On Wednesday, February 26th, the federal government issued an order requiring the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to terminate New York City’s congestion pricing plan by March 21, 2025. New York Governor Hochu responded on that day, stating that New York would not comply with this order.
The order was issued in a letter from Gloria Shepherd, the Acting Director of the Federal Highway Administration, last Thursday, February 20th, and was made public on Wednesday. On the 26th, MTA shared a copy of this letter, instructing MTA as well as the city and state transportation departments to join the federal government in “discussing the orderly cessation of congestion pricing operations” and giving MTA one month to implement the cessation plan.
MTA is suing the U.S. Department of Transportation, claiming that the federal government does not have the legal authority to revoke approval for congestion pricing. The lawsuit argues that the plan has been successful in reducing congestion in targeted areas and raising funds for critical transportation infrastructure improvements.
Last week, Governor Hochu met with President Trump and presented a document outlining the success of congestion pricing, but the governor admitted she did not persuade the president.
MTA Chairman Janno Lieber stated to the public that congestion pricing cameras will remain active until a federal judge orders otherwise.
“The important thing is that it won’t stop unless the court orders it, and right now we have a case being tried in lower Manhattan,” Lieber said. “We are very, very optimistic about the next steps.”
The governor attended MTA’s board meeting on Wednesday, where she made it clear that she would not comply with the federal order.
“There is a huge gap between the reality faced by New Yorkers and the White House’s view of reality… I know the Oval Office has a lot of power, but I will compare that power to the power of 6 million angry commuters in New York City,” Hochu said. “Public transportation is now facing a survival threat from Washington, whether in terms of overall funding or attacks on congestion pricing… New Yorkers will not back down – it’s not in our nature, it’s not our DNA, it’s not what we can do.”
The governor mentioned that she had “an interesting trip to the White House last week, and I did my best,” but she added, “the fight is not over,” and “we will continue to stand up for New Yorkers.”
The organization “Passenger Alliance,” which supports MTA, released a statement saying they were “glad to see Governor Hochu supporting congestion pricing from the courts all the way to the White House,” noting that “more and more people are supporting congestion pricing.”
However, in recent interviews, many drivers and small business owners expressed opposition to congestion pricing. Chinatown community leader Yu Jinshan had previously stated that Chinatown supported ending congestion pricing.
“Congestion pricing has increased the cost of freight transportation, weakened Chinatown’s competitive advantage, and even residents have to pay to drive home,” he told the newspaper. “This policy is essentially ‘taxation and money-grabbing’.”