The Trump administration said Wednesday it would revoke federal approval of New York City's congestion pricing plan, which aims to reduce transportation and raise funds to upgrade the aging subway and bus system.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the move would stop a plan that “lets drivers not have any free highway alternatives, but take more money from workers to pay Transit systems rather than highways.”
Under the plan launched on January 5, most passenger cars charge $9 during peak hours to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street. Trucks and buses pay up to $21.60.
At night, the cost was reduced by 75%.
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The Metropolitan Transportation Administration and New York Bridge authorities quickly filed a lawsuit in Manhattan in an attempt to stop the move. They said the decision was “for blatant political reasons” to uphold Republican U.S. President Donald Trump’s campaign promise.
Trump touted the move on social media and wrote: “Long live the king!” The White House was wearing a mock photo of the crown on social media.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the funds raised by the plan would provide $15 billion in debt financing for mass transport capital improvements. She said Wednesday that the program has been a huge success, reducing commuting hours and helping school bus children attend classes on time.
“We are a legal country, not ruled by the king,” she said in a statement.
New York City's estimated crowded pricing will receive $500 million in its first year, approved in the final months of former President Joe Biden's administration. As the tolls involved in federal highways are required, we need to approve it.
Transit officials said the plan cuts commuting times, with inbound travel time at the Hudson and East River intersections now 10% to 30% higher, and bus services have improved. Since the introduction of automatic action, subway rides have also grown.
Jerrold Nadler, the U.S. representative for the Democratic Party of New York, said there is “few precedent” to revoke federal approval.
“Its approval cannot be arbitrarily revoked, especially when it clearly brings tangible benefits,” Nadler said.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who opposed the plan, praised Trump and Duffy for their efforts to stop the plan. He said the program provided excess funding for the Metropolitan Transportation Administration at the expense of New Jersey commuters.
The fee charged through the electronic license plate reader is paid once a day, no matter how many times they make it into the CBD.
Some other cities around the world have implemented congestion pricing systems. London started its system in 2003 and now charges 15 pounds ($26.88 CDN). Singapore and Sweden also have crowded pricing plans.
Before the charges, New York said 700,000 cars entered Manhattan's CBD every day, and the speed dropped to an average of about 11 km/h, 23% slower than in 2010.
