East Midtown Bleeds While Leaders Stall

Governor Hochul froze Manhattan’s congestion pricing. The $15 billion for subways, buses, and rail hangs in limbo. Riders face broken elevators, old signals, and crowded trains. Streets stay clogged. No plan B. Vulnerable New Yorkers lose safe, reliable transit.

""She is not aware of what she is referring to or where she believes that money will come from."" -- Liz Krueger

On June 6, 2024, Governor Kathy Hochul halted New York’s congestion pricing program, which was set to start June 30. The plan, designed to charge most drivers $15 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street, would have funded $15 billion in MTA capital improvements. The bill’s summary warns: 'No plan B for transit investments should congestion pricing not go through.' Senator Liz Krueger, mentioned in the debate, criticized the lack of alternative funding, saying, 'She is not aware of what she is referring to or where she believes that money will come from.' The delay leaves critical projects—like subway accessibility, new signals, and electric buses—unfunded. Without this money, vulnerable riders face more delays, breakdowns, and unsafe conditions. The City Council and transit advocates express deep disappointment and concern for New York’s future.

• Congestion pricing: $15 BILLION in transit improvements in jeopardy after Hochul halts Manhattan toll plan, amny.com, Published 2024-06-06

Governor Hochul halted congestion pricing. Lawmakers balked at raising payroll taxes. The MTA’s $15 billion plan now hangs by a thread. Projects stall. Federal funds at risk. Riders, walkers, and cyclists face uncertainty. Albany remains split. Streets stay dangerous.

On June 6, 2024, Governor Hochul announced a pause on congestion pricing, sparking confusion in Albany. The state-level response included a rejected proposal to raise the payroll mobility tax (PMT) on NYC businesses to fill the $15 billion gap in the MTA’s capital plan. State Sen. Liz Krueger said, 'Payroll mobility taxes are actually taxes on workers... I do not think we have an appetite for that in the Senate.' Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato, who once voted for congestion pricing, now supports the pause, calling the original vote 'political blackmail.' The MTA’s future projects, including the Second Avenue Subway, are threatened, as federal matching funds require local dollars. Lawmakers remain divided. No clear alternative has emerged. Vulnerable road users are left exposed as transit funding falters.

• Reporter’s Notebook: Where Were You The Day Congestion Pricing Died (Maybe)?, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-06-06

Governor Hochul yanked support for congestion pricing weeks before launch. Senator Liz Krueger called it reckless. The move leaves a $15 billion hole in MTA funding. No clear replacement plan. Riders and streets hang in the balance. Gridlock wins.

On June 6, 2024, Senator Liz Krueger (District 28) condemned Governor Hochul’s last-minute reversal on congestion pricing. The policy, approved by the MTA Board and set for June 30, now faces indefinite delay. Krueger called the decision 'a staggering error' that creates a financial crisis for the MTA. The matter at hand: 'Gov. Hochul revoked her support for congestion pricing less than a month before it was supposed to start.' Assembly Member Robert Carroll also criticized the governor, rejecting her proposal to hike the payroll mobility tax on city businesses. The MTA’s capital plan now faces a $15 billion shortfall, with no replacement funding in sight. The delay leaves vulnerable road users exposed, as congestion pricing aimed to cut traffic and fund safer transit. The council’s response is clear: the city needs congestion pricing, now.

• Two Huge Questions About 'Gridlock Gov.' Hochul's Congestion Pricing Delay, streetsblog.org, Published 2024-06-06

Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-06

Lawmakers back speed cameras near Kingston schools. Cameras catch drivers who speed. The bill passed both chambers. It sunsets in 2029. Children and families walk safer, but the fix is temporary.

Senate Bill S 8607, titled 'Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Kingston,' passed the Senate on June 6, 2024, and the Assembly on June 7, 2024. The bill, sponsored by Senator Michelle Hinchey, creates a camera program to catch speeding drivers near schools. The program ends December 31, 2029. The measure saw broad support in both chambers, but some lawmakers voted no. The bill aims to protect children and families on foot near schools, but its impact will end unless renewed. No safety analyst note was provided.

• File S 8607, Open States, Published 2024-06-06

Council members slam Hochul’s last-minute NYC tax hike to replace congestion pricing. Transit funding hangs in limbo. Liz Krueger says the tax lacks support. Riders and workers face uncertainty as lawmakers reject new burdens and demand fairer solutions.

On June 6, 2024, State Sen. Liz Krueger (District 28) and other lawmakers responded to a proposed New York City tax hike meant to replace the indefinitely postponed $15 congestion pricing tolls. The measure, debated as Bill 28, has not advanced in committee and faces strong opposition. The matter, described as 'a last-minute funding move that drew fierce opposition,' has Krueger stating, 'I think it does not have support.' Assemblyman Brian Cunningham echoed, 'No new taxes.' The proposal would raise the payroll mobility tax, already increased last year, to fund the MTA. Rep. Jerry Nadler and business groups argue the tax unfairly targets NYC, while congestion pricing would have spread costs regionally. With the legislative session ending, MTA projects remain at risk. No safety analyst has assessed the impact on vulnerable road users.

• Outrage mounts as Hochul pushes last-minute NYC tax hike to replace congestion tolls: ‘Insulting joke’, nypost.com, Published 2024-06-06

Governor Hochul scrapped congestion pricing. The MTA lost a billion a year. Lawmakers scrambled. Senator Liz Krueger rejected a payroll tax hike. The MTA faces a funding cliff. Subway upgrades, elevators, and clean buses now hang in the balance.

On June 6, 2024, Governor Hochul’s sudden reversal on Manhattan congestion pricing sparked chaos in Albany. The plan, set to start June 30, would have charged drivers $15 to enter below 60th Street, raising $1 billion yearly for transit. Hochul proposed a payroll tax hike instead, but State Senator Liz Krueger opposed it, saying, "I do not think we have an appetite for that in the Senate." The bill’s fate is uncertain as the legislative session ends. The MTA board, city officials, and business groups all voiced concern. Projects like the Second Avenue Subway, subway accessibility, and zero-emission buses now face cancellation. No alternative funding plan exists. Vulnerable riders—those who rely on transit—stand to lose the most.

• Gov. Hochul’s congestion toll flip-flop spurs mad scramble at NY Capitol, gothamist.com, Published 2024-06-06

Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-06-03

An 80-year-old man crossing Park Avenue with the light was struck head-on by a northbound Citi Bike. Blood pooled on the pavement. The rider did not yield. The man lay semiconscious, bleeding from the head. The bike showed no damage.

According to the police report, an 80-year-old pedestrian was crossing Park Avenue at the intersection, moving with the signal, when he was struck head-on by a northbound Citi Bike e-bike at 10:50 a.m. The report states the pedestrian was left semiconscious and bleeding from the head, with severe injuries. The Citi Bike rider failed to yield the right-of-way and disregarded traffic control, as cited in both the narrative and the contributing factors. The report notes the bike bore no damage after the collision. The pedestrian’s action—crossing with the signal—is listed in the report, but only after the rider’s failure to yield and disregard for traffic controls. The crash underscores the danger posed when drivers or riders ignore basic right-of-way rules on New York City streets.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729504 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan traveling west on 1 Avenue collided with a northbound bicyclist at East 59 Street. The cyclist suffered abrasions and injuries to the elbow and lower arm. Police cited the sedan driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the cause.

According to the police report, at 19:25 a 2023 Nissan sedan was traveling westbound on 1 Avenue near East 59 Street in Manhattan when it struck a northbound bicyclist. The point of impact was the center front end of the sedan and the center front end of the bike. The bicyclist, a 41-year-old male, sustained abrasions and injuries to his elbow, lower arm, and hand but was conscious and not ejected from the bike. The report explicitly cites the sedan driver’s failure to yield right-of-way as the contributing factor to the crash. The sedan driver was licensed in New York and traveling straight ahead. No other contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted in the report.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729027 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-05-28

Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-05-28

Senate backs S 9718. Bill orders safe street design for all. Cyclists, walkers, and riders get new protections. Some senators vote no. The car’s grip loosens, but danger remains.

Senate bill S 9718, titled 'Enables safe access to public roads for all users by utilizing complete street design principles,' passed committee votes on May 28 and June 3, 2024. Primary sponsor Sean Ryan, with co-sponsors Liz Krueger, Monica Martinez, Jack M. Martins, Anthony H. Palumbo, and Julia Salazar, pushed the measure. The bill mandates street designs that protect everyone, not just drivers. Most senators voted yes, but a block of no votes showed resistance. The bill’s language centers vulnerable users. It marks a shift: streets must serve people, not just cars.

• File S 9718, Open States, Published 2024-05-28

A taxi’s left front bumper crushed near Park Avenue. A 52-year-old woman in the rear seat bled from a head wound. The lap belt restrained her, but shattered glass caused injury. She remained conscious amid the blood-slicked seat.

According to the police report, a taxi traveling north on East 47th Street near Park Avenue sustained damage to its left front bumper. The collision caused the front left quarter panel to crumple. A 52-year-old female passenger seated in the left rear suffered head injuries, bleeding heavily inside the vehicle. The report states, 'The lap belt held her. The glass did not. She stayed conscious. The seat was slick with her blood.' No driver errors such as failure to yield or speeding are cited; contributing factors are listed as 'Unspecified.' The incident highlights the systemic danger of rear seat injuries even when occupants are restrained. The taxi driver was licensed and traveling straight ahead at the time of impact.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4729848 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 23-year-old woman suffered knee and lower leg injuries after a sedan struck her at an intersection. The driver was making a left turn and failed to pay attention. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when the collision occurred.

According to the police report, a 23-year-old female pedestrian was injured at the intersection of East 58 Street and 2 Avenue in Manhattan at 6:50 AM. The pedestrian was crossing with the signal when a sedan, driven by a licensed male driver traveling east and making a left turn, struck her with the vehicle's right front bumper. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor to the crash. The pedestrian sustained injuries to her knee, lower leg, and foot, and was in shock with complaints of pain or nausea. The vehicle sustained no damage. The collision highlights the dangers posed by distracted drivers failing to yield to pedestrians legally crossing intersections.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4728787 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A Ford SUV struck a Toyota sedan from behind on East 57th Street in Manhattan. The sedan’s front passenger suffered neck injuries and whiplash. Slippery pavement contributed to the crash, highlighting hazardous road conditions and driver control failures.

According to the police report, at 7:15 AM on East 57th Street in Manhattan, a 2015 Ford SUV traveling west struck the rear center of a 2021 Toyota sedan also traveling west. The impact caused injuries to a 53-year-old female front passenger in the sedan, who was conscious and wearing a lap belt and harness but suffered neck injuries and whiplash. The report cites slippery pavement as a contributing factor, indicating loss of vehicle control. The SUV’s point of impact was its center front end, consistent with a rear-end collision. The report does not list any driver license or behavioral factors for either driver, but the collision type and conditions suggest failure to maintain control under hazardous road conditions. No pedestrian or cyclist was involved.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4725184 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A sedan collided with a bicyclist on East 48th Street in Manhattan. The cyclist suffered head injuries and whiplash, entering shock. Police cited improper lane usage by the sedan driver as the cause. The bicyclist was not wearing a helmet.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 13:10 on East 48th Street in Manhattan. A BMW sedan traveling east struck a 56-year-old male bicyclist also traveling east. The point of impact was the sedan's left front quarter panel. The bicyclist sustained head injuries and whiplash and was reported to be in shock. The police identified 'Passing or Lane Usage Improper' as the contributing factor, indicating driver error by the sedan operator. The bicyclist was not wearing a helmet, but this was not cited as a contributing factor. The sedan driver was licensed and operating the vehicle legally. The bicyclist was not ejected and suffered injury severity level 3. The collision highlights the dangers posed by improper lane usage in shared traffic environments.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4724420 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A 37-year-old man suffered upper arm contusions after an SUV struck him outside an intersection in Manhattan. The driver’s inattention caused the collision, according to the police report. The pedestrian remained conscious but injured in the impact.

According to the police report, at 6:00 PM in Manhattan near East 46th Street, a Station Wagon/SUV struck a 37-year-old male pedestrian outside an intersection. The pedestrian sustained contusions and bruises to his shoulder and upper arm but remained conscious. The report identifies "Driver Inattention/Distraction" as the primary contributing factor to the crash. The vehicle impacted the pedestrian at the center back end of the SUV. No other contributing factors related to the pedestrian’s behavior were noted. The driver’s failure to maintain attention created a hazardous situation resulting in injury to a vulnerable road user.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4716796 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

A taxi driver distracted while making a U-turn struck a 17-year-old bicyclist traveling east on East 59 Street in Manhattan. The cyclist suffered knee and lower leg bruises. The crash exposed critical driver inattention at a busy intersection.

According to the police report, the crash occurred at 17:00 on East 59 Street in Manhattan. A taxi, driven by a licensed male driver, was making a U-turn when it collided with a 17-year-old male bicyclist traveling straight ahead eastbound. The point of impact was the taxi's left front quarter panel, damaging the left side doors. The bicyclist was injured with contusions and bruises to his knee and lower leg but was conscious and not ejected. The report cites 'Driver Inattention/Distraction' as a contributing factor for the taxi driver. No contributing factors related to the bicyclist were noted. This incident highlights the dangers posed by driver distraction during complex maneuvers such as U-turns in dense urban areas.

• Motor Vehicle Collisions – CrashID 4718381 - Crashes, Persons, Vehicles , NYC Open Data, Accessed 2025-08-04

Mayor Adams dodged questions on e-bike registration and battery swap rollout. City Hall offered no answers. Delivery workers wait. Council Member Powers grows impatient. Advocates warn registration could hurt cycling. The city stalls. Streets stay dangerous for riders and walkers.

On April 2, 2024, Mayor Adams faced questions about Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar's bill to require e-bike registration and the city’s delay in launching a mandated battery swap program. The mayor called both topics 'off topic' at a press conference. City Hall later said it is reviewing the Rajkumar bill and that the Department of Transportation would oversee the battery swap program, but provided no timeline. The bill, based on disputed injury statistics, has drawn criticism from street safety advocates who argue registration would suppress cycling and sustainable transit. Local Law 131, sponsored by Council Member Keith Powers, requires the battery swap program, but the city has not acted. Powers voiced frustration, noting the Council plans to allocate $3 million for the program. Vulnerable road users remain at risk as city action stalls.

• Mayor Mum on E-Bike Registration Bill, Battery Swap Program, Streetsblog NYC, Published 2024-04-02