Press Mention

Congestion pricing for taxi, for-hire cars

Queens Chronicle

April 05, 2018

New York City’s agreement to split $836 million in subway upgrades with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will jumpstart the state’s Subway Action Plan, but all sides still recognize the need to find a steady new revenue stream for the trains.

But what Gov. Cuomo is calling phase one of a congestion pricing plan for Midtown and Downtown Manhattan does not go far enough for many transportation and environmental advocacy groups, and is being pilloried by the taxi industry as going way too far.

The Citizens Budget Commission’s statement also said the plan falls short.

“New surcharges will be placed on trips made by taxis and for-hire vehicles in New York City’s central business district, but the can will be kicked down the road on a fuller congestion pricing plan to reduce traffic and provide a significant long-term revenue source,” the group wrote. “Instead, to increase short-term revenues, the City of New York will be forced to provide $418 million for the Subway Action Plan or have its sales tax revenues withheld — even though New York City taxpayers pay the overwhelming majority of MTA taxes and subsidies.

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