On Wednesday, the Trump administration pulled federal approval of congestion pricing ($9 base toll) into midtown Manhattan. According to the new Federal Department of Transportation, congestion pricing runs counter to the federal highway aid program, which prohibits tolling on roads built with federal funds.
This first in the nation congestion pricing plan was instituted on January 5, 2025, making NYC the most expensive city in the U.S. to drive in. As a result, so far in January, traffic to Manhattan was down 9% and 1.2 million fewer vehicles entered mid-town.
The Trump administration and NJ Governor Murphy said it hurts working class Americans and small business owners. It is a money grab to line the coffers of the money-losing MTA (which operates Metro North) and turns NYC into a place for the elite who can afford it.
NY Governor Kathy Hochul, in a defiant press conference at Grand Central, vowed the toll will continue while MTA's federal lawsuit plays out. Hochul and CT Governor Lamont said less traffic and more use of public transportation is good for the environment.
Between the Lines - Does anyone factor in the knock on effect that these tolls have in making NYC an even more expensive place to operate a business and attract visitors?