President Trump has expressed his intention to use the federal Department of Transportation to “kill” congestion pricing, a plan designed to reduce traffic in Manhattan by charging drivers a $9 fee to enter the area below 60th Street. The president claims that the program is deterring people from coming into Manhattan and vows to eliminate bike lanes if implemented. However, Gov. Kathy Hochul has strongly backed the program, citing its benefits for reducing congestion, increasing public transit use, and speeding up trips for commuters.
Options for dismantling the program include withholding federal transportation funds or revoking a key federal authorization. The president’s comments have sparked opposition from critics, who argue that the plan places an unfair burden on drivers from outside Manhattan and suburbs with limited transit options. Representatives from New Jersey and Staten Island have also spoken out against the program.
Despite the challenges, advocates for public transportation say that congestion pricing has won in court multiple times due to its careful vetting by federal agencies. The plan’s supporters, including Gov. Hochul, remain committed to its future, as long as it is supported by data.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/09/nyregion/trump-congestion-pricing-bike-lanes.html