New York, NY – The Trump administration has taken decisive action to eliminate New York City’s controversial congestion charge, a policy that has been widely criticized by drivers.
In a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the Federal Highway Administration had revoked federal approval for the tolling program. Duffy stated that the administration would work with the New York State Department of Transportation to implement an “orderly termination” of the tolls. However, no date has been provided for when the reversal will take effect.
The congestion pricing plan, which requires motorists to pay a $9 daily fee to enter lower Manhattan below 60th Street, had finally gone into effect on January 5, 2025, following years of debate and delays.
President Donald Trump, who had pledged to dismantle the program during his campaign, celebrated the move, likening himself to royalty.
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“CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!” — Donald Trump, via Truth Social
New York Governor Fights Back
Governor Kathy Hochul swiftly responded to Trump’s statement, dismissing his declaration of victory and asserting her administration’s intent to fight the decision in court.
“We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king. The MTA has initiated legal proceedings in the Southern District of New York to preserve this critical program. We’ll see you in court.” — Governor Kathy Hochul
Congestion Pricing’s Impact & The Growing Divide
Governor Hochul defended the congestion pricing plan, arguing that it had significantly reduced traffic congestion in Manhattan.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) reported that weekday traffic inside the congestion zone during the first week of February was down by 9% compared to the previous year. Hochul further claimed that support for the policy was increasing daily, despite its critics.
However, Sean Duffy called the congestion pricing program “backwards and unfair,” saying it disproportionately affects working-class Americans and small business owners.
share the president’s concerns about the impact on working-class Americans who now have an additional financial burden to account for in their daily lives.” — Sean Duffy, U.S. Transportation Secretary
The battle over congestion pricing has also drawn in New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, who has long opposed the program and launched several legal challenges against it.
Murphy and other opponents argue that congestion pricing unfairly penalizes commuters from New Jersey and outer borough residents, many of whom have limited public transportation options.
While congestion pricing was designed to reduce traffic, cut emissions, and generate revenue for public transit, its implementation has remained politically divisive.
Last summer, Governor Hochul temporarily paused the plan, fearing that it could negatively impact local Democratic candidates in upcoming elections.
With Trump’s administration pulling federal approval and Hochul taking the case to court, New York’s congestion pricing policy is now at the center of a high-stakes legal and political battle.
Will Trump successfully dismantle the program, or will Hochul and the MTA prevail in their legal fight to keep it in place?
Stay tuned as New Daily Prime continues to bring you the latest updates on this developing story
