Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman has urged Governor Kathy Hochul to suspend the $9 congestion pricing toll for motorists crossing into core Manhattan while the Long Island Rail Road strike continues. The call comes as commuters on Long Island deal with major disruptions to their daily travel routines into New York City.
Blakeman also voiced support for legislation put forward by Assemblyman Ed Ra of Garden City. That measure would halt the congestion toll during any future strikes involving workers from NYC Transit, Metro-North, or the LIRR. The proposal further requires the MTA to refund charges collected from monthly ticket holders for any business days when service stops because of a strike.
Congestion pricing was first written into state law under former Governor Andrew Cuomo and the state legislature. Governor Hochul initially paused the program and later revised it in 2024. The MTA board approved the updated plan and put it into effect last year.
The current LIRR strike highlights differences in labor rules across the region's transit agencies. New York City transit workers are prohibited from striking under state law, with penalties that include heavy fines and the loss of automatic dues collection. The 2005 illegal strike by the Transport Workers Union led to exactly those consequences. In contrast, LIRR unions operate under federal law, which permits them to strike without facing similar penalties.
Blakeman's statement frames the toll suspension as a practical step to ease burdens on drivers who must use roads while rail service is halted. Supporters of the Ra bill argue it would protect regular commuters who rely on monthly passes from paying for service they cannot use during work stoppages.
Officials have not yet indicated whether Hochul will act on the request to pause the toll during the current strike. The MTA has continued to collect the congestion charge even as LIRR trains remain out of service for many riders.
Commuters from Long Island have reported longer car trips and increased traffic on routes leading into Manhattan since the strike began. Some have said they are now paying the $9 toll daily in addition to facing delays that were not present when LIRR service was running normally.
The legislation backed by Blakeman would apply broadly to strikes by any of the three major commuter rail and subway agencies under the MTA umbrella. Proponents say this would create a consistent policy for future labor disputes rather than handling each situation separately.
Background on the congestion pricing program shows it was designed to reduce traffic and raise revenue for transit improvements. The $9 charge applies to most vehicles entering the busiest parts of Manhattan south of 60th Street during peak hours.
Ra's bill would not eliminate the overall congestion pricing system but would create a temporary pause tied directly to strike activity. Monthly pass holders would receive credits or refunds for days when trains or buses do not operate because of work actions.
Political observers note that Blakeman's position aligns with other Republican candidates who have criticized the toll program since its rollout. Hochul's administration has defended the revised congestion pricing plan as necessary for funding the MTA's capital needs.
No immediate response has come from the governor's office regarding the specific request to suspend the toll for the duration of the LIRR strike. Lawmakers in Albany are expected to review the Ra legislation in the coming weeks.
Transit advocates have pointed out that many LIRR riders have shifted to driving or other alternatives during the strike, increasing pressure on already busy roadways. The added cost of the congestion toll has become an extra concern for those making the switch.
Blakeman continues to campaign on issues affecting Long Island residents, including transportation reliability and the cost of commuting. His latest statement ties those themes directly to the ongoing labor dispute and the congestion pricing rules.