Trump Transportation Sec Duffy moves to halt congestion pricing in New York City

The Trump administration on Wednesday moved to stop the state of New York from charging motorists driving in New York City's most congested area. 

The effort is being led by the Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who said in a letter to Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul that the administration has "effectively" ended tolling authority for the city's cordon pricing plan by rescinding an agreement on the matter between the state and the previous Biden administration.

He cited as reasons for the administration's move the scope of the plan being "unprecedented" and that it provides no toll-free option for "many drivers who want or need to travel by vehicle in the area." 

And the toll rate was set "primarily to raise revenue for transit, rather than at an amount needed to reduce congestion," he argued. "By doing so, the pilot runs contrary to the purpose of the VPPP, which is to impose tolls for congestion reduction – not transit revenue generation."

Duffy also said the Federal Highway Administration will work with the project sponsors on an orderly termination of the tolls.

“New York State’s congestion pricing plan is a slap in the face to working class Americans and small business owners,” Duffy also said in announcing the move. “Commuters using the highway system to enter New York City have already financed the construction and improvement of these highways through the payment of gas taxes and other taxes.”