In the first week following the controversial rollout of congestion pricing, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has pushed forward with its green initiative, unveiling a future that hinges on electric buses. ABC7 New York reports that the MTA used collected toll funds to purchase a fleet of 265 electric buses, signaling a significant step toward an eco-friendly transformation. The new buses, designed to eliminate emissions, are slated for deployment across Queens, with the broader goal of a zero-emissions bus fleet citywide by 2040.

Jamaica local, Melissa Ponce, expressed both hope and a hint of skepticism to ABC7, noting that "We tend to neglect other neighborhoods like this one," yet hopeful that the clean bus initiative is "a harbinger of more improvements to come." The MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, however, is keeping a tight lid on the data gathered from the congestion toll's first week, stating, "We're having consistent reports that AM peak travel into the central business district (CBD) is much faster," but emphasized that the agency isn't ready to share figures just yet.

Meanwhile, on Long Island, Governor Kathy Hochul lauded the Long Island Rail Road's (LIRR) performance, citing a 95.6 percent on-time rate for 2024 and tying continued success to the sustained investment that congestion pricing income promises. "I need to have the resources to keep making investments so Long Island does not suffer," Hochul told ABC7, a narrative of seeking balance and guaranteeing progress underscored by the new funding method.

The first concrete proof of the congestion pricing tolls at work was highlighted in a press event with MTA's Lieber, who showcased the 40-foot, zero-emission buses. NBC New York reported that beyond the environmental benefits, community leaders like Queens Borough President Donovan Richards are pointing out health improvements, referring to the purchased buses aiding in battling the respiratory issues that plague areas like Astoria and Jamaica, commonly referred to as "Asthma Alley." Yet the specifics of how many drivers have been tolled or the exact proceeds of the initiative remain undefined, with the MTA still processing the data. According to Lieber, "About 10 to 20 percent of all detections actually get a person looking at them. To validate the system is working properly."

Critics, including Queens City Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers, raised concerns about the impact of congestion pricing on the average citizen, anxious about "what this means for their bottom line," as she relayed to NBC New York. Transparency remains a critical demand from both city and state lawmakers, like Queens State Sen. Leroy Comrie, who advocate for open disclosure on where the new transit funds are allocated, ensuring the public's comfort with the infrastructure's financing mechanisms.