New York Congestion Toll Deadline Extended Amid Dispute

New York Congestion Toll Deadline Extended Amid Dispute \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Trump administration extended New York’s deadline by 30 days to end its $9 Manhattan congestion toll. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized state officials for resisting federal orders and legal challenges. New York leaders remain firm, citing success in reducing traffic and raising transit funds.

Trump Administration Delays Deadline on NYC Congestion Toll Quick Looks

• Trump administration extended the deadline for New York to end the $9 toll.
• U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy granted an extra 30 days.
• Duffy accused New York of “disrespect” and warned of funding consequences.
• New York Gov. Kathy Hochul refuses to halt the program.
• The toll began January 5, reducing traffic and raising transit revenue.
• Trump revoked federal approval, calling the fee unfair to working Americans.
• MTA Chair Janno Lieber says the administration lacks authority to rescind.
• Hochul has met with Trump twice to defend the toll.
• State officials report fewer cars and faster commutes into Manhattan.
• The toll is projected to raise $500 million by year’s end.

Deep Look

The Trump administration has intensified its standoff with New York over the state’s controversial $9 Manhattan congestion toll, though it temporarily pushed back the enforcement deadline by 30 days. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the extension Thursday, stating that “discussions continue” but delivering a stern warning to state officials who have refused to comply.

Duffy’s message, posted in a strongly worded statement on X (formerly Twitter), did little to soften tensions. He accused New York leadership of disrespect toward the federal government, writing, “Your refusal to end cordon pricing and your open disrespect towards the federal government is unacceptable. Know that the billions of dollars the federal government sends to New York are not a blank check. Continued noncompliance will not be taken lightly.”

At the center of this dispute is New York’s first-in-the-nation congestion pricing plan, which began on January 5, charging most drivers $9 to enter Manhattan’s most congested zones. The system is enforced via traffic cameras that track vehicles crossing into the toll zone, applying charges automatically. The revenue is crucial for funding improvements to New York City’s aging public transportation system, with projections of $500 million in revenue by year’s end.

The congestion pricing initiative has already shown results, according to reports from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). State officials say that thousands fewer vehicles are entering Manhattan daily, contributing to reduced congestion, quicker commutes, and improved safety on city streets.

Despite mounting federal pressure, Governor Kathy Hochul and MTA Chairman Janno Lieber remain defiant. Hochul’s office dismissed Duffy’s warning, with spokesperson Avi Small saying, “We’ve seen Secretary Duffy’s tweet, which doesn’t change what Governor Hochul has been saying all along: the cameras are staying on.”

Lieber reinforced the state’s position earlier in the week, stating that the Trump administration lacks the legal authority to revoke federal approvals granted under President Joe Biden. “Nothing is going to change, and we are very confident that there won’t be a rollback of congestion pricing because the program stepped through every hoop on the way to getting that federal approval,” Lieber said at Penn Station. “It can’t be unilaterally rescinded.”

Trump’s opposition to the toll is personal as well as political. With his Trump Tower penthouse and other properties located within the congestion zone, the former president has long opposed the fee, calling it a penalty on working Americans and small business owners. Duffy echoed this sentiment, describing the toll as a “slap in the face to working-class Americans.”

The administration’s rescinding of the congestion toll’s federal approval last month sparked immediate legal action from New York state officials, the MTA, and advocacy groups. They argue that the plan underwent a rigorous, multi-year environmental review and public input process, culminating in federal approval under the Biden administration. Revoking that approval, they claim, is both arbitrary and beyond the executive branch’s legal authority.

Governor Hochul has met privately with President Trump on at least two occasions in recent weeks, attempting to persuade him to drop his administration’s opposition. So far, those discussions have not swayed the White House.

Montana and other major global cities — including London, Stockholm, Milan, and Singapore — have successfully used congestion pricing for years to manage traffic and environmental impacts. New York’s program, the first of its kind in the United States, was designed with these international models in mind.

New York officials argue that without this congestion pricing revenue, critical infrastructure upgrades to subways, buses, and commuter rail lines would stall. The MTA’s financial health remains heavily dependent on toll revenue, especially after pandemic-related ridership declines. The anticipated $500 million in 2024 would directly fund system improvements that benefit millions of daily commuters.

Adding to the stakes are federal funding concerns. Duffy’s warning that continued noncompliance could impact the billions of dollars in federal funds allocated to New York underscores the severity of the standoff. These federal funds support numerous state projects and services, meaning that a prolonged dispute could have ripple effects far beyond Manhattan’s traffic flow.

The MTA remains confident that congestion pricing will remain in place, backed by legal precedent and comprehensive federal reviews. “The status quo remains, which means everyone can continue to expect less traffic, faster commutes, and safer streets in Manhattan,” MTA spokesperson John McCarthy reiterated.

Legal experts predict a prolonged battle, with court rulings likely to play a key role in determining whether the Trump administration’s move to rescind federal approval can stand. If New York prevails, it could cement congestion pricing as a viable tool for American cities. If the federal government succeeds, it could set a precedent for greater executive interference in state and local transportation policy.

Meanwhile, for New Yorkers, the program is already delivering tangible results. Reports show that fewer cars are entering midtown Manhattan, and drivers who still make the trip report faster drive times on bridges, tunnels, and major cross streets. Transit advocates argue that rolling back congestion pricing would not only worsen traffic but also jeopardize planned public transportation upgrades that are essential to New York’s long-term growth and sustainability.

As the new 30-day extension counts down, pressure mounts on both sides. Trump’s administration is faced with legal challenges and political pushback, while New York leaders are standing firm, with public transportation improvements and environmental goals hanging in the balance. The eventual outcome will have significant implications not just for New York, but for cities across the country watching to see if congestion pricing can survive federal interference.

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