The gantries have been collecting tolls for over two months. There is now the first real barometer of how new Yorkers feel about congestion pricing.  

Siena College Research Institute pollster Steve Greenberg explained the question asked.

“We told voters Governor Hochul says that congestion pricing in Manhattan is working, reducing traffic and raising revenue for the MTA and remain. President trump says congestion pricing is nothing more than an unfair tax on working commuters and should be eliminated,” Greenberg said.

The latest Siena College poll taken statewide among registered voters between March 2 and March 6 asked based on that statement should it stay or go. 

According to the poll, 33% believe it should remain, 40% believe it should be eliminated, 16% are in the middle and 11% either didn’t know about it or refused to answer. The results are better in the city, but worse in the suburbs.

“It has got support, but not overwhelming support plurality support among New York city voters, 42% to 35%,” Greenberg said. “In the downstate suburbs it’s underwater: Forty-eight percent [of] voters think congestion pricing should be eliminated as compared to 30% who think it should remain.”

But the poll leaves out an important and large segment of commuters into the city: New Jersey drivers who have one thing on their mind, their wallets.

While the two months may not have changed those drivers’ minds, it did change some. 

“Just a few months ago in December, when we asked voters do you support or oppose Governor Hochul re-instituting the $9 congestion pricing toll plan,” Greenberg said. “At that time 51% said they opposed it, 29% said they supported it.”

While even those against the program say it’s working as intended, yet another lawsuit has been filed against Hochul and the MTA from a Long Island state legislator.

One of the arguments is that the MTA is defying U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, pulling federal approval and not shutting off the tolls by March 21.