Trump administration moves to end New York City congestion hikes

The Trump administration is taking steps to try to end New York City's congestion pricing plan. This plan aims to charge fees for vehicles entering a specific area, with the revenue used to upgrade the aging public transportation system.

The Trump administration states that the federal government has jurisdiction over highways entering New York City and has revoked approval for the controversial project, citing that the plan unfairly burdens working-class residents of the area. President Trump stated on social media: "Congestion pricing is OVER! Manhattan and all of New York is SAVED! Long live the King!"

New York State launched the plan last month and vowed to fight the Trump administration, arguing that the plan helps minimize traffic congestion and travel times. New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated: "We are a nation of laws, not governed by a king. We'll see you in court."

The plan charges a toll of $9 (£7.15) for vehicles entering Manhattan between 60th Street and the southern end of the Financial District on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Newly appointed U.S. Transportation Secretary Shawn Duffy has notified Governor Hochul that he will revoke approval for the plan and will work with officials to block the toll.

Duffy called the plan "a slap in the face to working-class Americans." He argued: "Commuters using the highway system to enter New York City have already funded the construction and improvement of these highways by paying gasoline taxes and other taxes. The toll plan deprives drivers of any free highway alternatives, instead taking more money from working people to pay for public transportation systems rather than highways. This is regressive and unfair."

New York officials immediately vowed to fight the Trump administration. Its transportation agency, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), requested a declaratory judgment on Wednesday to stop the government from moving forward with plans to end the program. Hochul stated that the toll will continue and, in a fiery speech at a subway station on Wednesday, said that Trump's attempt to strip the state of its rights is part of his "revenge tour."

Hochul said: "New York has not toiled under the rule of a king for over 250 years, and we certainly won't start now. This is an assault on our sovereign identity, an attack on our independence from Washington. We are a nation made up of states. That's what we fought for." Hochul held up a photo posted earlier Wednesday by the White House's official X account, showing a fake magazine cover of Trump wearing a crown with the words "Long Live the King."

Hochul said: "We don't bow down to a king or anyone in Washington. So that's the fight we're having. It's all about our sovereignty." She and others at the press conference argued that traffic volume has decreased by 9% in the month since the plan was launched. She said traffic accidents have also been cut in half, and there has been an increase in the use of other modes of transportation, such as the city's subway system.

Transportation officials believe the plan will help alleviate the city's traffic congestion and help first responders quickly reach emergencies. The funds raised from the tolls will help increase funding for its aging subways, which have made headlines for years due to massive underground flooding during rainstorms. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy wrote a letter to Trump last month—on the same day the president took office—asking him to assess the plan and its impact on his state.

On Wednesday, he praised the Trump administration for stopping the plan, saying in a statement that the plan imposed an unfair "burden" on commuters working in the city. He said: "The current plan enriches the MTA at the expense of New Jersey residents."