Nyc Continues Congestion Pricing Toll Despite Federal Deadline To Suspend It

THE DEADLINE FOR NEW YORK CITY TO END ITS CONGESTION PRICING PROGRAM PASSED YESTERDAY-

BUT THE TOLLS REMAIN IN PLACE.

THIS NOW THE SECOND TIME NEW YORK GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL AND THE METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY HAVE OPTED NOT TO COMPLY WITH A WHITE HOUSE DIRECTIVE TO SUSPEND THE TOLLING SYSTEM.

IN A STATEMENT, A SPOKESPERSON FOR HOCHUL DEFENDED THE TOLLS, SAYING QUOTE-

“THE PROGRAM IS WORKING. TRAFFIC IS DOWN, BUSINESS IS UP AND THE CAMERAS ARE STAYING ON.”

THE PLAN CHARGES MOST CARS ENTERING MANHATTAN BELOW 60TH STREET A TOLL OF NINE DOLLARS DURING PEAK HOURS-

GENERATING NEARLY 50 MILLION DOLLARS IN JANUARY ALONE, 80 PERCENT OF WHICH IS REQUIRED TO BE SPENT ON IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE CITY’S PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEMS.

HOWEVER, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS PUSHING BACK. 

ON MONDAY, TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY SEAN DUFFY ISSUED A LETTER TO HOCHUL, WARNING OF “SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES” IF THE STATE DOES NOT STOP THE PROGRAM-

OR PROVIDE LEGAL JUSTIFICATION FOR ITS CONTINUATION BY MAY 21. 

POSSIBLE RAMIFICATIONS INCLUDE THE LOSS OF FEDERAL FUNDING AND PROJECT APPROVALS.

TENSIONS OVER THE TOLLING SYSTEM BEGAN IN FEBRUARY-

WHEN FEDERAL OFFICIALS REVOKED THEIR EARLIER APPROVAL OF THE PROGRAM, ARGUING IT UNFAIRLY BURDENS WORKING-CLASS AMERICANS.

IN RESPONSE, THE METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY FILED A LAWSUIT IN FEDERAL COURT, CHALLENGING THE GOVERNMENT’S REVERSAL-

AND HAS INDICATED THE TOLLS WILL REMAIN IN PLACE PENDING A FORMAL DECISION FROM THE COURTS, WHICH MAY NOT COME UNTIL LATE OCTOBER.

LAST WEEK, A SERIES OF LEGAL CHALLENGES BROUGHT BY CONSUMER ADVOCACY GROUPS AGAINST THE TOLL SYSTEM WERE STRUCK DOWN IN FEDERAL COURT-

ALTHOUGH THESE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE VOWED TO REFILE THEIR SUITS.

MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SAYS IT WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT WHAT IT DESCRIBES AS AN “UNLAWFUL TAX ON HARDWORKING AMERICANS.”