Dear New Yorkers,

Transit riders are the heart of the City’s working class and economic engine. Every day, 3.6 million New Yorkers rely on subways and buses to get where they need to be.

But unfortunately, New York’s transit system is not nearly as world class as our people.

When Governor Hochul halted congestion pricing last month, she singlehandedly deprived millions of subway and bus riders of $15 billion worth of transit improvements, like more frequent trains, new subway lines, faster buses, and greater accessibility. She also violated two state laws and the state constitution.

That’s why I’m so pleased to announce the filing of two lawsuits today challenging the Governor Hochul’s unlawful decision. Both suits state unequivocally that the governor’s action is against the law.

The  two new lawsuits were filed in partnership with our broad coalition of advocates, attorneys, and potential petitioners exploring all possible legal avenues to fight Hochul’s about-face. Here’s a little bit more about the lawsuits:

• City Club of New York et al v. Hochul challenges Governor Hochul’s authority to singlehandedly block congestion pricing under the original 2019 statute. The law firm Emery Celli is leading on this suit.
  
  
• Riders Alliance v. Hochul challenges the governor’s decision on the basis of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and the right to clean air and a healthy environment in the New York State Constitution. The environmental litigation nonprofit Earthjustice is leading this effort. Sierra Club and the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance, alongside Riders Alliance, are the petitioners in this suit.
  

If either of these new lawsuits are resolved favorably, it would re-implement congestion pricing and deliver transit improvements, a more frequent, accessible subway system, faster buses, cleaner air, and smoother traffic. New Yorkers have a fighting chance at the world-class public transit, reduced traffic, and better air quality we all deserve.

But if Governor Hochul’s illegal pause is not reversed, hard-working New Yorkers on their way home after a long day will experience increasing service cuts, gridlock, air quality alerts, and inaccessible stations.

We’ll keep doing everything we can to make sure that doesn’t happen.

I’ll have more updates on congestion pricing soon,

Brad

The Office of New York City Comptroller

Our mailing address is:
Office of New York City Comptroller Brad Lander
1 Centre Street
New York, NY 10007
United States

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