Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Congestion Pricing

Sadik-Khan Set to Testify at City Hall

Streetsblog's Ben Fried reports live from this morning's City Council congestion pricing hearing: 

DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan is set to deliver testimony to the City Council Committee on State and Federal Legislation. Streetsblog got a copy of her prepared remarks, which include a few new pieces of information:

    • "The City is developing a way to obtain an EZPass via cash payment, so that option will not be limited to those with credit cards or bank accounts." Also, "the City is working on ways to ease the financial burden on low-income drivers."
    • The plan on the table requires only 25 cameras, compared to 300 that would have been necessary under the mayor's plan.
    • "We agree that more revenue from Port Authority tolls should be devoted to mass transit in the city." But even without altering the current proposal, "two-thirds of Holland and Lincoln Tunnel drivers will pay some or all of the congestion pricing fee. Revenue from these drivers will amount to $45 million a year, or 10% of total gross congestion pricing revenues."

The commissioner's remarks go on to address the Port Authority issue more fully:

There are still some questions to resolve on the issue of a greater Port Authority contribution to transit in New York. There is a legal issue with charging different prices to different groups of people, there is a political issue, because the Port Authority is a bi-state agency, and there is the policy question -- can the Port Authority again support the MTA capital program? It participated in the first MTA rebuilding program, from 1982-1986.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Tuesday’s Headlines: Valley of Political Death Edition

Did you see the new poll showing congestion pricing is really unpopular? Ignore it! Good times are coming. Plus other news in today's headlines.

April 23, 2024

Open Streets Groups Warn of Extra Red Tape to Run Events

Two weeks notice for hopscotch or a yoga class?

April 23, 2024

Monday’s Headlines: A Federal Case over Parking Edition

We're flicking our bicycle bell over a big scoop last week that no one picked up on...yet. Plus other news.

April 22, 2024

Hochul, Legislators Reach Toll Evasion Crackdown Deal

Higher fines for covering a plate and for not paying tolls are part of the budget deal inked on Saturday.

April 22, 2024

Behind the Scenes: How Gov. Hochul Got ‘Sammy’s Law’ Over the Finish Line

Opponents didn't want to put their name on a no vote for the life-saving measure.

April 22, 2024
See all posts