Not long after the election, Hochul rebooted the plan but at the lower $9 toll. She denies politics were at play and said she thought the original $15 charge was too much, though she had been a vocal supporter of the program before halting it. ????? ???????  

The toll was supposed to go into effect last year with a $15 charge, but Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul abruptly paused the program before the 2024 election, when congressional races in suburban areas around the city ????????????

Other big cities around the world, including London and Stockholm, have similar congestion pricing schemes, but it is the first in the U.S. ?????  

“Not only is this a massive tax to people coming in, it is extremely inconvenient from both driving and personal booking keeping standards," he said in a statement. "It will be virtually impossible for New York City to come back as long as the congestion tax is in effect.” ????? ???????

In November, Trump, whose namesake Trump Tower is in the toll zone, said congestion pricing “will put New York City at a disadvantage over competing cities and states, and businesses will flee.” ????????????