Copyright Newsweek
President Donald Trump renewed his push to end New York City's congestion pricing program Monday, calling on Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy "to take a good, long look at terminating New York City Congestion Pricing," in a post to Truth Social. It is not the first time Trump has expressed his displeasure with the congestion pricing, having posted that he was putting Democratic New York Governor Kathy Hochul "on notice" over the program. His latest move has underscored the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and New York officials over long-standing issues including infrastructure funding, local autonomy and regulatory priorities. Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Department of Transportation and Hochul's office via email Monday night for comment. Why It Matters The outcome of this battle could have implications for other U.S. cities considering similar traffic management strategies, especially as the nation seeks to balance environmental concerns with economic recovery and daily commuter needs. It is also another example of Trump taking actions at the federal level for state programs with which he disagrees. What To Know In the post to Truth Social Monday, Trump called on Duffy to review and possibly terminate New York City's congestion pricing initiative. This comes amid a series of directives from federal authorities demanding that the city halt its toll program for drivers entering Manhattan's central business district. Earlier this year, Duffy said the tolls were "unlawful" and a burden on "hard-working Americans." Hochul's administration has countered that sentiment, voicing strong support for the congestion pricing program. Avi Small, spokesperson for Hochul, said the state would continue backing the tolling program as legal challenges move forward. State and city officials argue that the toll is critical for funding much-needed repairs and upgrades across New York's subway, bus and rail systems, The New York Times reported. On February 20, the U.S. Department of Transportation, led by the Federal Highway Administration, formally instructed New York officials to stop collecting tolls within the Central Business District Tolling Program area by March 21. The program's continuance has since remained contested in court, with the latest agreement pushing it through October. As of Monday, the program is still in effect, according to the NYC 311 website. The idea of congestion pricing in New York City dates to 2007, first proposed by then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg to reduce traffic and pollution. After failed attempts and political resistance, the plan returned under Governor Andrew Cuomo and was included in the 2019 state budget. The current program, launched on January 5, charges drivers a daily fee, initially $15 and later revised to $9 for most cars, for entering Manhattan south of 61st Street during peak hours. What People Are Saying Trump, in his post to Truth Social on Monday: "Governor Kathy Hochul of New York State is killing the entire region with Energy Prices that are OUT OF CONTROL, and expected to TRIPLE because she can’t get an Upstate and, separately, Long Island, PIPELINE built. All of Connecticut, including its Governor, and New England, are REALLY ANGRY AT HER. New York City is getting KILLED by her ridiculous CONGESTION PRICING, where people have to pay a fortune to come into Manhattan - So they just don’t come! The place is a ghost town. I am going to ask our Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, to take a good, long look at terminating New York City Congestion Pricing. The entire State is going to hell, so the Federal Government will, of necessity, get involved!" Duffy, on social media in March, per The New York Times: "These tolls are a slap in the face to hard-working Americans. We have given Governor Hochul more time to end this unlawful program, but further noncompliance will not be taken lightly." Hochul, in a public statement, The Guardian reported: "Actions like these by the federal government undermine critical infrastructure that supports New York City's economic future." What Happens Next The deadline for New York to deactivate the congestion pricing toll has been extended to allow more time for discussions between city, state and federal officials. Several legal challenges initiated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and other state agencies are ongoing, with court decisions expected to determine whether the tolling program can continue. If federal authorities proceed with enforcement, and state and city leaders maintain resistance, the matter could escalate to higher courts.
