ALBANY, NY- UNS: Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris (SD-12) and Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani (AD-36) said that
“We are at a decisive moment that will determine whether we get congestion pricing right, or leave commuters behind.
‘Today, both houses of the legislature demonstrated their commitment to putting the MTA on the express track to deliver a better system for riders — and taking an evidence-based approach’. In London and Stockholm, investment in bus service was key to the success of congestion pricing. London increased bus service by 17% before the rollout of congestion pricing. They saw congestion reduced by 30%, and a third more bus trips in central London. The greatest city in the world deserves the same.
In last year’s state budget, Governor Hochul and the legislature created the largest fare-free bus pilot in the country. That pilot has provided economic relief at a time when the cost of living has skyrocketed. Participating lines have seen ridership increase by as much as 20%.
We thank Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Carl Heastie for their leadership, and look forward to working with Governor Hochul to pass yet another strong budget for straphangers.”
