On Tuesday, a federal judge temporarily barred an attempt by the Trump administration to terminate the congestion toll scheme in New York City. The initiative charges cars entering Manhattan a hefty fee every day.
A interim order issued by Federal Judge Lewis J. Liman of the U.S. southern district of New York stopped the administration from ending the program.
Most cars entering portions of lower Manhattan are subject to a $9 fee under the plan. Opponents raise concerns about the cost to travelers, while supporters assert that it reduces pollution and traffic.
According to Trump appointment Judge Liman, the city would “suffer irreparable harm” in the absence of a court remedy.
Liman’s temporary decision was hailed by New York Governor Kathy Hochul as a “massive victory” for commuters in the city that “vindicated” the state’s autonomy.
Brad Lander, the mayoral candidate and comptroller of New York City, stated that “six of 10 New Yorkers in the congestion zone support it,” citing a recent Siena poll that indicated a 10% increase in statewide support.
Before his January inauguration, Trump reaffirmed his support for the elimination of congestion pricing.
After the Trump administration attempted to rescind the program’s federal approval, which had been previously granted by the Biden administration, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority filed a lawsuit against the White House.
While MTA attorneys contended that the federal government lacked the appropriate authority to revoke congestion pricing at the municipal level, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy threatened to withhold infrastructure money.
Judge Liman heard arguments from both sides on Tuesday before issuing an order that will be in force until June 9.
According to the Trump administration, commuters with low-to-medium incomes are disproportionately affected by the toll, and the MTA disregarded many deadlines to terminate the program.
U.S. Representative Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., stated outside the courthouse that it was “nearly without precedent” to revoke federal clearance for a significant initiative like this after it had already been granted.
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“I strongly believe there’s no legal basis for Trump to unilaterally hold this program,” he continued.
The 23-member board of the MTA will meet on Wednesday to discuss revisions to increase the use of congestion charging.
Congestion pricing is “the right solution” to support future transit investments, Hochul said, adding that Duffy can “issue as many letters and social media posts as he wants, but a court has blocked the Trump Administration from retaliating against New York for reducing traffic and investing in transit.”
