The head of the MTA has stated that the deadline set by the Trump administration to halt congestion pricing this week will “come and go,” and that the tolling program will remain in effect for the benefit of the city.
Last month, the Federal Highway Administration instructed New York to stop charging the $9 toll for entering Manhattan below 60th Street by March 21.
Speaking at a separate event on Transit Workers Appreciation Day on Tuesday, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber explained, “This is not a test of wills, it’s just the reality of when you have a dispute, things don’t change until a court orders it, and that hasn’t taken place.”
“And we don’t expect it will, because we’re on pretty strong legal footing,” he added.
Lieber further emphasized, “The deadline will come and go, and the congestion pricing program will continue to deliver a much better traffic environment for New York and a lot of economic benefits as well.”
He noted that the program, which has been in effect for 10 weeks, has already proven successful in every measure, offering improvements such as faster travel, reduced air pollution, and a quieter atmosphere.
According to the MTA, there has been a 10% decrease in traffic in Manhattan since the program began on January 5.
The agency is expected to generate approximately $500 million by the end of the year through the toll, money earmarked for upgrading subways, buses, and other transit systems.
“The biggest city in the country—which is 10% of the national economy—we are totally dependent on mass transit in order to power our economy,” Lieber said.
Despite the federal directive to pause the program last month, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized the toll, calling it a “slap in the face to working class Americans and small business owners.”
The toll has encountered strong opposition from various groups over the years, including suburban drivers, taxi drivers, and the state of New Jersey, yet it has successfully withstood legal challenges up to this point.
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