Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Transit Funding

Tuesday’s Headlines: Still Talking Congestion Pricing Edition

Congestion pricing was in the news again, thanks to the Times's follow-up on our original reporting about the tiny increase in truck traffic that The Bronx may experience if the MTA doesn't set the proper toll and additionally mitigate trucks

The article wasn't bad, for what it was, but it missed a number of things, which the "Congestion Pricing Now" coalition pointed out in a statement:

“The New York Times article failed to point out that without congestion pricing, the public transit system that New Yorkers rely on — especially lower- and middle-income New Yorkers — will deteriorate, air quality will worsen, and traffic will continue to choke our city," the statement said.

Speaking of the beneficiaries of congestion pricing, opposing Council Member Bob Holden had a supremely bad take on Twitter yesterday, comparing the MTA to a trust fund kid who is always borrowing money from you — yeah, except that no trust fund kid holds the entire regional economy in his hands nor do trust fund kids tend to favor investing in transit on behalf of every day working class New Yorkers.

Republican gubernatorial hopeful Lee Zeldin took made the same anti-congestion pricing pitch, blaming MTA "waste" and also repeating the lie that congestion pricing will hurt low-income people the hardest. In fact, it will boost public transit, which is disproportionately used by lower-income residents (NY Post). And Politics NY covered the presser with Holden and Co.

In other news:

    • Ross Barkan had a great take on the brain drain from the Adams administration: The mayor doesn't think it's a big deal because he has no actual agenda that he needs the workers to carry out.
    • Workers hired to clean subway trains during Covid hope to be retained. (The City)
    • It's nice to see a city take on the noise of cars and trucks. Hint: It isn't exceptional New York. (Politico)
    • How about a half-priced ferry ride for students? (amNY)
    • We couldn't help but notice Manhattan Council Member Julie Won's tweet about how she visited the Queensboro Bridge with DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez as well as staffers from Council members Selvena Brooks-Powers's and Julie Menin's offices, so we asked if the pols had persuaded the agency to accelerate its timeline so that pedestrians and cyclists will no longer be endangered on the overcrowded, narrow, two-way walking and biking lane. No such luck: DOT told us the current delayed timeline — the end of 2023 — is still in place.
    • John Oliver told the truth about "Law & Order." (Last Week Tonight)
    • Our colleague Arthur Chi'en spotted what appears to be magic — but is really just a scofflaw with a louvered plate cover, one that was very similar to one that the aforementioned Holden spotted last year:
    • Finally, Friend of Streetsblog Tony Melone was excited that he was featured to be featured (anonymously) in Ginia Bellafante's solid Times column in support of congestion pricing:

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Construction Begins On Deliverista Hub Highlighting Need For More Infrastructure

It's one small hub for a few humans, but what's needed is a giant leap for humankind.

August 6, 2025

It’s Back! 34th Street Busway Revived In Midtown Rezoning Deal

The Adams administration has agreed to create a 34th Street busway as part an agreement to rezone a slice of Midtown.

August 6, 2025

SQUEEZED: Welcome to the Newly Unsafe Bedford Avenue ‘Bike Lane’

Bike riders are now endangered by parked cars and fast-moving traffic between Willoughby and Flushing avenues, as drivers revert to doing ... exactly what they had been doing.

Eric Adams May Veto Grocery Delivery Minimum Wage that Eric Adams Championed

A 2022 report from the former Democrat promised to expand labor protections to more app delivery workers, but he won't commit to supporting Council bills trying to do just that.

August 6, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines: Blow Canada Edition

Wow, something is really putrid in the air over New York City, and it's not the hometown ball clubs. Plus other news.

August 6, 2025

OPINION: Actually, Amazon’s Cargo E-Bikes are Good!

Amazon’s e-cargo bikes alleviate the need for delivery vans and reduce traffic collisions. They also look rad.

August 5, 2025
See all posts