Congestion pricing leaves a bad taste in his mouth.
The owner of a New York City diner name-dropped by Gov. Kathy Hochul said she never comes by anymore — but he’s afraid her controversial $9 congestion toll can put him out of business.
Hochul repeatedly insisted Thursday she talks to regular folks at diners who support the new fee for drivers in Manhattan below 60th Street, but Comfort Diner owner Tarek Soliman said he hasn’t seen much of the politician after her 2022 gubernatorial race.
“After the election, she doesn’t come. She must have changed,” Soliman said.
“Before the election, she comes all the time.”
Soliman, who lives in Queens, said Hochul’s driving fee is a financial burden that will discourage customers in the outer boroughs and New Jersey from stopping in for a meal.