Blakeman Urges Hochul to Suspend Congestion Pricing Toll During LIRR Strike

Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman called for suspending the $9 congestion pricing toll for motorists crossing into core Manhattan during the Long Island Rail Road strike. He also supports legislation introduced by Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Garden City) that would suspend the congestion toll during any future strike by workers with NYC Transit, Metro-North and LIRR.

Congestion pricing was established in state law by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state legislature. Gov. Kathy Hochul initially paused and then revised the congestion toll in 2024 and the MTA approved and implemented it last year.

Under state law, New York City transit workers are barred from striking. Transport Workers Union could face stiff fines and loss of automatic dues collection from members’ paychecks if it engages in an illegal strike, which is what happened during the 2-day illegal strike in 2005.

But the LIRR unions are covered by federal law and can strike without penalty. The new bill from Assemblyman Ra would also require the MTA — the parent agency overseeing the LIRR, NYC Transit and Metro-North — to return any charges collected from monthly ticket holders for business days when service is interrupted by a strike.