The battle over New York City’s congestion pricing program has escalated into a full-blown political showdown after President Donald Trump’s administration moved to revoke federal support for the initiative. The controversial tolling plan, designed to ease traffic congestion in Manhattan’s business district while generating billions for public transit improvements, now faces an uncertain future as legal challenges mount.
The Federal Government Strikes Down the Toll Plan
In a stunning reversal, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul announcing that the Department of Transportation (DOT) was rescinding its approval of the congestion pricing program. The move effectively strips the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) of its authority to collect the $9 toll from most vehicles entering Manhattan south of 60th Street.
According to Duffy, the program unfairly burdens working-class Americans and small business owners. The DOT argued that the toll violates federal highway laws by failing to provide a toll-free alternative for drivers while prioritizing revenue generation for the MTA over congestion relief.
“The purpose of the Value Pricing Pilot Program (VPPP) is to impose tolls for congestion reduction—not as a cash grab for transit funding,” the DOT’s statement read.
Political Firestorm Erupts
The Trump administration’s move ignited an immediate backlash from Governor Hochul and the MTA, who vowed to take legal action against the federal government. During a fiery press conference at Grand Central Terminal, Hochul framed the issue as an attack on New York’s autonomy, defiantly declaring that the city “hasn’t labored under a king for over 250 years” and would not start now.
She pointed to Trump’s influence as a primary reason for the program’s suspension, accusing him of using his position to undermine the city for political gain. Holding up a TIME magazine cover featuring Trump, Hochul warned New Yorkers that if they find themselves stuck in traffic, they now know who to blame.
Janno Lieber, chairman of the MTA, also condemned the decision, calling it “mystifying” given the years of federal oversight and approval that preceded the program’s launch. The MTA wasted no time filing legal papers in federal court, arguing that the program had already demonstrated positive impacts, including reduced traffic congestion and faster travel times for buses and emergency vehicles.
Trump’s Influence and the Politics of Congestion Pricing
President Trump has long been an outspoken critic of congestion pricing, often characterizing it as an unfair tax on drivers. Following the DOT’s announcement, Trump took to social media to celebrate the program’s demise, declaring “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED.”
Opposition to the program has not been limited to Trump and his administration. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who previously sued to block the tolls, welcomed the decision, calling congestion pricing a scheme that unfairly penalized New Jersey commuters.
On the other hand, New York’s construction and transit advocates have criticized Trump’s move as shortsighted. The program was expected to generate over $1 billion annually, funds that would be leveraged to support major infrastructure projects, including subway and bus system upgrades. With that revenue now in jeopardy, transit advocates fear long-term consequences for the city’s transportation network.
Does Congestion Pricing Work?
Despite its detractors, early data suggested the congestion pricing program was beginning to achieve its intended goals. MTA reports from January showed that traffic in lower Manhattan had dropped by approximately 7.5% compared to the previous year. Travel times during peak hours improved, with some routes seeing up to a 30% decrease in congestion.
Interestingly, foot traffic in Manhattan’s business districts increased, with more visitors shopping and dining in the area. Broadway attendance also rose by 17%, challenging the narrative that the tolls would hurt businesses.
The Road Ahead
With legal battles looming, the future of congestion pricing in New York City remains uncertain. Governor Hochul and the MTA are determined to fight the federal government’s decision in court, while Trump and his allies continue to frame the program as an economic burden on drivers.
As the case moves through the courts, New Yorkers are left wondering what’s next. If congestion pricing is permanently scrapped, the city will need to find alternative revenue sources to fund its aging transit system. Meanwhile, those who supported the tolls as a means of improving traffic conditions may find themselves back in gridlock.
What’s clear is that the debate over congestion pricing is far from over. Whether the courts reinstate the program or Trump’s decision holds, the battle for New York’s roads has only just begun.
