FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 30, 2024
New York Building Congress and Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA Debunk Myths about Congestion Pricing in New Report
New York, N.Y. (July 30, 2024) — Today, the New York Building Congress (NYBC) and the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC) released their new joint report, “A Billion Dollars a Myth – 15 Facts: One for Each Billion Lost Without Congestion Pricing.”
By debunking 15 myths about congestion pricing with clear data showing the truth, the report compels leaders in New York to take action and implement congestion pricing no later than Dec. 1, 2024. The congestion pricing program will bring financial stability to the MTA, create thousands of jobs, reduce costly and unproductive time stuck in traffic, and provide significant environmental and health benefits. New York City and the entire region cannot afford to wait any longer; the time to implement congestion pricing is now.
“New York’s future growth depends on our ability to invest wisely and act decisively. The delay in congestion pricing has already resulted in an estimated $82 million in lost toll revenue, essential for funding critical MTA capital improvements,” said Carlo A. Scissura, Esq., President and CEO of the New York Building Congress. “This setback has led to the cancellation of crucial projects that millions of New Yorkers rely on. It is imperative that we implement congestion pricing promptly to secure necessary funding and prevent further deterioration of our transit infrastructure. By working creatively and collaboratively with partners in City Hall, Albany and Washington, we can ensure a reliable and equitable transit system and build a stronger, fairer New York for all.”
“Today we should be celebrating one month since the start of congestion pricing and the many benefits it will bring to our region — cleaner air, less traffic and funding for critical transit infrastructure,” said Lisa Daglian, Executive Director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA. “Instead, millions of daily transit riders were left in the lurch with the sudden pause, with tens of millions of dollars on the table, more than 200,000 tons of carbon spewing into our air, and hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk. MTA riders and builders agree: the pause on congestion pricing can’t end soon enough. Our 15 facts help dispel many of the bad-faith arguments being made by pro-traffic fans, and more recently by Governor Hochul. Subway, bus, LIRR, and Metro-North riders have waited long enough for accessibility at subway and LIRR stations, signal upgrades that increase frequency and reliability, resiliency work on the Hudson line, and for new buses and train cars to at last put ancient rolling stock out of its misery. It’s time to follow the law and unpause the pause.”
Key facts from the report include:
Congestion pricing will not hurt low-income New Yorkers
- Of the 1.5 million people working in the Central Business District, 86% take public transit.
- Only 1% of drivers into the Central Business District have incomes under $50,000, and they would receive a partial exemption from the toll.
- On average, car commuters to Manhattan have 25% higher incomes than transit riders.
Congestion pricing is crucial to the economic growth in New York
- Estimates show more than 57,000 prevailing wage jobs will be created by the capital projects reliant on congestion pricing revenue.
- The MTA’s capital plan supports New York jobs in every Congressional and state Senate district, as well as 148 out of 150 Assembly districts, by paying New York State companies over $30 billion for goods and services since 2014.
There is no alternative to congestion pricing and, if it does not resume, New Yorkers and the MTA will irrevocably suffer
- Pausing congestion pricing jeopardizes $9.9 billion in Federal Transportation Administration funds allocated for 95 approved MTA projects.
- No proposed funding alternative accomplishes the three core goals of congestion pricing: reducing traffic; improving air quality – while providing funding for mitigation in Environmental Justice communities; and raising critical funding for transit improvements.
- Every dollar spent on transit generates four dollars in economic benefits for New York City.
- Projects like the Second Avenue Subway extension to East Harlem and ADA accessibility upgrades will not be possible without funds from congestion pricing.
- Public support for congestion pricing increases significantly after implementation, as seen in other cities, such as London and Stockholm
“When Governor Hochul halted congestion pricing last month, she single handedly deprived millions of subway and bus riders of $15 billion worth of transit improvements like more frequent trains, new subway lines, faster buses and greater accessibility — and she also violated two state laws and the state constitution,” said Comptroller Brad Lander. “If her action is not reversed, hard-working New Yorkers on their way home after a long day, will experience increasing service cuts, gridlock, air quality alerts, and inaccessible stations. I’m grateful to New York Building Congress and PCAC for publishing A Billion Dollars a Myth to help ensure New Yorkers have a fighting chance at the world-class public transit, reduced traffic, and better air quality we all deserve.”
“With so much on the line—our climate, our transit system, the safety of our streets and the quality of our air—we can’t afford to traffic in myths,” said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. “Congestion pricing represents a generational opportunity to build a transportation system that New Yorkers need and deserve. This crucial new report from PCAC and the New York Building Congress makes the truth plain to see: each day that passes is a missed opportunity to reduce emissions and build a stronger, fairer economy. It’s time to face facts and take action.”
“I’m grateful to the New York Buildings Congress and the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA for their much-needed report correcting myths and false talking points that have been circulating about congestion pricing,” said State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal. The truth is congestion pricing is the only plan of its kind that is bold enough to address the myriad of issues that New Yorkers are currently facing and that will only worsen with time if we fail to act. I still believe, as I did when I voted to support congestion pricing 5 years ago, that this policy is our best hope to address traffic problems in Manhattan, reduce pollution across the city, and provide the improvements to our public transit system that it so desperately needs.”
“Every day without congestion pricing implemented is a loss for our community,” said Council Member Erik Bottcher. “Not only is there major financial cost, but New Yorkers continue to be burdened with the negative impact of vehicle congestion – air pollution, traffic injuries, noise pollution, and more. New York City cannot wait any longer for congestion pricing, and I am proud to stand with my colleagues at the New York Building Congress and PCAC to advocate for this critical investment into our transit system.”
“Congestion pricing is too important to the future of our region for myths and misinformation to prevail over facts,” said Assembly Member Emily Gallagher. “Here’s the hard truth: not a single viable alternative has been put forward to achieve the goals of reducing traffic, mitigating air pollution, and funding mass transit that congestion pricing promised. It’s time for Governor Hochul to do the right thing for the people of New York and let this long-planned policy finally move forward.”
“Congestion pricing is a generation-defining policy,” said Assembly Member Tony Simone. “It would have brought our transit system into the 21st century with monumental capital improvements, improved the health of our communities by reducing pollution, and made our streets safer for everyone by getting cars off the road. The facts are clear: without the funding from congestion pricing, our transit system will continue to deteriorate as the MTA scrambles just to cover state-of-good-repair improvements, with no solution for the critical capital projects that have screeched to a halt as a result of the Governor’s decision. Not only that, good paying jobs have disappeared, and the economic activity that congestion pricing would have sparked is gone. We have a solution for pollution, for street safety, for transit improvements: it’s called congestion pricing. We need it desperately, and we need it now.”
“Congestion pricing was set to improve commutes for millions of New Yorkers, clean our air, and get thousands of cars and trucks off our streets each day. Yet, Governor Hochul’s reckless decision to cancel the program fails New Yorkers,” said Elizabeth Adams, Interim Co-Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. “Today’s report from the New York Building Congress and PCAC sets the record straight: Congestion pricing will benefit the overwhelming majority of New Yorkers and there is no replacement program for the jobs it funds, air it cleans, and time it will save commuters. Governor Hochul: Start congestion pricing now.”
“Myths ranging from regressive economic burdens to a lack of post-pandemic recovery in the CBD cost us not only billions every year in crucial transit funding and productivity, but they also limit our ability to reduce emissions, costly travel times, and provide the system upgrades MTA riders need,” said Dr. Sam Bowden Akbari, Director of Communications at Regional Plan Association (RPA). “Thanks to the PCAC and NY Building Congress, the record is set very straight. There is simply no good reason to delay this vital transit/climate policy another single day. Doing so threatens not only the MTA Capital Plan, but the environmental, health, and economic wellbeing of our city and region. We call on Governor Hochul to unpause the pause today.”
“Myths lead to gridlock and pollution. But the truth is simple: congestion pricing is essential to the region’s environment and economy,” said Andy Darrell, Senior Advisor of the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). “We thank PCAC and the NY Building Congress for making the benefits of congestion pricing to all New Yorkers clear. For the sake of communities throughout the region, improved air quality, reduced traffic and necessary funding for transportation upgrades and repairs, congestion pricing must be turned on.”
“We thank PCAC and the NY Building Congress for setting the record straight about congestion pricing and showing the clear benefits to NY workers and commuters — the vast majority of whom are transit riders,” said Rachael Fauss, Senior Policy Advisor for Reinvent Albany. “The longer riders wait for subway, bus, and commuter rail improvements, the more they are going to cost, and the more jobs that will be on hold. The Governor must flip the switch and get $15 billion in funds flowing into the NY economy.”
“Congestion pricing is a win-win-win-win for traffic, transit, the environment and New York’s economy,” said Danny Pearlstein, Riders Alliance Policy & Communications Director. “Thanks to the New York Building Congress and PCAC for clarifying some of the biggest misconceptions in the city and state right now. Stopping congestion pricing before it started was a mistake but Governor Hochul has led on this issue before and she can do so again. For New York’s future, the governor needs to flip the switch, study the impacts and refine the program as needed.”
“We cannot drive ourselves out of the climate crisis and congestion pricing is a game-changer for New York City. By cutting traffic congestion and boosting public transportation, we can slash emissions, clean our air, and create a sustainable future,” said Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters. “Myths and misinformation cannot prevail; it’s time to put our environment and residents first.”
A full copy of the report can be found here: A Billion Dollars a Myth
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About The New York Building Congress
The New York Building Congress, a broad-based membership association celebrating its 103rd year, is committed to promoting the growth and success of the construction industry in New York City and its environs. Learn more about the New York Building Congress at www.buildingcongress.com.
About the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA
As trusted advisors to the MTA, the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC) regularly researches issues, recommends viable solutions, and advocates on behalf of the region’s subway, bus and Staten Island Railway riders, and Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad commuters. Learn more about the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA at www.pcac.org.