NEW YORK – The Trump administration has extended the deadline for New York to dismantle its recently implemented $9 congestion charge for drivers entering Manhattan. Originally due to expire on Friday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced an additional 30-day extension on Thursday, allowing further “discussions” regarding the contention over this policy. The Republican administration has continued to pressure New York to comply with its demands, despite city officials’ ongoing resistance.
New York’s authorities have stood firm, with recent developments including a lawsuit aimed at challenging the rescission of federal approval for the toll. Highlighting the tension, Duffy criticized New York’s stance in a spirited post on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), commenting that the state’s defiance and disrespect for federal authority could jeopardize future funding: “Your refusal to end cordon pricing and your open disrespect towards the federal government is unacceptable,” Duffy stated. “Know that the billions of dollars the federal government sends to New York are not a blank check. Continued noncompliance will not be taken lightly.”
When asked for further clarification, Duffy’s representatives did not offer immediate responses. Meanwhile, New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s office dismissed the developments, reiterating their commitment to the toll. Spokesperson Avi Small emphasized, “We’ve seen Secretary Duffy’s tweet, which doesn’t change what Governor Hochul has been saying all along: the cameras are staying on,” referring to the toll-collection cameras operational across the zone.
In operation since January 5, the congestion toll is an effort to curb traffic influx into the city, while generating substantial funds for New York’s transit infrastructure. The charge complements the existing fees for bridges and tunnels leading into Manhattan. This isn’t a novel initiative on the global stage; cities like London, Stockholm, Milan, and Singapore have embraced similar frameworks, but it marks a first in the United States. New York’s decision has faced criticism from former President Donald Trump, whose personal and real estate interests fall within the congestion zone.
Sean Duffy, in his opposition, declared the fee as detrimental to working-class citizens and small enterprises, labeling it a “slap in the face.” Nonetheless, Janno Lieber, chairman and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), asserted earlier in the week that they wouldn’t yield to the looming deadline. According to Lieber, the Trump administration does not have the jurisdiction to annul what was approved by the previous administration. “Nothing is going to change, and we are very confident that there won’t be a rollback of congestion pricing because the program stepped through every hoop on the way to getting that federal approval,” Lieber stated at an occasion unrelated to the toll discussion at Penn Station. “It can’t be unilaterally rescinded.”
Governor Hochul has sought to diplomatically resolve the situation through private meetings with President Donald Trump, aiming to persuade a withdrawal of his objections. State authorities report that the toll mechanism is fulfilling its objectives, with a marked reduction in vehicle numbers within central Manhattan and enhanced travel times for remaining commuters. The program is on schedule to accumulate $500 million by year-end, which will fund much-needed improvements in public transit, as detailed in a recent MTA analysis.
“The status quo remains, which means everyone can continue to expect less traffic, faster commutes, and safer streets in Manhattan,” stated MTA spokesperson John McCarthy. Their firm stance signals a commitment to sustaining these enhancements, assuring New York’s populace of the toll’s ongoing efficacy in transforming urban transit dynamics.