Gov. Hochul Refuses to Accept Messages from Constituents Who Lost Loved Ones in Traffic, Cannot Access the Subway Due to Lack of Elevators, on What Should Be First Weekday of Congestion Pricing

The number of miles traveled by cars and trucks in New York City is at record highs, up 16% from 2014, making New York the most congested city in the world.

After a congestion toll was implemented in London, fatal crashes declined 27%.

Plans to make 38 subway stations accessible to people with disabilities are on hold. 

Every day, more than 900,000 people drive into the congestion relief zone. Congestion pricing was set to cut traffic by 17%.

NEW YORK — Today, on what was supposed to be the very first weekday with congestion pricing, a New Yorker with a disability and the mother of a child killed in a traffic crash in the congestion zone joined Transportation Alternatives to deliver constituent messages, along with thousands of toy cars, to Governor Kathy Hochul’s Midtown office in protest of her decision to “pause” the program. The messages were from those personally affected by unsafe streets, poor air quality, snail’s pace buses, and inaccessible subway stations. Governor Hochul’s staff rejected them at the door. 

Those delivering the messages and toy cars included Agustina Cano, whose son was killed by a car in the congestion zone, and Michael Ring from Disabled in Action of Metropolitan New York. Governor Hochul’s staff refused to accept the messages from her constituents or meet with them — despite her public schedule stating she is in New York City and staff in the office fielding phone calls.

With congestion pricing, it was estimated that 17% fewer vehicles would enter the congestion relief zone. Because of the governor’s “pause” on the program, cars will continue to flood New York City, the most congested city in the world. Subway accessibility improvements will be canceled. The anticipated decline in traffic crashes, modeled on a 27% decline in fatal crashes after a congestion toll was implemented in London, will not occur. 

The toy cars were purchased by hundreds of New Yorkers opposed to the congestion pricing pause and will later be donated to a children’s charity for redistribution.

“When Governor Hochul paused congestion pricing, she doomed New Yorkers to a city overrun by car traffic — and the endless pollution, crashes, and snail-paced bus trips that all those cars cause. So today, we tried to give Governor Hochul exactly what she wants: more cars — along with dire messages from her constituents in need of clean air and accessible transportation. We were shocked and dismayed that her office refused to even accept their pleas,” said Elizabeth Adams, interim co-executive director of Transportation Alternatives. “New Yorkers who are furious with Governor Hochul chipped in to buy these toy cars because her decision affects so many New Yorkers — those with asthma, who need an elevator to get on the subway, whose bus commute takes an hour or more, whose train commute is made unpredictable by signal delays, who lives on an unsafe street filled with unending car traffic. We are here today to tell Governor Hochul: Save congestion pricing.”

"Two years ago, my 21-year-old son Andy was crossing Houston Street on his way home from work when he was killed by a speeding driver. My family and I have felt the horror and confusion of his tragic death every day since. Andy was a loving son, an amazing brother, a brilliant artist and so much more, and all of that was lost on that tragic day,” said Families for Safe Streets member Agustina Cano. “Congestion pricing has been proven to prevent traffic violence: cities that have implemented it have seen a reduction in crashes of up to 40%. Governor Hochul must implement this life-saving program today to prevent more crashes that senselessly injure and kill New Yorkers."

“I hope Congestion Kathy shares these toys with all her constituents, so we’ll have something to do while we’re stuck in traffic, waiting for an elevator to be installed at a subway station, or running late as our buses crawl through the worst traffic traffic congestion in the world,” said Michael Ring from Disabled in Action of Metropolitan New York. “Congestion pricing was set to deliver an accessible, reliable transit system — and instead of following through with her commitment, Governor Hochul would rather keep New York City from having cleaner air, better transit, and safer streets.”

Some of the messages from her constituents that were rejected by Governor Hochul today include: 

“My disabled daughter and I use public transport all the time to get around town. Mostly buses because there aren't enough elevators at subway stations. So thanks very much (NOT!) for making sure buses will continue to run at snail’s pace and New York continues to ignore its legal obligations according to ADA.” – Oliver B.

“Dear Governor: My wife is 8 months pregnant. We live in the congestion zone. We were hoping and praying for congestion pricing because pollution and congestion are bad where we live, and we wanted our son to have a lower risk of asthma or getting hit in a crosswalk. When it was delayed we were crushed. Please reconsider.” – J.M.

“I work in Midtown every day, the situation is untenable. Foul air, angry drivers, loud noises. You need to get your act together and do the right thing for New Yorkers. Being in charge is about making the tough choices for the greater good.” – Hadrien D.

“I take the subway to work every morning, yet signal problems, delays, and train breakdowns mean my commute is disrupted at least once a week. Our subway system is falling apart, and it needs congestion pricing.” – Martin B.

“I live in Queens; I ride the subway and LIRR to work and rely on both for recreation in the city as well. Once when I was on crutches, I realized how inaccessible the system is for people with mobility issues and was happy to hear congestion pricing was going to provide money for essential construction that would make more stations accessible and extend service to more stops.” – Vimala P.