Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Congestion Pricing

LaHood: NYC’s Congestion Pricing Money Still There for the Taking

Speaking at an event in Midtown yesterday morning, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood let it be known that New York City can still claim hundreds of millions of dollars in federal transit funding -- if local lawmakers implement congestion pricing. NY1 reports:

The city was slated to receive about $350 million in federaltransportation funds to implement the plan, but it was was stalled byState Assembly Democrats in Albany.

LaHood said the money is still there if lawmakers change their minds.

"The money that was going to be provided for that particular project isstill at the Department of Transportation," said LaHood. "If New Yorkgot its act together around that kind of opportunity, I think we wouldlook at it."

Most of that $354 million would have gone toward transit enhancements targeted for areas underserved by subways. Citing, in large part, their distrust of the MTA to spend congestion pricing revenue wisely, state legislators turned down the offer from George W. Bush's DOT and killed the proposal last April.

Here we are a year later, and Albany just passed a toll-free MTA financing package that leaves the agency's capital plan largely unfunded. Congestion pricing would go a long way toward filling that gap, and self-styled watchdogs Malcolm Smith and Richard Brodsky say the new bill will make the MTA "transparent and accountable" to their liking. So if Barack Obama's DOT comes back with that $354 million offer, would NYC's state legislators still walk away from all those transit improvements for their constituents?

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Four Policies Progressives Are Backing for the Next Big Transportation Bill

Progressives are refusing to water down their ambitions in the face of a deeply divided Washington.

August 13, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines on a Hot Tin Roof

We're talking about streetcars, but are really tired of "desire" puns.

August 13, 2025

Femmes + Thems Bike Offers a Safe Space For Chicagoans to Ride Together

Women, femme, nb, and trans Chicagoans are gathering together to enjoy life on two wheels.

August 12, 2025

Vital ‘Lifeline’ or Blatant Ripoff? Instacart Makes NYC Groceries 75% More Expensive

Instacart is arguing that its services are a lifeline to low income New Yorkers, but the app makes groceries 75 percent more expensive.

August 12, 2025

Is U.S. Passenger Rail Having a Big Moment?

We brought in an expert to unpack some of the biggest rail headlines of the day — and a few you might have missed.

August 12, 2025

Tuesday’s Orwellian Headlines

We've always been at war with Oceania, if you believe the Department of Energy.

August 12, 2025
See all posts