Despite the U.S. Department of Transportation last month calling for a stop to congestion pricing by March 21, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber says the tolling program will continue.
“The program, which has had such amazing benefits for New Yorkers, faster travel, cleaner air, fewer crashes, less honking, quieter, better environment for all, and also great economic benefits — all that is going to continue,” Lieber said at an unrelated news conference Tuesday.
What You Need To Know
- Despite the U.S. Department of Transportation last month calling for a stop to congestion pricing by March 21, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber says the tolling program will continue
- U.S. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy had sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul saying the Federal Highway Administration was pulling its approval of congestion pricing and would work with New York State on an “orderly termination of the tolls”
- Lieber says the federal government doesn’t have the legal authority to turn off the tolls without moving for an injunction, which he doesn't believe there is legal ground for since that's been ruled on before
- Since the program’s implementation on Jan. 5, reports have found faster commutes for drivers, and the MTA says the revenue gathered is putting the agency on track to meet its funding goals
U.S. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy had sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul saying the Federal Highway Administration was pulling its approval of congestion pricing and would work with New York State on an “orderly termination of the tolls.”
Duffy claims the program hurts working-class residents and small business owners.
Lieber says the federal government doesn’t have the legal authority to turn off the tolls without moving for an injunction.
“The federal government hasn’t answered our initial complaint. The application to the judge, they have some more time to answer, and they haven’t moved for an injunction,” Lieber said. “I don’t think they can get an injunction because that’s been ruled on before.”
Lieber said they are proceeding with the dispute normally as they would in any litigation setting, saying “this is not a test of wills.”
“Things don’t change unless a court orders it, and that has not taken place. And we don’t expect it will because we’re on pretty strong legal footing,” he added. “We are very confident that there won’t be a rollback of congestion pricing.”
When asked about any consequences or retaliatory actions by the Trump administration for having tolls remain active past the deadline, Lieber said, “We are playing by the rules, and we are expecting them to play by the rules, too.”
Lieber said, as far as he knows, “the dialogue continues” between Hochul and President Donald Trump about the program.
Since the program’s implementation on Jan. 5, reports have found faster commutes for drivers, and the MTA says the revenue gathered is putting the agency on track to meet its funding goals.
