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From the New York Post: New York City’s spectacularly unpopular congestion pricing scheme is on death row as the Trump administration announced Wednesday it is pulling its approval of the toll — slamming it as “backwards and unfair” — in a major blow to Gov. Kathy Hochul, The Post has learned.
The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration terminated the approval of the controversial program, according to a letter Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent to Hochul on Wednesday afternoon.
“New York State’s congestion pricing plan is a slap in the face to working class Americans and small business owners,” said Duffy, noting that commuters entering NYC have already financed the construction and improvement of city roadways through their taxes.
“But now the toll program leaves drivers without any free highway alternative, and instead, takes more money from working people to pay for a transit system and not highways. It’s backwards and unfair,” he said, blasting the program as harmful to small businesses in the Big Apple that depend on customers from New Jersey and Connecticut.
CLICK HERE to read Duffy’s full letter to Gov. Hochul, which he just sent on Wednesday.
The Nov. 21 agreement imposed a stiff $9 surcharge for all drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street starting in January.
CONGESTION PRICING TERMINATED??!!
wow that was quick! Sean Duffy writes a letter to Kathy Hochul stating that the Trump administration will be pulling approval the pilot program
New York City residents thank Doanld Trump I’m sure, it’s amazing how many wins they are giving… pic.twitter.com/iSrlsXl1Rn
— Sarah Sansoni (@sarahsansoni) February 19, 2025
Great news for all New Yorkers. Kathy Hochul’s Congestion Pricing scam has been halted! Huge sigh of relief for NY’ers just trying to get to work everyday. Thank you President Trump and U.S. Dept. Of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. pic.twitter.com/ppECynEptk
— Liz Joy (@LizLemeryJoy) February 19, 2025
“CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!” cheered President Trump in a Truth Social post on Wednesday.
In response to the Trump administration blocking the congestion toll, the New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chair and CEO Janno Lieber announced they are filing a lawsuit to try to keep the program.
Statement from MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber regarding legal filing to continue benefits of the congestion pricing program:
“Today, the MTA filed papers in federal court to ensure that the highly successful program—which has already dramatically reduced congestion, bringing…
— MTA (@MTA) February 19, 2025
NEW YORK: The MTA has filed papers in federal court to fight the Trumo administration’s axing of congestion pricing. pic.twitter.com/tDqraCYAWc
— KolHaolam (@KolHaolam) February 19, 2025
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s letter to Gov. Hochul stating he is rescinding the Federal Highway Administration’s approval of congestion pricing: https://t.co/ESz5eISnt4@CBSNewYork
— Tim McNicholas (@TimMcNicholas) February 19, 2025
When Hochul had first announced the ‘congestion toll,’ she touted that the price had originally been set at $15, but now she has reduced it to $9, and pitched the deal as if she was saving New Yorkers a pile of money.
BREAKING: The Trump administration has pulled its approval of New York City’s controversial congestion pricing program.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul calling the program “backwards and unfair.”
“New York State’s congestion… pic.twitter.com/MmW0GIbpGs
— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) February 19, 2025
Trump Transit Sec Sean Duffy cancels Kathy Hochul’s congestion pricing plan for New York Cityhttps://t.co/o3htGWhELH
— Libby Emmons (@libbyemmons) February 19, 2025
#BREAKING | The MTA has filed papers in federal court in an effort to keep congestion pricing going in New York City after the Trump administration ordered a halt to it. https://t.co/JsffXIUJox
— PIX11 News (@PIX11News) February 19, 2025
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