Transportation secretary warns of consequences if congestion pricing continues
By: Thomas C. Zambito
New York State Team
USA Today Network
..... The Trump administration on April 21 [2025] threatened to stall federal funding for Manhattan road projects if New York Governor Kathy Hochul does not back down from her support for congestion pricing.
..... In a letter to Hochul, U.S. transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the state "risks serious consequences" if it fails to comply with his February 19 [2025] decision terminating an agreement made with the Biden administration authorizing the Manhattan tolling program.
..... "President Trump and I will not sit back while Governor Hochul engages in calls warfare and prices working-class Americans out of accessing New York City," Duffy said. "The federal government sends billions to New York - but we won't foot the bill if Governor Hochul continues to implement an illegal failing backfill the budget of New York's transit system. We are giving New York one last chance to turn back or prove their actions are not illegal.
..... Duffy said the state's decision to continue collecting tools form most vehicles entering Manhattan at 60th Street and below ignores the April 20 [2025] deadline he set for compliance and is "in open defiance of Federal law." He gave the state Department of Transpiration until May 21 [2025] to either stop collecting tolls or demonstrate how the program does not violate federal law.
..... If not, the Federal Highway Administration will consider withholding federal funding for Manhattan road projects except those that impact safety. And, if the state continues with the tolls, funding for projects in other parts of the state, could be jeopardized, the letter says.
..... The Hochul administration says the tools will not come down without a judge's order. and the Metropolitan Transpiration Authority is suing the federal government to keep the tolls in place.
..... "I received the letter from USDOT extending their congestion pricing threats once again," Hochul said in a statement. "I repeat: congestion pricing is legal - and it's working. Traffic is down, business is up and the cameras are staying on."
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The letter represents the latest salvo in the contentious battle between the state and the Trump administration ofter the MTA's controversial tolling program, designed to reduce congestion in Manhattan's business district while generating 415 billion in revenue for MTA projects like new subway cars.
..... Last month, [03/2025] Duffy threatened to withheld federal funding for the MTA if the agency did not do more to ensure the safety of subway and bus riders. The MTA responded by saying crime in the subways is down nearly 50% during the first tow moths of this year [2025] compared to the same period in 2020, before the pandemic began, and down 24% from the same period in 2024.
..... Duffy said the tolling program "imposes a disproportionate financial hardship on low and medium-income hardworking American drivers." And he claims the program reflects the Biden administration's preference for public transit systems over highway improvement projects.
..... "Under this Administration, FHWA policy will no longer support this type of project or policy," the letter adds.
..... Last week, [04/17/2025] a federal judge rejected claims made by the Trucking Association of New York and others who've sued to stop the tolling.
..... TANY President Kendra Hems said the state's truckers will "not back down: despite U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Liman's decision.
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"As we have said all along, while we are not inherently against congestion pricing, the current plan unfairly and unlawfully targets trucking operators charging them at a higher rate and on a per-trip rather than a per-day basis," Hems said. "Unlike passenger vehicles, there is no viable alternative options for trucks that must operate in the congestion zone to deliver essential goods to residents, businesses, health care facilities, and more."