The Trump administration has imposed a strict deadline for New York Governor Kathy Hochul to dismantle the congestion pricing program, warning that failure to comply could result in the loss of certain federal funds.
The warning comes amid newly released data showing an uptick in traffic within the congestion zone since the program began.
According to the most recent figures from the MTA, while 410,000 vehicles were recorded entering the zone on its launch day, that figure surged to over 524,000 by May 10.
Traffic bottlenecks were visible Tuesday on 10th Avenue near the Lincoln Tunnel. Uber driver Victor Pinales described a frustrating situation where driving isn’t paying off. “You pay a lot of money for congestion fee and the traffic not change. It’s a mess,” Pinales said.
Nevertheless, the MTA maintains that the average number of vehicles entering the zone in April was still down by 12% compared to pre-program levels.
Despite this reduction, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has called for the initiative to be scrapped, citing concerns over fairness and fiscal responsibility. In a letter to Gov. Hochul last month, he criticized the $9 toll, calling it “… a breach of promise made to the hardworking American taxpayers whose gas taxes have funded the existing federal-aid highway system in this area.”
Duffy warned that if New York proceeds with the tolling plan, it could jeopardize approval for a range of infrastructure efforts in Manhattan, excluding those deemed necessary for public safety.
Sam Schwartz, a former commissioner of New York City’s Department of Transportation, cautioned that several critical projects could be affected. “Jobs like Second Avenue Subway or other transit jobs, and there was even in the secretary’s letter a threat to highway funds that includes the BQE in Brooklyn, the Cross Bronx Expressway,” he said.
During a recent congressional hearing, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand questioned Duffy about his intentions regarding key infrastructure developments, including the Second Avenue Subway extension and the Hudson Tunnel Gateway project.
“If you’re asking me if I plan on canceling those grant agreements, I do not,” Duffy responded.
A Department of Transportation spokesperson told CBS News New York that depending on Governor Hochul’s response, the department could initiate enforcement actions starting as early as May 28. “Following Wednesday’s deadline and consideration of the governor’s response, it may implement compliance actions as soon as May 28,” the spokesperson said.
Governor Hochul defended the initiative, stating, “Congestion pricing is lawful — and it’s effective. Traffic is down, business is up, and the cameras are staying on.”
Danny Pearlstein, policy director for the Riders Alliance, dismissed the federal threats, saying, “There’s really not much leverage the secretary has over New York here. At the end of the day, they’re swinging wildly, trying to make us worry about one infrastructure project or try to pit one thing against another like it’s The Hunger Games, but the fact is congestion pricing is here to stay.”
{Matzav.com}