New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has revived congestion pricing after a five-month pause.
The program's biggest change is a $9 toll, down from $15 but by 2031, the toll will increase to $15 for all drivers. The program's mixed reception from New Yorkers is partly to blame for the pause.
Renae Reynolds, executive director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, said the program faced opposition from commuters.
"There have been a plethora of critiques from folks in New Jersey who have complained about the cost of the toll, who have made claims that people are going to create congestion in other areas as they aim to avoid the congestion pricing fee," Reynolds noted.
An environmental assessment showed congestion pricing could increase pollution in the outer boroughs and New Jersey. Specifically, the Bronx might see increased soot from more than 700 trucks entering the borough daily. MTA is spending $130 million on mitigation efforts. Congestion pricing will go into effect at midnight on Jan. 5, 2025.
Lawsuits were brought forward or considered to both terminate and reinstate congestion pricing. Estimates showed canceling it would have cost New York 100,000 jobs. The program is slated to generate more than $15 billion for MTA.
Reynolds pointed out it will go toward overdue improvements to the city's subway system.
"That's signal upgrades, making sure our system is accessible for all folks regardless of abilities by installing elevators where there need to be," Reynolds outlined. "Because we are well behind the requirements of ADA accessibility."
Only 113 stations of the entire subway system's 472 are accessible. The MTA's capital plan calls for 70 stations to be made entirely accessible. Congestion pricing would also pay for the next phases of the Second Avenue subway to be built, and transitioning the city's bus fleet to all electric.
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The number of registered electric vehicles in Indiana rose from 13,000 in 2023 to nearly 15,000 in 2024. However, plans to install more EV chargers in Indianapolis are on hold due to President Donald Trump's executive order to freeze federal spending linked to the 2024 Biden-Harris Administration Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Mo McReynolds, interim director of the Office of Sustainability for the City of Indianapolis, said the city applied for funding between 2021 and 2024 and was approved for millions last year and should the federal government authorize funding distribution within weeks or months, plans will designate local charging and fueling infrastructure sites to appear at popular neighborhood places.
"We were awarded $15 million, in that realm, to establish as many sites as we can afford within that budget," McReynolds explained. "We're still determining that amount within a partnership with Indianapolis public libraries, Indy park locations and culturally relevant sites for Black and brown communities."
Investments will make modern and sustainable infrastructure accessible to all drivers of electric, hydrogen, propane and natural gas vehicles. Indiana Vehicle Fuel Dashboard data shows Marion County has the highest number of state-registered vehicles under the four categories at slightly under 3,000. Union County has the lowest with four vehicles.
Pending funding disbursement, McReynolds pointed out the initial $15 million grant timeline is for five years. It is meant to coordinate with the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program for corridors and highways. Her office is establishing a grant agreement with the Federal Highway Authority for projects on a more local level.
"Ours are more focused on the community, so we hope to begin that process this year," McReynolds emphasized. "We may begin procurement with EV charging companies in 2026."
A significant amount of time will be taken to evaluate current and potential sites in Indianapolis. McReynolds indicated her office intends to do proper community engagement by speaking with residents to ensure EV chargers are welcome in their communities. Due to Trump's executive order to hold off on fund disbursement, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett is monitoring any further developments and is awaiting further guidance.
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Massachusetts will benefit from more than $100 million in new federal funding for various transportation projects.
Neighborhoods divided by busy roadways in Somerville, Mattapan and Pittsfield will be reconnected with new street-level pathways while more than 400 new electric-vehicle charging ports will be installed statewide.
Quentin Palfrey, director of federal funds and infrastructure for the Massachusetts Executive Office for Administration and Finance, said funds will also improve more than 50 high-risk rail crossings.
"Some of these new resources are going to help us to expand rail and transit, move forward West-East rail and also improve the safety of our transit system," Palfrey outlined.
Palfrey noted the goal is to create a more accessible and climate-resilient transit system. The state has secured more than $9 billion in federal funds over the past two years, including nearly $2 billion to replace the Cape Cod Bridges.
The funding stems from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the largest federal investment in public transportation in the nation's history. In addition to upgrading existing structures, projects are also improving access to natural resources.
Palfrey pointed out more than $17 million will support expansion of the Ashuwillticook Trail, creating a network of paths from Adams to Williamstown.
"It's a major priority across our transportation system," Palfrey emphasized. "This is going to be a really big step forward for Berkshire County's efforts in that regard."
Palfrey added state officials are building a transit network to serve everyone no matter how they travel, while helping to meet the state's ambitious climate goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
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A leading consumer publication says electric vehicles are gaining ground on gas-powered cars when it comes to feelings about reliability.
However, an EV enthusiast and Nebraska electrical engineering professor and said there's an information gap, while also highlighting improved technology.
The new reliability survey from Consumer Reports found that EV owners reported 42% more problems than gas-only cars.
That compares to nearly 80% from the previous survey, indicating a major improvement.
Retired University of Nebraska professor Don Cox said the batteries in most EVs are much better than they used to be, potentially easing concerns about them performing in colder climates.
"Batteries have improved a lot over the last 10, 15 years," said Cox. "A huge amount. They are continuing to improve."
However, he said EV batteries will always need a little time to warm up when it's cold, impacting their range in the winter.
Even though that perfection might never be achieved, Cox and other researchers say EVs are proving to be more efficient than gas models, overall.
He said he disagrees with how Consumer Reports puts together its evaluations, and added there isn't enough widely circulated ratings for buyers to lean on.
Dissecting issues such as reliability often coincides with measuring sales of electric vehicles. Cox was one of the first EV owners in Nebraska, which still lags other states for these purchases.
But with the help of federal investments, he said more chargers are being added, including near interstates to accommodate longer trips.
And the median range has increased from 80 miles in 2010 to roughly 250 miles today.
"I think that as people understand more about electric cars," said Cox, "that they're going to be more useful almost everywhere."
Nationally, researchers say issues still have to be sorted out in building up a strong charging network.
That includes drivers encountering broken charging equipment and the need for these sites to be maintained.
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