The Trump administration is urging New York City to halt its congestion pricing program, an automatic toll initiative designed to alleviate the bumper-to-bumper traffic in the city’s business district below 60th Street. In response, New York’s governor is standing firm against this directive.
In a letter dated February 20, which was disclosed publicly on Wednesday, Gloria Shepherd, the executive director of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), informed New York City and state transportation officials that FHWA representatives would reach out to discuss the “orderly cessation of toll operations” under the Central Business District Tolling Program. Shepherd indicated that the termination of this program should take effect on March 21.
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York, alongside the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), has initiated legal action to prevent the discontinuation of the toll operation that federal authorities had previously approved, which has generated millions of dollars for New York City since its launch in January.
During a recent MTA board meeting, Hochul expressed her concerns, stating that while the federal government has called for an “orderly cessation” of the program, she is advocating for “orderly resistance.” She emphasized the impact of transportation issues on New Yorkers, saying, “I guarantee that the president has never had to endure missing a child’s sporting event because they were stuck on a delayed train. Never had to stand in a flooded subway station because we were not able to make the repairs. Not sitting in traffic, missing an important meeting because you couldn’t get around.”
The congestion pricing program commenced on January 5, with toll revenues amounting to $48.66 million from January 5 to January 31, resulting in a net revenue of $37.5 million. MTA CEO Janno Lieber stated that the toll program is projected to generate approximately $500 million for the MTA by the end of the year, facilitating the authority’s plans for enhancements to bus, subway, and transit services.