Transport Workers Union International President John Samuelsen issued the following statement after New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced she is delaying congestion pricing in New York City.

“This debacle was wholly caused by Governor Kathy Hochul letting MTA Chair Janno Lieber lead her around like a stooge,” Samuelsen said. “Congestion pricing without massive upfront new service increases is a betrayal of blue-collar New Yorkers from the outer boroughs and suburbs.”

Samuelsen said in a Fox Business interview in March that implementing congestion pricing without increasing service would lead to a “massive political fallout” for Hochul.

The TWU represents more than 40,000 transit workers, including Bus and Subway Operators, in New York City.