We have been there before. No celebration until the system is turned on on January 5th.
We were delighted that the two lawsuits led by Riders Alliance and the City Club of New York had the intended effect: they forced Governor Hochul to move forward with a solution.
The 40% lower fee is politically correct and will eventually deliver the funds needed for MTA capital investments, albeit in a slower trickle, but enough for the banks to bond the revenue stream. What is less clear is whether the $ 9 will be sufficient to change drivers behavior.
Judge Lewis Liman, who heard arguments in four lawsuits against the controversial plan in his federal courtroom Friday, declined a request for a preliminary injunction against it starting Jan. 5. A federal challenge is still being heard in Newark. And Judge Cathy Seibel in federal court in White Plains also denied a request for a preliminary injunction, brought by Rockland County and Orange County, to block congestion pricing.vetoed two injunctions to stop the program this week. Now there is only one significant hurdle left with a New Jersey Lawsuit still pending.
Fingers crossed.