Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space

"Congestion pricing in NYC. In January I wrote that the introduction of congestion pricing in NYC was already the biggest ground transportation story of the year (" The most momentous transportation story of 2025 has already occurred: imposition of NYC's congestion zone"). Basically the results are in (" New York's Congestion Pricing Is Working. Five Charts Show Hows," Bloomberg). It's working exactly the way it's supposed to."

"We have to remember that the Trump Administration is still fighting the congestion zone in court (" New York's Congestion Pricing Succeeds as Trump Fights to End It," Newsweek). That Gov. Hochul cancelled it (" The Politics That Derailed Congestion Pricing in New York," New Yorker), then reversed course, in part because of sustained public opposition to her decision (" 'Slap in the face': outrage after New York governor halts congestion pricing," Guardian). In the end, the price dropped from $15 to $9."

"The second biggest story is ongoing financial crises for most transit systems, whose business models were crushed by covid and the shift to work from home. Many systems have half or fewer the number of riders pre-2020. And special federal funds for transit were increased under Biden, and not under Trump. -- " San Diego transit at a crossroads? MTS boasts robust ridership recovery - but faces financial crisis," San Diego Union Tribune In the SF Bay area, a referendum campaign is underway for two ballot measures to provide additional funding to all types of transit in the region."

Congestion pricing in New York City has reduced congestion and produced intended outcomes: increased visitation to Manhattan's core, higher sales tax revenues, and fewer storefront vacancies. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority received over $500 million for transit investment. The policy faced legal and political challenges, including litigation from the Trump Administration and a temporary cancellation and reversal by Governor Hochul, resulting in a reduced charge from $15 to $9. Broadly, transit systems nationwide face ongoing financial crises after covid and remote work reduced ridership, while some regions pursue new funding measures and federal support shifted during the Biden administration.

Read at Urbanplacesandspaces