In Protests, a Hint of the Fight to Come Over Congestion Pricing

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During the last decade or so, whenever a new congestion pricing or toll plan has been proposed by Albany or City Hall, Assemblyman David I. Weprin has often organized rallies to criticize it.

But when Mr. Weprin, a Democrat who represents part of Queens, appeared on Sunday with other borough officials to protest the latest plan to charge drivers entering Manhattan, he was greeted by something unusual: two dozen transit advocates trying to drown him out with chants of “fix the subway” and hoisting signs like “David Weprin creates congestion.”

“I’m not going to be intimidated by a counterprotest,” Mr. Weprin said, just before kicking off a news conference at the entrance of the Roosevelt Island Tramway.

The dueling rallies offered a preview of what is likely to be an intense debate over the plan, released on Friday by a task force appointed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, to ease gridlock on New York City’s busiest streets and raise money to help its failing subway system.

Under the newest plan, a congestion zone would stretch to 60th Street from the Battery. Drivers would be charged a fee of $11.52 to enter during peak traffic times, while trucks and commercial vehicles would be charged $25.34. The plan would also impose a surcharge of $2 to $5 on trips in for-hire vehicles, including yellow taxis and Uber cars, in much of Manhattan.

While congestion pricing has been put in place in other cities around the world, such as London and Singapore, New York has never gotten a comparable plan off the ground. The most notable effort came in 2008, when Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg proposed an $8 fee to drive into Midtown and Lower Manhattan. But that proposal — which was loudly opposed by politicians outside Manhattan, including Mr. Weprin — died in the State Assembly without coming to a vote.

What makes the newest framework potentially different, though, is the growing sense that the subways are in an existential crisis. And, increasingly, frustrated New Yorkers are blaming Mr. Cuomo, who has control over the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. It was against that backdrop that Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat, declared a state of emergency in the subways last June, and convened a task force, Fix NYC, to come up with remedies.

So far, many subway riders, transit advocates and business leaders have applauded the contours of the plan, saying that the city’s economy is at stake. Even Mayor Bill de Blasio, a Democrat and proud Brooklynite who has opposed congestion pricing, called it “definitely a step in the right direction.”

At the rally on Sunday, Jon Orcutt, a former director of policy at the city’s Transportation Department, said the new proposal benefited from having Mr. Cuomo’s full attention. “With the governor leading it, we’re at a better starting point,” said Mr. Orcutt, who is now the director of communications and advocacy for Transit Center, a research organization. “I’d say we’re at the 50-yard line.”

Rebecca Bailin, campaign manager for Riders Alliance, a transit advocacy group, directed more of her attention at Mr. Weprin and his coalition of about a dozen elected officials, community leaders and small business owners.

“We’re demanding that Assemblymember Weprin stop grandstanding at the expense of struggling New Yorkers and be part of the solution instead,” Ms. Bailin said.

But Mr. Weprin and those with him were unbowed. They called the plan “Orwellian,” and said it was a “shakedown” that would hurt truck drivers, small businesses and middle-class Queens residents.

“This is an idea that will reach into the wallets of the people I represent,” said Councilman Barry S. Grodenchik of eastern Queens, noting that his district did not have a subway or a Long Island Rail Road stop. “If you think that this is going to reduce congestion, I have a better idea for you — go wait for the Titanic to show up in New York Harbor.”