In 2019, New York State passed the nation’s first-ever central business district traffic congestion plan for New York City. Vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street were to be assessed as much as $15 during peak hours.

People who lived inside the district and those with incomes under $60,000 were eligible for tax credits, and vehicles carrying disabled individuals were exempt. In addition to providing relief to America’s most congested city, the plan was designed to provide the Metropolitan Transportation Authority $1 billion a year to renovate and repair New York’s subways and buses.

The pandemic delayed the implementation of congestion pricing. In spring 2023, it was estimated that the tolls would reduce the number of cars and trucks entering the central business district by 15 to 20 percent (110,000 to 143,000 vehicles). After pointing out that they would also reduce air pollution, provide the MTA with much-needed funds and reduce travel time for commuters, Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) declared that congestion pricing policies would be put into effect in about a year.

But on June 5, a few weeks before congestion pricing was set to start, Hochul — an unpopular........

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