Gov. Kathy Hochul is doubling down on congestion pricing, aiming to launch the controversial tolling program by January. Hochul says the plan will encourage subway use and help fund the MTA’s $15 billion upgrades, despite critics calling it a financial burden on drivers.

Congestion pricing will start in January with a $9 toll, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Thursday. Hochul wants to restart the program with a lower cost, which is why it's being reduced from $15 for most daytime trips into Manhattan's Central Business District.

Hochul had put the plan on "pause" in June just before the originally proposed toll of $15 was set to take effect.