Trump Administration Takes Action to Halt New York City Congestion Fees

 Trump Administration Takes Action to Halt New York City Congestion Fees

Trump Administration Moves to Block New York City's Congestion Pricing Plan

The Trump administration is taking steps to shut down New York City's congestion pricing plan, which charges vehicles entering certain parts of the city and uses the toll revenue to improve the city's aging transit infrastructure.

Federal officials argue that highways leading into the city fall under their jurisdiction and are revoking approval for the program, citing concerns that it places an unfair financial burden on working-class residents in the region.

"CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD," President Trump declared on social media. "Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!"

New York, which only launched the program last month, is pushing back, insisting that congestion pricing is already helping to reduce traffic and improve travel times. "We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king," New York Gov. Kathy Hochul responded. "We'll see you in court."

Trump Administration Moves to Shut Down NYC Congestion Pricing Plan

New York City's congestion pricing program imposes a $9 (£7.15) toll on vehicles entering Manhattan south of 60th Street, including the Financial District. The toll applies on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has now moved to revoke the program’s approval, informing Gov. Kathy Hochul that the federal government will work to stop the tolls.

Calling the plan a "slap in the face to working-class Americans," Duffy argued that commuters already contribute to highway construction and maintenance through gas and other taxes. "This toll program leaves drivers with no free highway alternative and unfairly takes more money from working people to fund a transit system instead of highways. It's backwards and unfair," he said.

New York officials quickly vowed to challenge the decision. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) filed a legal request Wednesday, asking a judge to issue a declaratory judgment blocking the Trump administration from dismantling the program.

Hochul Fires Back at Trump Over NYC Congestion Pricing Ban

Gov. Kathy Hochul vowed that New York’s congestion pricing tolls will continue, delivering a fiery speech at a subway station on Wednesday in which she accused former President Donald Trump of trampling on states' rights as part of his "revenge tour."

"New York hasn't labored under a king in over 250 years, and we sure as hell are not going to start now," Hochul declared. "This is an attack on our sovereign identity, our independence from Washington. We are a nation of states. This is what we fought for."

She held up a post from the official White House account on X, which featured Trump on a fake magazine cover wearing a crown with the caption, "long live the king."

"We are not subservient to a king or anyone else out of Washington," Hochul said. "This fight is about our sovereignty."

Hochul and transit officials defended the congestion pricing plan, arguing it has already delivered results. Since its launch last month, traffic has dropped by 9%, accidents have been cut in half, and more commuters are turning to alternative transportation, including the subway. Officials say the tolls not only ease congestion but also generate crucial funding for the city's aging transit system, which has long struggled with flooding and maintenance issues.

Meanwhile, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a longtime opponent of congestion pricing, welcomed the Trump administration's intervention. He had sent a letter to Trump on the day of his inauguration, urging a review of the program’s impact on New Jersey commuters.

On Wednesday, Murphy praised the administration’s decision, calling the program an unfair “burden” on out-of-state workers.