NYC Comptroller Lander, Advocate & Litigator Coalition Cheer Lawsuit Settlement & Signed Agreement to Begin Congestion Pricing on...

NYC Comptroller Lander, Advocate & Litigator Coalition Cheer Lawsuit Settlement & Signed Agreement to Begin Congestion Pricing on January 5

New York, NY- New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and the coalition of advocates and legal experts, convened by the Comptroller's office, celebrate the settlement of the Riders Alliance v. Hochul and City Club v. Hochul lawsuits.Transit advocates sued to ensure that congestion pricing would go into effect, as required by state law. The settlement serves as a legally binding commitment that the parties will take every step to ensure that New York City's congestion pricing program will begin as scheduled on January 5, 2025.

The coalition also cheered the signing of the Tolling Agreement created under the Value Pricing Pilot Program (VPPP), a major step towards final implementation. The execution of the Tolling Agreement provides formal approval from the federal government allowing the program to commence.

"Today we are two big steps closer to modernized subway signals, new station elevators, expanded subways, faster bus service, less traffic, and cleaner air," said New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. "Props to our strong coalition of lawyers, experts, plaintiffs, and transit advocates who brought these lawsuits to ensure that congestion pricing would go into effect as required by law - and succeeded in doing exactly that. The legal settlement solidifies Governor Hochul's commitment to un-pause congestion pricing, and the execution of the VPPP provides the federal, state, and local approvals needed to get it up and running before Donald Trump takes office. Thank you to Governor Hochul, MTA Chair Janno Lieber, to the plaintiffs - Riders Alliance, the Sierra Club, New York City-Environmental Justice Alliance, and the City Club of New York - and to their talented attorneys who stepped up and filed these lawsuits, in coordination with our office, on behalf of hardworking straphangers who rely on New York's public transit every single day."

"We're extremely pleased that our litigation for the City Club helped get Congestion Pricing back on track. The law and the democratic process were vindicated, and, as a result, cleaner air, a modernized public transportation system, and a more livable City are now possible," said Andrew G. Celli, Jr., lawyer for The City Club.

"New Yorkers deserve cleaner air, a transit system that works for all of us, and a reduction in the planet-cooking greenhouse gases that jeopardize our future. We're delighted that congestion pricing is back on track," Earthjustice Senior Attorney Dror Ladinsaid.

"When congestion pricing's future was put in jeopardy, transit riders used every tool in our toolbox and got it back on track. Joined by the Sierra Club and New York City Environmental Justice Alliance, we won an agreement to implement a transformative policy that will improve our subways and buses, save money wasted in gridlock, cut respiratory healthcare costs from air pollution and help mitigate growing insurance, utility and other expenses due to extreme heat, stronger storms, and rising seas. We could not be more grateful for the expert legal team at Earthjustice, which gave riders our day in court and shepherded our case to a responsible, nuanced conclusion at a tough moment for New Yorkers, the nation and our world," said Riders Alliance Executive Director Betsy Plum.

"The City Club of New York is proud to have ensured the advancement of congestion pricing, a landmark initiative that will reduce traffic, improve air quality, and fund public transit, holding leadership accountable to the law and the city's needs," said Layla Law-Gisiko, President of the City Club of New York.

"New York City suffers from the world's worst traffic congestion, which further exacerbates transportation emissions - the city's second-largest source of emissions after buildings. "London, Milan, Singapore, and Stockholm have implemented congestion pricing and have greatly benefited from lower emissions, increased funding for mass transit, and fewer traffic accidents and resulting injuries. "We commend Governor Hochul for reinstating congestion pricing, and we look forward to working with her administration and New York City and State legislators on additional initiatives to improve the quality of life in New York City and combat the harmful effects of climate change," said Wayne Arden, Vice Chair, Sierra Club NYC Group.

"I am delighted that Governor Hochul agreed to comply with the congestion pricing law. It is unfortunate that it took a lawsuit to make clear that not even the Governor is above the law," said Christine Berthet, plaintiff in City Club v. Hochul.

"This settlement is the culmination of decades of legal, political and technical efforts to find a way both to reduce traffic congestion and to fund the transit system. I first became involved back in 1977 as a law student intern at NRDC, and it's gratifying to see everything come together like this," said Michael Gerrard, Andrew Sabin Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia Law School.

"With today's announcement by FHWA of the approval of the tolling agreement and the settlement of the lawsuit with the Riders Alliance and City Club, all the approvals are now in place for congestion pricing to begin on January 5th. This moment has been years in the making and finally, safer streets, improved transit, and cleaner air are on the way, and this couldn't have been accomplished without so many advocates from the Riders Alliance, Regional Plan Association, NY League of Conservation Voters, Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, Natural Resources Defense Council, Association for a Better New York, Environmental Defense Fund, Partnership for New York City, REBNY and many others groups and individuals who helped bring us to this historic and momentous occasion that will improve our mass transit system and make New York better for countless residents and commuters," said U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler.

"It's incredible to see the light at the end of the long, long tunnel leading to implementation of congestion pricing in NYC," said Bike New York's Jon Orcutt. "Huge credit to the city's transportation reform community for its perseverance and to City Comptroller Brad Lander for his unflinching support and advocacy for congestion pricing over the years."

"The Center for the Independence of the Disabled, NY (CIDNY) salutes the work of Comptroller Brad Lander, the Riders Alliance, the City Club of New York, and the legal teams that the Comptroller pulled together for applying the pressure which caused Governor Hochul to resume the Congestion Pricing Program. The next step, as we have outlined in our lawsuit, is to assure the resumption of all accessibility projects put on pause by the MTA Board on June 26. The NYC subway system remains the most inaccessible in the world, and the projects put on pause are a small step in rectifying that situation. We look forward to having discussions with the MTA about how to address the situation now that Congestion Pricing is back in place. On behalf of the millions of New Yorkers with disabilities, we will enter those discussions with optimism," said Dr. Sharon McLennon-Wier, Executive Director, Center for the Independence of the Disabled, NY.

"While we are not in love with the way the situation was handled or the lower price, we our ecstatic that congestion pricing will finally be implemented," said Blair Lorenzo, Executive Director, Effective Transit Alliance. "This is a major victory for New York that promises not only a steady funding stream for the MTA in very uncertain times, but also make life better for all New Yorkers by reducing traffic. A needed victory for New York!"

"We are proud of the work that was done by a forceful coalition of activists and transportation advocates. Funding for accessibility is crucial to our city's infrastructure and we are relieved by Gov. Hochul's determination to resume congestion pricing. We look forward to cleaner air, less congestion, and a more accessible transit system," said Jennifer van Dyck, member of Elevator Action Group (Rise and Resist).

"Implementing congestion pricing will be a major win for the future of New York's transportation system, cleaner air, and the state's climate legacy. The incoming Trump administration poses a serious and immediate risk to the country's climate progress, and Governor Hochul is moving to safeguard New York's ability to meet climate goals," said Justin Balik, Senior State Program Director at Evergreen Action. "This announcement shows that the Hochul administration listened to advocates and the community and understands that we can move forward with bold policy while ensuring New York remains affordable and accessible. This is ultimately about making New York work better for its residents. We're proud to stand with this coalition and look forward to the implementation of this nation-leading program that will unclog our streets and ensure mass transit works better for all its users."

"Mobilization for Justice applauds the resolution of the Riders Alliance and City Club lawsuits and the resumption of congestion pricing," said Mike Litrownik, Supervising Attorney for the Special Litigation Project at Mobilization for Justice. "New Yorkers with disabilities will finally be able to benefit from the long-promised public transit accessibility improvements that were to be funded by congestion pricing. Mobilization for Justice was proud to be part of this legal coalition and ensure that Governors, regardless of party, may not ignore or purport to pause duly-enacted laws."

"The settlement of this litigation and the State and federal sign-offs to advance Governor Hochul's January 5th start-up of congestion pricing mark a long-awaited, historic turning point in sensible traffic management, air pollution reduction, and transit funding in the nation's largest city. For millions of residents and businesses, the result will be hours of travel time saved, cleaner air, and enhanced subway, bus and commuter rail service. We are grateful to Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams, Comptroller Lander, and the Biden administration for working cooperatively in the best long-term interest of the region," said Eric A. Goldstein, New York City Environment Director at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

"New York Lawyers for the Public Interest commends the plaintiffs in securing a major victory for all New Yorkers, including people with disabilities," saidChristopher Schuyler, Managing Attorney at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest. "Congestion Pricing will supply the MTA with $16.5 billion in stable funding needed for major subway improvements including elevators in 23 stations while improving air quality and reducing harmful traffic congestion. This settlement agreement both affirms public trust in the legal system and helps secure the future of mass transit for our region's economy and environment."

"We cannot drive our way out of the climate crisis, and congestion pricing is a pivotal initiative that will generate essential funding to improve the MTA, making mass transit a more attractive, accessible choice for everyone. With all parties on board and a final agreement signed with the federal government, today marks a major step on our way to less traffic, cleaner air, and robust investments in mass transit. We thank Governor Hochul, our fellow advocates, and the everyday New Yorkers who have fought for this first-in-the-nation program and will continue to do so until it's "all systems go" on January 5," said Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters.

"The NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign commends the MTA, NYSDOT, and the Governor for finalizing the agreement on Congestion Pricing today. Finally, after a long road, New Yorkers will experience less traffic on our roads, and fewer tailpipe emissions in our air," said Natasha Elder, Regional Director at the NYPIRG Straphangers Campaign. "With Congestion Pricing's implementation on January 5th, it is also a chance at better transit service for the millions of folks who rely on subways and buses every single day."

"As New York builds more homes to address our housing crisis, we must prioritize transit over cars," said Annemarie Gray, Executive Director of Open New York. "We're grateful to the thousands of advocates who have fought tirelessly for congestion pricing, and for Governor Hochul, our allies in the State Senate, Assembly, and Congress who brought it over the finish line. It is a critical foundation to truly make New York a more sustainable, affordable, and livable city-one designed for people, not vehicles."

"We are thrilled and relieved that these suits have been settled and congestion pricing will begin as soon as possible," said Sara Lind, Co-Executive Director at Open Plans. "Congestion pricing is not only the law, it's a proven and urgently needed program that will help New York City tackle overlapping traffic, safety, and climate crises. We are so grateful to the many advocates and elected officials who worked tirelessly to ensure that New Yorkers voices were heard. With our national politics in turmoil, it's more crucial than ever that New York City and State make bold investments in a transit-rich future."

"Thanks to the tireless advocacy of the plaintiffs and Comptroller Lander and Governor's Hochul's leadership in un-pausing the pause, cleaner air, better transit, and less traffic are on the way for millions of New Yorkers," said MTA Board members and amici Andrew Albert, Randy Glucksman and Gerry Bringmann, of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA. "We applaud the settlement of these lawsuits and the signing of the VPPP."

"Today marks a historic victory for New York City and the entire tri-state region as the MTA and NYSDOT have signed the final tolling agreement with the federal government for Congestion Pricing. This milestone brings us one step closer to delivering cleaner air, less traffic, and a more reliable transit system for millions of New Yorkers," said Renae Reynolds, Executive Director at Tri-State Transportation Campaign. "By reducing congestion and investing in public transit, congestion pricing will help create a healthier, more equitable city while advancing New York's climate goals. We applaud the federal government, the MTA, and NYSDOT for their leadership in making this transformative policy a reality, and we look forward to its implementation."

"We thank state leadership on resuming the tolling program to address transit issues that have burdened our communities in Northern Manhattan for decades. We are looking for the tolling program to not only reduce traffic, raise funds for public transportation, and improve station accessibility; we also look forward to continuing to work together to decide where revenue from congestion pricing will go towards in environmental justice communities to improve air quality, green space, and community-based projects. Our ridership is excited to see work continue on the long-awaited 2nd Ave Subway extension to East Harlem," said Briana Carbajal, State Legislative Manager, WE ACT for Environmental Justice.

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