NEW YORK — Gov. Kathy Hochul put the kibosh on the MTA’s plan to boost congestion pricing in Manhattan during times of extreme gridlock.

The MTA has floated plans to charge an additional 25% on top of the $9 it plans to tax drivers heading into the Big Apple’s congestion relief zone — an area that extends from 60th St. down to the southern tip of Manhattan — on days where heavy traffic is anticipated.

The additional charge would leave drivers paying $11.25 on up to 20 dates earmarked by the the city’s Department of Transportation as“Gridlock Alert” days.

But Hochul on Thursday said the MTA’s proposed tax increase was too high for city drivers already burdened by the country’s first-of-its-kind congestion pricing policy.

The move drew criticism from both sides of the issue.

Proponents argue the current policy as it is doesn’t do enough to alleviate traffic and fear the governor will take further steps to dismantle the controversial program.

“Hochul just *quietly* announced she’s blocking variable tolls on gridlock alert days — a policy that’s been in the plan since day one,” Transportation Alternatives posted on X on Thursday. ” New Yorkers deserve leaders, not pushovers.”

Critics of congestion pricing remain opposed to any measure that falls short of eliminating the program entirely.

“The level of incompetence is truly breathtaking,” Republican Rep. Mike Lawler wrote on X in response to Hochul’s announcement. “Kill this program!”

The state’s congestion pricing plan is scheduled to debut on Sunday, Jan. 5.

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