Jim Walden for Mayor of New York City

Congestion Pricing

Note:  This is the ninth of a series of “special messages” on my plans as Mayor.

“This proposed tolling program remains a fundamentally flawed and unjust scheme to balance the MTA’s budget at the expense of hardworking [people].”

— Gov. Phil Murphy

As Mayor, I will put an immediate stop to congestion pricing.

For 20 years, New York City has debated congestion pricing, yet there has been insufficient study of viable alternatives. Governor Hochul’s decision to pause, revise, and ultimately sign the policy highlights its flaws.

Very little thought was given, if any, to seniors and the disabled, to public service employees (including police and firefighters transporting heavy gear), or to the downstream consequences to consumers (when the congestion tax is passed through to them) in a city that is already facing an affordability crisis. In many ways, the costs will be passed on to everyday consumers.

Also, the initiative was aptly named—it will increase congestion everywhere except within the “zone,” further burdening outer borough communities. This is a classic example of policies crafted for Manhattan’s benefit at the expense of other residents.

  • Planning for congestion pricing has been abysmal. It leaves drivers with extremely poor options:
  • Unsafe and unreliable subway systems.
  • No added parking facilities near zone entrance points.
  • No meaningful improvements in bus service.
  • Too many existing transit deserts.
  • Little coordination with emergency services that rely on transporting critical gear.

As mayor, I will put an immediate stop to congestion pricing. While I recognize the importance of reducing carbon emissions and traffic congestion, I will first commission a comprehensive study to explore better alternatives that rely on incentives rather than punitive measures. Should I decide to restart the program, it will only proceed with viable improvements and equitable policies in place.

Congestion-pricing supporters have waited for 20 years for it, and I know it is important to some for reasons beyond carbon and congestion. But we can all wait longer—to make sure we carefully study alternatives and, if there are none, make sure we enact smart and meticulously planned policies, especially for a policy that is this divisive and dislocating. We need to be mindful of what the voters want: a Siena College survey found that 64% of New Yorkers oppose congestion pricing. Forcing it on them, especially with the lack of planning and preparation, is simply not appropriate.

As Mayor, I commit to three things: 

  1. I will stop the congestion pricing program on my 1st day in office if it lasts that long.
  2. I will focus on improvements in public transit safety, reliability, and affordability before resuming any form of congestion pricing. This will include the construction of new garages in partnership with the private sector, with ample electric-vehicle charging facilities near subway and bus lines going into Manhattan.
  3. Although I will study alternatives to fund the MTA’s needs and to reduce carbon and congestion, I will never resume congestion pricing as long as subways remain unsafe.

This will be my policy as Mayor. You have it in writing. Hold me accountable.

Jim Walden,

Candidate for Mayor