The clash over New York City's congestion pricing has reached a critical point as a federal deadline, set for Friday, threatens to halt the tolling program. The Federal Highway Administration, during the Trump administration, mandated the collection of tolls to cease on this date, a move met with resistance by NYC and state officials. According to CBS News New York, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber reassured that the program would persist, noting its success in reducing travel times and improving air quality.
Caught in the back-and-forth, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has signaled an unwavering stance, opposing the shutdown. In spite of the looming deadline, she affirmed, "The cameras are staying on," as reported by Silive. This sentiment was echoed in another meeting where she highlighted an orderly resistance to any attempts made by the federal government to dismantle the program that has dramatically cut down the number of vehicles entering Manhattan's Congestion Relief Zone.
The MTA, under Lieber's leadership, has not only voiced its confidence in the continued operation of congestion pricing but has also legally countered by filing a lawsuit challenging the federal government's authority to rescind the approval unilaterally. New York officials, including Hochul and Lieber, argue that the program has legitimately navigated through all federal requirements, therefore cannot be just shut down, according to CBS News New York.
On the other side of the debate, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island) has been a vocal opponent, stating, "The cash grab is over. Governor Hochul needs to follow the law and turn the congestion pricing cameras off," in remarks captured by Silive. Despite calls for compliance with the federal directive, New York's executive branch remains ready to battle the federal government's decision in court.
The congestion pricing scheme has seen notable improvements in the city's traffic conditions, with a reported decrease of around 1 million vehicles entering the designated zone and travel time improvements ranging from 10% to 30% on average. These statistics, serviced by the MTA, indicate the tangible results of the program, which aims to alleviate traffic and fund public transportation upgrades, as detailed by Silive.
