New York Governor Kathy Hochul is actively seeking to revive a contentious congestion pricing plan for New York City, aiming to implement it before President-elect Donald J. Trump has the opportunity to dismantle it. This initiative is gaining momentum as pressure mounts from various stakeholders, including a prominent group representing transit riders who are set to launch an advertising campaign on Monday advocating for the tolling program.

The revised plan that Governor Hochul is currently considering is slightly different from the version she paused in June. Her efforts are focused on addressing the concerns of opponents who have criticized the proposed $15 congestion pricing toll that most motorists would be required to pay, while also catering to supporters advocating for reduced vehicular traffic and enhanced funding for mass transit improvements.

Governor Hochul has engaged in discussions with federal officials regarding the potential adjustment of the toll to $9. She is also assessing whether such a modification would necessitate a lengthy and complex additional environmental review process. These conversations have been highlighted in reports from Politico and are being closely monitored by members of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) board.

In light of Trump’s recent electoral victory, which has been characterized by his vocal opposition to congestion pricing, Governor Hochul seems motivated to identify a compromise solution. According to Danny Pearlstein, a spokesperson for the Riders Alliance, the urgency of the situation cannot be understated. He remarked, “The timing is everything.” Pearlstein emphasized that if congestion pricing is not implemented by January, it is “very unlikely” that it would commence at all.