Congestion Pricing Survives Pushback in New York City

Grassroots organizing and public pressure kept congestion pricing plan on track despite political opposition

Jan. 29, 2026 at 12:47pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

After New York Governor Kathy Hochul initially paused the implementation of congestion pricing in New York City in 2024, a grassroots campaign by transit advocates like the Riders Alliance helped galvanize public support and pressure the governor to ultimately move forward with the program. The organizing efforts, which included rallying in New York City and Albany, were crucial in overcoming political opposition and ensuring the congestion pricing plan was not permanently derailed.

Why it matters

Congestion pricing is seen as a key policy to reduce traffic, raise revenue for public transit, and address climate change in New York City. The successful implementation of the program, despite political challenges, demonstrates the power of community organizing to drive policy change even in the face of resistance from elected officials.

The details

In 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul initially paused the implementation of congestion pricing, citing concerns about affordability. However, transit advocacy groups like the Riders Alliance mobilized a grassroots campaign, organizing rallies in New York City and Albany to pressure the governor to move forward with the program. The advocates argued that while congestion pricing would impact some commuters, the benefits to the broader public through improved transit funding and reduced traffic congestion outweighed the costs. After facing sustained public pressure and the threat of legal action, Hochul ultimately decided to move forward with congestion pricing, reducing the initial toll from $15 to $9.

  • In June 2024, Governor Hochul paused the implementation of congestion pricing, sparking a public backlash.
  • Over the following weeks, transit advocates organized rallies in New York City and Albany to pressure the governor to reverse the pause.
  • By the end of the 2024 legislative session in late June, the advocates were able to prevent any alternative proposals that would have permanently scuttled congestion pricing.

The players

Riders Alliance

A grassroots transit advocacy group that organized community-based efforts to support the implementation of congestion pricing in New York City.

Governor Kathy Hochul

The Governor of New York who initially paused the implementation of congestion pricing in 2024 but later reversed course and moved forward with the program.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We got there. Mostly by mobilizing in Brooklyn and Queens, the largest counties in New York. Brooklyn has 21 assembly members. Queens has 18 out of a total of 150. So a lot of transit riders and a lot of legislators in those big counties.”

— Danny Pearlstein, Riders Alliance (Streetsblog)

“From the beginning it had been really battle-tested and every "i" and "t" dotted several times. It just worked. There was a tremendous investment by the MTA in making sure that would work, and it did, and it continues to work every day to the extent that there's no longer any polling on the topic. It is part of the furniture. It is not a live political controversy.”

— Danny Pearlstein, Riders Alliance (Streetsblog)

What’s next

With congestion pricing now firmly in place, transit advocates will continue to monitor the program's implementation and push for further improvements to New York City's transportation system.

The takeaway

The successful implementation of congestion pricing in New York City, despite initial political opposition, demonstrates the power of grassroots organizing and public pressure to drive policy change. This victory for transit advocates highlights the importance of community mobilization in shaping the future of urban transportation.