Thu Feb 20 04:22:51 UTC 2025: ## Trump Halts New York City’s Congestion Pricing Plan; Lawsuit Follows

**New York, NY – February 20, 2025** – President Donald Trump’s administration has abruptly halted New York City’s congestion pricing program, a move immediately met with a lawsuit from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The program, launched January 5th, charged a $9 toll for most vehicles entering Manhattan south of Central Park, aiming to reduce traffic and fund transit improvements.

Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy cited the financial burden on “working-class Americans and small business owners” as the reason for the federal government’s rescission of approval. President Trump, whose Trump Tower falls within the congestion zone, celebrated the decision on Truth Social, declaring “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD.”

The MTA swiftly filed a federal lawsuit to challenge the decision, with Governor Kathy Hochul affirming the program’s continuation pending the legal outcome. Hochul criticized Trump’s action, stating New York “sure as hell are not going to start [laboring under a king] now.”

The congestion pricing plan, though novel in the US, mirrors similar initiatives in London, Stockholm, Milan, and Singapore. New York intended to use the revenue from the tolls to finance billions of dollars in transit upgrades for its aging system. The toll varied by vehicle size and time of day, with overnight rates lower than a subway fare.

While the program had garnered support from transit advocates and environmentalists for its potential to reduce pollution and improve traffic flow, it faced opposition from suburban commuters and residents in areas with limited subway access. State Senator Andrew Gounardes criticized Trump’s decision, predicting increased traffic, pollution, and slower bus service as consequences.

The plan, initially approved in 2019, faced years of delays before launching under the Biden administration. It also survived several legal challenges prior to its implementation, with opposition from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and initial hesitation from Governor Hochul, who temporarily suspended the launch last June before reinstating it in November after Trump’s election, at a reduced toll rate. New York City Mayor Eric Adams has largely avoided directly commenting on the conflict between the President and the State.

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