NYCs new pollution report proves congestion pricing was a money grab all along: critics
Told you so!A new city report that found congestion pricing failed to reduce air pollution in Manhattan — as backers claimed it would — proves the $9 toll on drivers was just a “money grab” to fund mass transit, opponents argued Tuesday.The analysis released by the Department of Health found that the toll to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street did not reduce air pollution in the congestion zone, despite an 11% drop in car trips compared to before the tax was implemented.“Did congestion pricing affect air quality in the congestion relief zone? No,” the report said.Kathryn Freed, a Lower East Side resident and member of New Yorkers Against Congestion Pricing Tax, which sued the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to block the toll, said the report said nothing has changed in terms of pollution.“There hasn’t been any change.Supporters said there would be less pollution if traffic went down in Manhattan.
Apparently there’s no environmental benefit at all,” said Freed, a former state judge and councilwoman.“How can they say traffic went down but not air pollution?”At a press conference in January, Gov.Kathy Hochul boasted that “pollution is down more than 20% in one year” because of congestion pricing.Hochul initially paused congestion pricing in 2024, but then signed off on it after the November election and it went into effect in January 2025, overcoming opposition from President Trump and lawsuits.“It was all bullsh-t.
It was to put money in the MTA’s pocket,” said Vinnie DiMino, owner of the Sea Breeze Fish Market on Ninth Avenue, near the Lincoln Tunnel.“The report just proved it wasn’t about air pollution.It was all about transit.
It’s all a lie – the Democratic politicians lie.”He fumed, “I feel like I have been robbed.It cost me $50-$60 a day to go back and forth, in and out of the [congestion] zone for deliveries.
They are killing us.”The toll is scheduled to rise to $12 in 2028 and $15 in 2031.Manhattan res...