USDOT revokes approval of NYC congestion toll; Hochul, MTA vow to fight decision

The Trump administration yesterday announced it is revoking federal approval of New York City's traffic congestion relief program, which charges drivers a toll when entering Manhattan's central business district. 

In a letter to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the U.S. Department of Transportation is revoking its November 2024 agreement with the state that allowed the congestion toll, which Duffy described as "backwards and unfair." 

The toll went into effect a few weeks ago; the revenue it generates would fund subway and other transit projects at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

In response, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and MTA Chair and CEO Jenno Lieber vowed to fight the USDOT in federal court. The toll has "already dramatically reduced congestion, bringing reduced traffic and faster travel times, while increasing speeds for buses and emergency vehicles," Lieber said in a prepared statement.

"I don't care if you love congestion pricing or hate it. This is an attack on our sovereign identity, our independence from Washington," Hochul said in a prepared statement. "And we are a nation of states. This is what we fought for. This is what people like Alexander Hamilton and others fought for: To set up a system where we are not subservient to a king or anyone else out of Washington.”

Shortly after the USDOT letter was issued, The White House posted on social media: "CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!"