Skip to content

Quinn Says MTA Troubles Show Why We Need Pricing

Care of the Observer Politicker comes this video from earlier today. Speaking at City Hall, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn turns around a question from a reporter on whether the MTA can be trusted with congestion pricing revenues, given that promised upgrades tied to the recent fare increase will be delayed. Quinn calls the MTA's actions "outrageous," and suggests the congestion pricing lock box will give the city more control over the transit agency.

Care of the Observer Politicker comes this video from earlier today. Speaking at City Hall, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn turns around a question from a reporter on whether the MTA can be trusted with congestion pricing revenues, given that promised upgrades tied to the recent fare increase will be delayed. Quinn calls the MTA’s actions “outrageous,” and suggests the congestion pricing lock box will give the city more control over the transit agency.

Said Quinn:

“To me, this is a strong reason why we need congestion pricing. It’s a reason why we need a separate, sustainable revenue stream targeted at capital expansion of mass transit in the City of New York … We need that money to go somewhere separate, where the MTA’s board is not the final and only authority over it.”

The Observer’s Azi Paybarah says Quinn is “optimistic” that pricing will get approval by the council.

Standing behind Quinn is the undecided Bill De Blasio. 

Photo of Brad Aaron
Brad Aaron began writing for Streetsblog in 2007, after years as a reporter, editor, and publisher in the alternative weekly business. Brad adopted New York'’s dysfunctional traffic justice system as his primary beat for Streetsblog. He lives in Manhattan.

Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.

More from Streetsblog New York City

Hit-and-Run School Bus Driver Kills 9-Year-Old Boy in South Williamsburg

May 1, 2026

MTA Prepares to Fund IBX Light Rail Without Feds After Trump Meddling

May 1, 2026

Opinion: Mamdani’s New Era For Bus Riders Starts With A Bold ‘Streets Plan’

May 1, 2026

Friday Video: How Robert Moses Cut Through Brooklyn And Queens

May 1, 2026

Friday’s Headlines: Super Speeders in the Times Edition

May 1, 2026
See all posts