DOT Weighs Revoking NYC Congestion Pricing Approval

The New York Times reported that the U.S. Department of Transportation may consider retroactively revoking federal approval of New York City’s congestion pricing plan.

Sources familiar with the issue say that the DOT is evaluating whether or not to remove a federal authorization granted to the Biden administration’s tolling plan. This move could spark legal battles that could end the program.

The issue of congestion pricing has divided Democrats, with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul pushing the measure and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy opposing it calling the program “a disaster.”

Murphy has called on President Donald Trump’s administration to do everything possible to get rid of tolls. Marc Molinaro has been a vocal opponent of tolls. He is believed to be Trump’s choice to lead the Federal Transit Administration. Insiders claim that Trump and Hochul spoke twice in the last month, but the subject of their discussion is unknown.

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), another GOP critic, said that Trump’s DOT could, via the Federal Highway Administration “potentially reverse Biden’s administration’s rubber stamping of the program.”

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which is responsible for the program, could withdraw it on the basis that it did not provide a complete environmental impact assessment evaluating its long-term impacts on air quality outside of the congestion zone. Federal authorities are required to provide such a report by law. However, the Biden administration did not comply with this mandate and instead accepted the MTA’s truncated analysis.

Yet any such move will need to wait until Trump gets his critical personnel in place, notably Molinaro and recently confirmed Sean Duffy, whom Trump chose to lead the Department of Transportation.

Malliotakis said to the New York Post that “once those positions are filled, we can get down to business.”

New York City launched its much-debated plan in January to charge motorists $9 for entry to Manhattan below 60th Street to help reduce traffic congestion. The MTA, which is responsible for congestion pricing, published data earlier in the month showing that traffic had decreased during the first week of congestion pricing.

According to a Siena College survey conducted in December, 60% of suburban New Yorkers oppose the signature legislation by the governor. Hochul has remained steadfast to her commitment, saying that “what I would like to do for the Hudson Valley, the suburbs, is reduce commute time,” and reminding the voters that the price was reduced from $15 to $9.

Molinaro expressed his support for reversing Hochul’s legislation last week. He wrote, “There’s a clear way to undo the State’s cash grabber.” The MTA desperately needs reform, transparency, and accountability. This bloated bureaucracy is not an ATM for hardworking New Yorkers and New Jerseyans. “Safety, accountability, efficiency & accessibility first!”