Trump's Transportation Secretary Sets Harsh Deadline for Hochul to Halt Congestion Pricing Toll Accumulation
Revamped Article
On 'Good Day New York', co-host Rosanna Scotto discusses business owners trying to ease the consequences of congestion pricing and updates on the city's migrant shelters, while delving into the ongoing controversy surrounding congestion pricing tolls.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned New York Gov. Kathy Hochul that potential serious consequences are on the horizon if the state neglects to scrap the congestion pricing toll by May 21, as stated in a letter obtained by Fox News.
In the letter, Duffy gave the state an additional month to shut down or justify why it's not breaking the law with the $9 fee for most vehicles entering Manhattan's core south of Central Park. If the state doesn't comply, Duffy warned that it could face losing federal funding and approvals for certain projects from the Federal Highway Administration.
"The federal government isn't gonna shell out billions to New York if Governor Hochul keeps implementing an illegal toll to bail out the ailing transit system of New York," Duffy mentioned in a statement after the letter was issued, threatening another chance for New York to reverse course or demonstrate their actions are legal.
Initially, Duffy set a deadline of March 21 to stop charging the toll. When the state's Metropolitan Transportation Authority challenged Duffy's decision in federal court, he extended the deadline an extra month to April 20.
*CONSERVATIVE GROUP PUSH FOR HOLD ON FEDERAL FUNDING FOR CALIFORNIA HIGH-SPEED RAIL*
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that New York could lose federal funding and approvals for certain projects from the Federal Highway Administration if the state's congestion pricing tolls remain in place. (Chris Kleponis/CNP/Bloomberg, File / Getty Images)
Supporters claim the congestive pricing tolls are aimed at countering Manhattan's infamous traffic jams.
A street sign on 11th Avenue in NYC alerts drivers that the Congestion Relief Zone starts south of 61st Street. (Deb Cohn-Orbach/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images, File / Getty Images)
*BLUE STATE WORKERS RALLY AROUND TOP TRUMP OFFICIAL CRACKING DOWN ON CONGESTION PRICING: 'BORDERLINE THEFT'*
The toll amount varies based on vehicle type and time of day, with most passenger cars paying $9 to enter Manhattan south of Central Park during peak weekday and weekend periods.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has publicly stated her intention to defend the congestion pricing toll program. (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images, File / Getty Images)
According to preliminary reports, opposition to congestion pricing has weakened since implementation, with just 40% of NYC residents now advocating for its elimination (down from 56% before implementation)[1]. As the tolls have been in place for three months, the MTA has reported approximately 60,000 fewer daily vehicles entering the Congestion Relief Zone and a 70% drop in honking complaints[1]. Revenue has surpassed expectations, generating $48.6 million in the initial month, surpassing the estimated $40 million[1].
The U.S. Department of Transportation has set a deadline of May 28 for New York to halt tolling or face escalating penalties[2]. If noncompliance persists, consequences could include:- Funding restrictions that would initially impact Manhattan projects and spread citywide if tolling continues[2].- Legal challenges alleging the program violates the "user-pay" principle of federal highway funding and disproportionately affects lower-income drivers[2].
The MTA and New York officials claim the program is legally sound and effective[2], with Governor Kathy Hochul asserting "the cameras are staying on"[2]. Based on current litigation timelines, the policy is expected to keep running through court challenges in the near future[1].
[1] The New York Times: Congestion Pricing Takes Effect in New York City (March 31, 2025)[2] Politico: Transportation Dept. sets May 28 deadline for NY to stop congestion pricing or risk federal funding (April 10, 2025)
- The federal government, through Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, has warned New York that it could face losing federal funding and approvals for certain projects if the congestion pricing tolls remain in place.
- Opposition to congestion pricing has weakened since its implementation, with only 40% of NYC residents now advocating for its elimination, down from 56% before implementation.
- The MTA has reported approximately 60,000 fewer daily vehicles entering the Congestion Relief Zone and a 70% drop in honking complaints since the tolls have been in place.
- The U.S. Department of Transportation has set a deadline of May 28 for New York to halt tolling or face escalating penalties, which could include funding restrictions impacting Manhattan projects and spreading citywide if tolling continues.
- The ongoing controversy surrounding congestion pricing tolls has drawn the attention of various conservative groups, workers, and even some political figures, with debates revolving around user-pay principles, legality, and risks for federal funding.
