Nixed NYC congestion toll prompts review of MTA capital programs

Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials announced yesterday that the agency will have to downsize plans for maintaining and improving New York City subways, buses and commuter-rail services as a result of New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s recent decision to halt New York City’s traffic congestion pricing plan.

The congestion pricing plan would have funded the MTA by charging motorists a toll to enter certain high-traffic areas of Manhattan.

Hochul’s decision “has serious implications for the MTA’s 2020-2024 capital program and likely other aspects of the agency’s financial condition,” MTA Chief Financial Officer Kevin Willens and MTA General Counsel Paige Graves said in a joint statement.

“The MTA cannot award contracts that do not have a committed, identified funding source. Until there is a commitment for funding the balance of the 2020-2024 Capital Program, the MTA will need to reorganize the program to prioritize the most basic and urgent needs,” said Willens and Graves.

In preparation for its next meeting, MTA’s board is evaluating what changes need to be made to the capital program, they said.