Will New Yorkers face a “summer of chaos” without congestion pricing? Here’s the opinion of a transit official.

Could New York City face another “summer of hell” for its subway riders due to the pause on congestion pricing? Richard Davey, the outgoing president of NYC Transit, expressed his shock at Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision to halt the new tolls in Manhattan. In an interview with Marcia Kramer, Davey discussed the potential impact of this pause on the transit system, emphasizing the need for continued investment to ensure its reliability and safety.

Davey highlighted the importance of congestion pricing not only for improving the quality of life for New Yorkers but also for making necessary investments in the aging transit system. He noted that without the additional funding from congestion pricing, there could be challenges in maintaining and improving the infrastructure, particularly in areas with underperforming lines that require modern signal systems and other upgrades.

In the short term, Davey suggested that the pause on congestion pricing could lead to operational impacts, potentially slowing down hiring and affecting day-to-day maintenance activities. He emphasized the significance of safety critical projects and the need to prioritize funding for essential maintenance and improvements to prevent service disruptions and ensure passenger safety.

Regarding long-term consequences, Davey expressed concern that the lack of congestion pricing funding could jeopardize the progress made in recent years in enhancing the subway system. With a significant shortfall in the current capital program budget, difficult decisions may need to be made to prioritize projects, potentially delaying essential upgrades and expansions that were previously planned.

Despite the challenges posed by the pause on congestion pricing, Davey remained optimistic about the future of the subway system. He underscored the importance of ongoing investments in critical infrastructure components such as tracks and signals, which are essential for maintaining reliability and improving service quality. He also urged decision-makers to recognize the urgency of funding the transit system to prevent a decline in service quality.

In conclusion, Davey shared his surprise at Gov. Hochul’s decision to pause congestion pricing and emphasized the need for continued investment in the transit system to avoid potential setbacks. He acknowledged the complexity of addressing issues like fare evasion and stressed the importance of maintaining order and safety within the system. Despite leaving his role at NYC Transit, Davey expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve New Yorkers and his excitement about future challenges in transportation and economic development in Boston.