Skip to content

Time to Call Your Legislators About Congestion Pricing

With mixed messages at best coming from Albany and time running out, state legislators need to hear from constituents who support congestion pricing.

With mixed messages at best coming from Albany and time running out, state legislators need to hear from constituents who support congestion pricing.

It’s clear that even in areas where pricing received unanimous support in the City Council, some state lawmakers are not getting the message. Here’s Bronx Assembly Member Ruben Diaz, Jr., via NY1:

“It’s just a bad approach where working class citizens of the city of New York are going to wind up having to pay either $8 or eventually a fare increase.”

If pricing passes, just 3.7 percent of those who live in Diaz’s district would pay the congestion charge. That leaves 96.3 percent to face more fare increases if pricing fails. Legislators like Diaz need to understand that, by voting against pricing, they will be responsible for increases in transit costs, and delays in improvements, which will be borne by nearly 100 percent of the working class citizens they represent.

This is the most important New York City transportation policy moment in decades. It’s worth a phone call.

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

Mamdani’s Housing Plan Builds On ‘City Of Yes’ — But It’s Thin on Taking on Parking Minimums

June 1, 2026

City Council Takes Another Swing at ‘Daylighting’ Bill to Ban Corner Parking

June 1, 2026

Monday’s Headlines: Feeding the Beast Edition

June 1, 2026

GAME ON: Mamdani Transport Plan For World Cup Is Gridlock Alert On Steroids

May 29, 2026

Mayor Mamdani Must Rein in Illegal E-Motos After Queensboro Bridge Tragedy: Experts

May 29, 2026
See all posts