(The Center Square) — Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is giving New York City a 30-day extension to wind down its controversial congestion pricing program and putting Gov. Kathy Hochul “on notice” over what he described as her “disrespect” for the federal government.
Duffy announced on Thursday that the deadline to end the program, originally scheduled for Friday, has been extended by another month and strongly criticized the Democratic governor over her refusal to shut it down.
“Your refusal to end cordon pricing and your open disrespect towards the federal government is unacceptable,” Duffy posted on social media. “Just as your high tolls and no free road option are a slap in the face to hard working Americans, your refusal to approve two vital pipelines that will lower fuel costs by 50% are against the public’s best interests.”
Hochul and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority have defended the controversial tolling scheme, citing its success in reducing city traffic congestion and tailpipe pollution.
Duffy’s order to shut down the program is facing a legal challenge from the MTA and environmental groups who argue the order was “illegal” and included “serious legal mistakes” in the “rush” to terminate the program.
MTA Chair/CEO Janno Lieber said Tuesday that the tolling program will likely continue past Friday’s deadline despite Duffy’s directive. He argues that the federal government doesn’t have the legal authority to turn off the tolls without a court order, which hasn’t been issued.
“The status quo remains, which means everyone can continue to expect less traffic, faster commutes, and safer streets in Manhattan,” MTA spokesperson John McCarthy said in a statement. “As we’ve said, there was exhaustive study, projected benefits were right, and we can’t go back to gridlock.”
New York’s first-in-the-nation toll for drivers entering Manhattan’s Congestion Relief Zone during peak hours got underway on Jan. 5. Under the program, most passenger cars and trucks pay a $9 toll. Revenue from congestion pricing tolls is earmarked to finance $15 billion worth of repairs to the city’s cash-strapped mass transit system.
Hochul met with Trump last week in an effort to convince him not to kill the program, arguing that it will reduce tailpipe pollution and drum up more funding for the cash-strapped MTA, which operates New York City’s fleet of buses, trains and subway cars.
“We will provide New York with a 30-day extension as discussions continue,” Duffy said on Thursday. “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.”
