, viewing them as an undue burden on commuters.
5. Hochul’s Efforts to Lower the Toll
To address affordability concerns, Hochul has reduced the proposed toll from $15 to $9. She hopes this adjustment will make the program more acceptable to commuters while still generating much-needed funding for public transit improvements.
6. Legal and Federal Challenges Ahead
Despite Hochul’s renewed push for the toll plan, there are still potential obstacles. A lawsuit filed by New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy seeks to block the tolls, arguing that the federal environmental review process was flawed. A pending decision in this case could delay or derail the implementation of the toll program.
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