Trump Moves to Block New York City’s Congestion Pricing Program

Former President Donald Trump is taking action to block New York City’s congestion pricing program, fulfilling a campaign promise to reverse the policy. The program, the first of its kind in the U.S., was designed to charge tolls for vehicles entering Manhattan’s busiest areas to fund mass transit improvements.

In a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy outlined Trump’s objections, citing concerns that the tolls are deterring visitors and businesses. The letter stated that federal officials would collaborate with the state to “discuss the orderly cessation of toll operations,” though no specific end date was provided.

The move is expected to face legal challenges. Duffy’s letter highlighted concerns about the financial burden on working-class drivers, the allocation of toll revenue for transit improvements rather than road enhancements, and discrepancies between the plan’s scope and federal authorization as primary reasons for Trump’s decision.

The program

, which began on January 5, charges most drivers $9 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street, a zone that includes major landmarks such as Times Square and the Empire State Building. Aimed at reducing traffic congestion, cutting pollution, and generating $15 billion for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the initiative seeks to improve the city’s transit system. However, Trump has argued that the tolls are causing harm to tourism and local businesses.

In his letter to Governor Hochul, Duffy noted that federal officials would work with the state to discuss the “orderly cessation of toll operations,” but did not specify a timeline for when the tolls would end. The decision is expected to prompt legal challenges.

Trump has previously suggested that he could withdraw federal approval for the program or threaten to withhold federal funding as leverage against it.