A legal showdown is unfolding over New York City’s congestion pricing plan after the Trump administration announced its decision to halt the program on Wednesday. In response, Gov. Kathy Hochul and the MTA swiftly filed a lawsuit, challenging the federal government’s move.
MTA’s Legal Challenge Against Trump Administration
Legal experts believe the MTA has a strong case, as a judge has previously upheld the program.
- The MTA’s lawsuit argues that the Trump administration’s attempt to block congestion pricing is unlawful.
- Pace University Law Professor Bennett Gershman stated, “I do not see any authority that President Trump has to end the program.”
- Brooklyn Law School Professor Bill Araiza suggested the case might even reach the U.S. Supreme Court, as it involves statutory interpretation and administrative authority—areas the court frequently reviews.
Despite the court’s conservative lean, experts say that doesn’t guarantee a ruling in favor of the Trump administration.
Trump Administration’s Argument Against Congestion Pricing
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy laid out the administration’s argument in a letter to Gov. Hochul:
- The plan is unlawful because the Biden administration’s Federal Highway Administration lacked the legal authority to approve it.
- American taxpayers funded the roads, and it’s wrong to charge additional fees for access.
- The governor failed to conduct a proper study on toll pricing and its impact on congestion reduction.
- When Hochul lowered the congestion toll from $15 to $9, it was the minimum rate cited in the environmental impact report. Any further reduction would require a new study.
What’s Next?
With both sides digging in for a legal fight, the case could set a precedent for congestion pricing policies in other cities. The MTA’s legal challenge could keep the program alive, but its fate may ultimately be decided by the courts, possibly even the Supreme Court.
