The Trump administration and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority have agreed to keep congestion pricing in Manhattan until the fall, pending a decision by a federal judge. The agreement was made after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized the MTA for its high spending while riding the city subway system with Mayor Eric Adams. The proposed timeline would keep the camera lights on through October, according to court documents.
The congestion pricing program began in January but was at risk of being revoked after President Trump expressed his desire to withdraw federal approval the following month. This led to a legal battle between the MTA and the federal government. Duffy granted New York state an extension on the deadline to end congestion pricing, allowing the program to continue until October under the agreement reached between the two sides.
The decision to keep congestion pricing in place until the fall will ultimately be up to a federal judge following the agreement between the Trump administration and the MTA. This marks a temporary reprieve for the tolling program, which has faced uncertainty since President Trump indicated his intention to revoke federal approval.
Despite the temporary extension granted by Duffy, the fate of congestion pricing in Manhattan remains uncertain until the federal judge makes a final decision in the fall. Both the MTA and the federal government will have to wait for the court’s ruling to determine whether the tolling program will continue beyond the agreed-upon timeline.
The agreement between the Trump administration and the MTA to keep congestion pricing in place until October marks a temporary resolution to the ongoing legal battle over the tolling program. The extension provides a brief period of stability for the controversial initiative while the federal judge considers the arguments presented by both sides in the case.
As the situation continues to evolve, it is important to monitor updates on the legal proceedings regarding congestion pricing in Manhattan. The decision by the federal judge will ultimately determine the fate of the tolling program beyond the temporary extension agreed to by the Trump administration and the MTA. Stay tuned for more information as this story develops.