On Friday, Gov. Kathy Hochul went wild on the LIRR, posting a photo of herself on the train and raving about the “amazing ride.” All the while, he had a convoy of taxpayer-funded cars pick him up from Manhattan at the station.
The Democrat was accused of being a “charlatan” after taking a train from Penn Station to Syosset. There, a state police officer picked her up in an SUV and drove her about 15 minutes to Crest Hollow Country Club for the event.
“I rode the Long Island Rail Road this morning. It was a great ride, a great ride, and I encourage everyone to do the same,” Hochul said of the “connectivity” of the rail corridor. before waxing poetic about the issue at a gathering of local officials and business leaders.
“The Long Island Railroad is a link to everything,” she said.
Hochul posted a photo of himself editing his remarks on a tablet while on a train before speaking at the Long Island Association of Business Associations' annual report event.
“Putting the finishing touches on my speech while riding the @LIRR. Long Island Rail Road's on-time performance last year was 95.65%, one of the best in history,” she posted.
But Hochul said that at the same time she was posing for photos, her security personnel drove her SUV 30 miles from Manhattan to pick her up in Syosset and take her to a country club. He did not mention that he was taking them to other events around the country. day.
“Kathy Hochul wants people to ride trains and subways, but she refuses to continue riding herself to go to taxpayer-funded propaganda events.'' 2026 Challenge Hudson Valley Congressman Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), a regular candidate, told The News. post.
“No wonder her approval ratings are low. She's a total charlatan.”
Long Island officials also slammed Mr. Hochul for the photo shoot, saying he urged Long Islanders to avoid a new $9 congestion charge for driving below 60th Street in Manhattan. He pointed out that he was asking people to take the train if they wanted to.
“Kathy Hochul tells Long Island residents that if they don't want to pay a new commuter tax here, they should get out of their cars and take the LIRR, but they can't go to the same places by car or take the train. It’s her responsibility to ride,” said Rep. Ed Ra (R-Nassau), criticizing the governor’s congestion pricing.
“New Yorkers need real efforts to make transportation safer and more affordable, not just a photo op.”
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said, “The average working-class commuter cannot afford to travel with six state troopers and trust in the safety of train, subway, and bus travel.'' “Passenger numbers will continue to decline until the economy recovers,” he added. ”
Not only will Hochul state police SUVs be exempt from the phased-in $15 congestion charge, the Post exclusively reported in 2022, but most speed cameras can't even read license plates. has become clear.
Tim Minton, director of communications for the MTA, said Friday that Hochul had pledged to send $9 in personal funds to the agency for each day he spent in New York City.
Hochul has been trying to persuade New Yorkers to take transit since deciding last fall to move forward with congestion pricing.
Last month, the governor held a press conference in a Putnam County vehicle with Jano Lieber, chairman and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
On Monday, the first weekday after the toll went into effect, Hochul said he rode Metro-North into the city that morning.
“Although all police and other emergency vehicles are exempt from congestion relief fees by law, the Governor's Office previously announced that at the end of the year, the MTA would use personal funds to transfer $9 to the MTA to pay the daily fee.” in New York City. ”
