Gov. Hochul flip-flops on congestion pricing: Letters to the Editor — Aug. 22, 2024

The Issue: Gov. Hochul weighing bringing back congestion pricing after the November elections.

Gov. Hochul says she may want to revive the suspended congestion-pricing program, but only after the November elections (“Kat rethinks congestion,” Aug. 19).

If it is a good policy, why not implement it right now? If she thinks it is popular with constituents, then why delay?

The truth is that the majority oppose this proposal and see it for what it is — another tax on our already overburdened citizenry while the MTA wastes millions of dollars and thousands evade transit fares daily without consequence.

The best solution is to get the freeloaders who jump the turnstiles and board buses without paying to actually pay their fares; this will erase the $700 million shortfall. There is no need to burden the rest of us with the cost of this boondoggle. This is right, simple and fair.

Richard Rafal

Manhattan

Instead of implementing congestion-pricing the MTA should focus on the daily fare-beater. If all commuters paid the fare there would be no need for congestion pricing.

Every day when I take the bus, people are allowed to get a free ride, either by entering through the back door or simply by being waved on by the bus driver.

Ezra Ini, Queens

When are we going to accept the fact that congestion pricing has nothing to do with solving the congestion problem in Manhattan?

It is nothing more than a means for the MTA to raise more money to overcome its bloated budget and incompetent management. It will not relieve congestion.

Congestion in Manhattan is due to a number of factors: permanently closed major throughways, numerous bike lanes, oppressive parking regulations and pop-up dining venues.

Harvey Strickon

Great Neck

The governor thinks she has finally found a way to appease the MTA and the people that oppose congestion pricing entering New York, but don’t be fooled.

Albany could lower the charge to any figure, say $2, and then at any time in the future raise the toll just like it has done on the bridges and tunnels in the past.

Once the toll-takers get their foot in the door, there will be no turning back.

John Giriat

The Bronx

The Issue: President Biden’s late-night speech at the Democratic National Convention.

President Biden’s convention speech showed him to be a decent, patriotic family man. It also exposed a few of the president’s blind spots (“Welcome to the late late Joe,” Aug. 20).

Biden once again said America is getting better rather than going downhill. This is transparently untrue. This kind of flattery of the electorate shows that Democrats are not above manipulating reality like MAGA Republicans do.

Additionally, Biden’s “big heart” looks false when you consider the Israel-Hamas war in the Middle East, which has lead to the disproportionate slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza. Biden’s decent heart takes a nosedive here.

Kimball Shinkoskey

Woods Cross, Utah

Why was Joe bumped out of prime time? How do you take the president of the United States and tune him out?

All the compassion that Dems showed him on Monday was staged. There is little compassion in that party.

Mindy Rader

New City

Unless I missed it, Biden did not try to crash the convention and wrestle back the nomination from Vice President Kamal Harris, which is what former President Donald Trump wishfully predicted might happen.

Vin Morabito

Scranton, Pa.

Want to weigh in on today’s stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to [email protected]. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.