The $9 toll dividing New York: GOP lawmakers vs. congestion pricing

New York City-area Republicans are calling on President Trump to kill the congestion-pricing plan in midtown Manhattan “once and for all” as a battle over the controversial program winds its way through court. Here’s what you need to know about the Manhattan congestion pricing battle:

The Republican letter campaign

GOP lawmakers rally behind Trump’s opposition:

• House Republican Leadership Chair Elise Stefanik led effort
• Rep. Nick LaLota and five other Republicans signed letter Monday
• Want to shore up political momentum behind Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy
• Duffy moved to cancel program in February over lack of toll-free options

The congestion pricing program

Manhattan toll system launched after delays:

• Charges toll on vehicles entering busy parts of Manhattan
• Launched at start of year after series of delays
• Program was engineered to direct money to fund public transit
• $9 toll on vehicles traveling below 60th Street in Manhattan

Trump’s opposition stance

President celebrated program’s apparent death:

• Trump linked arms with suburban leaders opposing the plan
• “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED”
• Posted declaration on Truth Social in February
• Said program punished drivers from surrounding areas

The court battle

New York officials challenged federal intervention:

• Gov. Kathy Hochul and Metropolitan Transportation Authority sued
• Ending toll would force MTA to find another way to raise $1 billion yearly
• Officials celebrated preliminary injunction in late May
• Injunction blocked Duffy from withdrawing federal funding for local projects

The judge’s ruling

Federal court sided with New York officials:

• U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Liman issued preliminary injunction
• Judge said New York officials showed likelihood of success on merits
• Ruling blocked threats to withdraw federal funding
• Court put stop to Washington threats against program

City officials’ claims

New York says program working as intended:

• Officials cite improved travel times in Manhattan
• Decreased congestion in parts that used to be slow-moving
• MTA Chair Janno Lieber said program “isn’t just surviving, it’s thriving”
• Claims of “less traffic, safer streets, cleaner air, and better transit”

Legal expert assessment

Columbia professor tracks court challenges:

• Michael Gerrard says plan “up and running”
• Program “has survived all of the many court challenges”
• Biden administration DOT had approved the program
• “No strong reason to stop it” according to Gerrard

Republican subway safety concerns

GOP lawmakers cite transit system dangers:

• Say city leaders forcing drivers onto dangerous public transit
• Highlight increase in subway assaults and notable crimes
• Reference riders “being pushed in front of oncoming train cars and burned alive”
• Call Governor Hochul “entirely out of touch with reality”

Duffy’s specific objections

Transportation Secretary targeted toll structure:

• Objected to toll amount based on transit funding needs
• Said amount wasn’t set based on congestion-reducing target
• Department moved to rescind Nov. 21 Value Pricing Pilot Program agreement
• VPPP had authorized the $9 toll for Manhattan below 60th Street

The letter signatories

Seven House Republicans supported Trump position:

• Andrew Garbarino, Nicole Malliotakis, Nicholas Langworthy signed
• Michael Lawler of New York and Thomas Kean Jr. of New Jersey included
• Said program “would unfairly target suburban New York and New Jersey”
• Accused Hochul of “forgoing fiscal responsibility for a quick cash grab”

Read more:

• New York, New Jersey Republicans urge Trump to finish off Manhattan congestion pricing