Pols train sights on ‘congestion’

Next stop for New York’s legislators: congestion pricing.

State lawmakers are taking their push for new charges on cars and trucks in Midtown and points south directly to the New Yorkers who need it the most — subway riders.

The Riders Alliance will bring some of the city’s Albany representatives to the subway this week to hear from straphangers about their commuting troubles, and drum up support for the plan to help fix them.

State Sen. Michael Gianaris will kick off the “ride-along” campaign at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday with a trip out of the Queensboro Plaza station.

“Among many serious proposals to fund the system, congestion pricing stands out,” said Gianaris (D-Queens). “I hear from riders every day eager to see its potential realized as a way to make needed improvements to New York’s transit system.”

Gov. Cuomo has made congestion pricing a priority in upcoming budget negotiations — he threatened huge MTA fare hikes if the funding method isn’t passed by the Legislature.

State Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Brooklyn) is participating in several ride-alongs, beginning with one Thursday. Gounardes said he supports congestion pricing in general, but wants to see more details on how it will be implemented.

“Many of my constituents have resorted to driving into the city because of the unreliability of the subways and buses,” said Gounardes. “I cannot sign on to any plan that does not dedicate revenues solely and wholly to funding the MTA’s subway and bus system.”

Lawmakers have until the state’s budget deadline on April 1 to approve a congestion pricing plan.