New York Governor Kathy Hawkle announced she was halting the implementation of the controversial congestion charge just 25 days before it was set to go into effect, an announcement that drew immediate and passionate reactions from residents of Hell's Kitchen. “I have directed the MTA to suspend the congestion charge indefinitely,” Hawkle announced Wednesday morning.
The plan, which was set to take effect on June 30, would have imposed a $15 toll on cars entering Manhattan below 60th Street during peak hours, with the money raised to help the struggling MTA and also to ease congestion on the city's roads.
In a pre-recorded speech, Mr Haukle said introducing congestion pricing risked having “too many unintended consequences”.
“The idea behind congestion pricing is to encourage many current drivers to switch to public transportation, but there is now a third possibility that poses a greater threat,” she said. “Drivers can now choose to stay home entirely,” and “I cannot further burden working- and middle-class New Yorkers or create further obstacles to our continued recovery.”
Haukl's last-minute change of policy has already drawn strong criticism from local transport activists.
Charlie Todd, a comedian and Citi Bike rider who lives in Hell's Kitchen, called Hawkle's decision “really disappointing.”
“There was an ozone pollution alert yesterday,” Todd said. “Congestion pricing means cleaner air in our neighborhoods, quieter and safer roads, better public transportation and less congestion for those who drive.”
State Assemblyman Tony Simone echoed Todd's comments, calling congestion pricing “a generation-defining policy that will fit our transportation system for the 21st century” in a press release.
Simone wrote about Gov. Hockle's decision: “We must not succumb to pressure from other governors, or from convicted former President Donald Trump, to immediately halt congestion pricing.”
In contrast, business owners expressed a different opinion, praising the governor's decision.
“I'm very happy,” said Charlie Marshall, owner of farm-to-table restaurant The Marshall. “We rely on business luncheons and Broadway theatergoers, especially in New York City, where there are a lot of absentees who are in the city less than half the time. If congestion pricing were implemented, it would kill commuter and theater business. I hope this extension is permanent.”
Steve Olsen, owner of West Bank Cafe on W42ST, said, “This is great news. Nobody likes congestion pricing. Delivery companies will add the congestion fee to every delivery (just like they still charge a fuel fee even though gas prices have gone down over the past two years). This will hit local tourism the hardest. Plus, projects like this rarely accomplish their goal of improving public transportation.”
Governor Hawkle's last-minute decision leaves Hell's Kitchen wondering: What will happen to the 100-plus speed cameras that have been installed in the city since last year at a cost of more than $500 million? One W42ST reader addressed that very issue on Instagram, writing, “All those signs and toll booths that were installed. A waste of money and resources if they end up not being used.” We called the used camera division at B&H Cameras to get an estimate on the resale value of the items. We'll update this article if they respond.
Comedian Christy Miller posted a comment on Instagram supporting Hoffle's decision. “Yeeeaaaah!!!!! I'm all for green living but that's not the answer,” she wrote. “Small businesses in the area would have gone under, prices would have skyrocketed, and out-of-towners would have stopped coming to Broadway shows, restaurants, etc. Yaaay.”
