On Wednesday, February 19, 2025, the administration of President Donald Trump made a controversial announcement that shook New York City: the federal government decided to revoke the approval of the urban congestion pricing program that went into effect earlier this year. Created with the goal of reducing traffic congestion in downtown Manhattan and generating funds to finance improvements to the city’s public transportation system, the program became one of the most debated topics among local, national authorities, and urban mobility experts.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, was the primary spokesperson for the measure. In an official statement, Duffy argued that the congestion pricing program was an inadequate solution to the city’s traffic problems. He claimed that the tolls hurt drivers and take money from workers to fund a transportation system that, according to him, is not meeting the needs of the population. “This toll program leaves drivers with no viable free route alternatives and forces more citizens to pay for a transportation system that doesn’t solve congestion issues on the streets,” said the Secretary.
The initiative was launched on January 5 of this year, during the final period of the Biden administration, with the intent of alleviating heavy traffic on major Manhattan streets and raising funds for public transportation infrastructure modernization. Under the program, passenger vehicle drivers are charged around $9 during peak hours to enter the southern Manhattan zone, extending up to 60th Street. Trucks and buses, which cause more significant traffic impacts, are taxed up to $21.60. The fee is reduced by 75% at night, encouraging traffic reduction during off-peak hours.
The measure, which had already been viewed cautiously by many drivers and transportation companies, is now the subject of a legal battle. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) of New York, in partnership with the New York Bridges Authority, filed a lawsuit in Manhattan, seeking to block the program’s revocation. Local authorities argue that Trump’s decision is politically motivated and that revoking the program undermines a solution that, according to them, is working to improve mobility in the city. “The decision was made for openly political reasons,” stated an MTA representative, accusing the Trump administration of fulfilling a campaign promise at the expense of New York City’s interests.
In response to Trump’s support for the revocation, the president made a provocative post on his social media, celebrating the decision with a tone of irony. “LONG LIVE THE KING!” he wrote, accompanied by a manipulated image of him wearing a crown, in a clear provocation to local authorities who defend the program. The White House also shared the image on social media, with a humorous tone, celebrating the decision as a victory for drivers and against what they considered an “extra tax” imposed on New York citizens.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s reaction came swiftly. In a formal statement, the governor expressed strong opposition to the program’s revocation and reinforced the benefits it brought to the city. Hochul emphasized that the funds generated by the congestion pricing are essential to finance $15 billion in public transportation improvements, including the modernization of the subway and bus systems. “The revenue generated by this program is crucial to financing capital projects that will transform New York’s public transportation system,” declared the governor. Additionally, Hochul emphasized that the toll has significantly improved travel times for vehicles and buses, directly impacting the lives of New Yorkers, especially during peak hours.
The governor did not hold back in criticizing the president’s stance. “We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king,” Hochul stated, clearly referring to Trump’s leadership style, suggesting that his decision to revoke the program was not based on an objective analysis of its benefits, but rather on an authoritarian and political stance. For her, the measure harms New York’s efforts to improve its residents’ quality of life and public transportation operations.
New York’s urban congestion pricing, which was expected to generate about $500 million in its first year of operation, was approved in the final weeks of the Biden administration, when the then-president sought solutions for the city’s chaotic traffic and deficit-ridden finances. Since the program involves tolls on federal highways, its implementation required approval from Washington. Now, with the revocation underway, New York risks losing one of the few sources of funding that could revitalize the city’s public transportation system.
According to transportation authorities, since the implementation of the toll, the city has experienced a significant reduction in congestion. Travel times on major city streets have decreased, with trips across the Hudson and East River bridges being 10% to 30% faster. Moreover, the public transportation system has also seen improvements, with an increase in subway ridership, benefiting from the reduced congestion on the streets. Urban mobility experts, such as renowned urban planner Jan Gehl, argue that toll programs like this are essential for promoting urban sustainability and improving the quality of public transportation in large cities.
Representative Jerrold Nadler, a Democrat from New York, was one of the most critical of the decision to revoke the program. In an interview, he stated that this revocation would be “almost unprecedented” and warned that it could set a dangerous precedent for public policies in the country. “The approval of this program cannot be revoked arbitrarily, especially when it is bringing clear benefits to New York’s population. Politics cannot prevail over the interests of millions of citizens,” Nadler said.
On the other hand, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who has always opposed New York’s urban congestion pricing, joined President Trump and Secretary Duffy in praising the decision to block the program. Murphy argued that the toll was an unfair form of revenue collection that benefited the MTA at the expense of New Jersey drivers. “The toll is not only a problem for New York drivers, but also for New Jersey citizens who are forced to pay to cross into Manhattan without any compensation,” said Murphy.
The congestion pricing program was structured to charge drivers a daily fee regardless of how many times they crossed the central business district of Manhattan. The fee is collected through electronic license plate readers, ensuring efficient collection without the need for physical toll booths on the roads, a model that has been adopted by several cities around the world. London, for example, implemented a congestion pricing system in 2003 and currently charges £15 (approximately $18.70) for vehicles entering the city’s central zone. Singapore and several cities in Sweden also have similar congestion pricing programs, aimed at reducing traffic and improving the quality of public transportation.
Before the toll was introduced, New York faced intense daily congestion, with over 700,000 vehicles entering Manhattan’s central business district. The city recorded an average speed of 11 km/h on major streets, which represented a 23% reduction in traffic flow compared to 2010. The urban congestion pricing aimed not only to reduce these numbers but also to generate funds for a more efficient and sustainable public transportation system, at a time when the city is struggling with its aging transportation infrastructure.
Therefore, the revocation of the program is not just a simple toll issue but involves a broader discussion about the future of urban mobility and the role of the federal government in local policies. The impact of this decision will be felt by millions of New Yorkers and could directly affect the city’s ability to tackle its transportation challenges in the coming decades.
