Congestion-Pricing Baby Steps

Gov. Cuomo isn’t so much going ahead with a congestion-pricing plan for the city as he is laying the groundwork, which is fair enough.

The Quinnipiac poll shows that 52 percent of New Yorkers dislike the plan set out by the gov’s FixNYC panel, so plainly proponents have a lot of selling to do. Plus, the Qpoll also found 62 percent disapproval of how Cuomo is handling the MTA.

This indicates that fixing the agency must come first, even if the idea behind congestion pricing includes giving the MTA added funding from new tolls for driving in Manhattan below 60th Street.

What the gov does do, in amendments to his budget plan, is propose some early steps:

OK a pilot program to install red-light cameras in the proposed toll zone, using them to crack down on moving violations like “blocking the box” to test how that tech will play.

Get the Taxi and Limousine Commission to look at uniform technology for im- posing surcharges on Uber and other forhire vehicles.

Require the de Blasio administration to cut back on city-issued parking placards, letting drivers know that the pain will be shared more equally.

Yes, that last is another ding in the Cuomo-de Blasio feud, as were some nasty remarks (since walked back) from a Cuomo aide about how City Hall won’t be involved as the plan goes forward.

In fact, this scheme can’t work without serious support from city government— the Assembly wouldn’t go along, for starters. Plus, again, the subways need fixing first — and better bus service is a must, too.

It would help if the mayor stopped saying “millionaires tax” whenever the subject of new MTA funding comes up. He has every right (and duty) to demand the agency end its wasteful ways, but he’s got to come up with constructive contributions, and stop hiding behind an idea that just won’t fly in the Legislature.