NEW YORK (WABC) — The Trump administration’s move to end congestion pricing on Wednesday was greeted by sighs of relief and groans of dismay after the controversial toll hit a roadblock just seven weeks after launching.
The U.S. Department of Transportation withdrew its approval for the MTA’s toll program, the first of its kind in the United States, fulfilling President Donald Trump’s promise to reverse the policy.
The MTA is fighting the decision in federal court, and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said congestion pricing was still in effect. Regardless of the final outcome, reaction was swift and reflected sharp public divisions about the toll.
Around Manhattan, the program’s home base, the news bubbled positive and negative feelings to the surface.
To some, like Tim Allen, the news meant he would no longer be “nickeled and dimed.”
“This city is built on small people,” he said. “We’re running out of money.”
Taxi and Uber drivers, along with delivery workers, say the toll’s elimination will make it easier for them to move around again. Yet the policy has its proponents, who argued the toll was in the city’s best interest.
On Staten Island, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis claimed not enough of the environmental impact was studied, and that with the president’s decision, the cameras being used for the tolling system are “operating illegally.”
Manhattan Congressman Jerry Nadler, who serves on the House Transportation Committee, said the law that allowed the Biden administration’s DOT to approve it hasn’t changed.
“It’s exactly the same section of law that justifies the New Jersey Turnpike toll, or any other toll on a highway that we have,” Nadler said. “It’s been upheld many times. And (Transportation) Secretary (Sean) Duffy is just being a demagogue in writing that letter and saying there’s something illegal about this.”
New Jersey reacts to the decision
In New Jersey, politicians and residents campaigned against the toll for months before its implementation, including Gov. Phil Murphy. Now, the news they had long sought had arrived.
“This was done purely to line the pockets of the MTA. This was a financial move, far more than it was an environmental move,” said Murphy. “New Jersey residents – come, you’re welcomed, but you’re not forced to come here. This is the flaw in their argument.”
The unprecedented move by Duffy comes almost exactly one month after a letter had been sent by Murphy to the Trump administration calling the tolling plan a disaster for “working- and middle-class New Jersey commuters.”
NJ congressman Josh Gottheimer, who represents the state’s 5th district, agreed.
“We said from day one, which was acknowledged today and this decision, that this was nothing but a cash grab for New York and their mismanaged MTA,” Gottheimer said. “This really screws Jersey families over and you mess with Jersey, you’ll find out what happens, and today you see what happens.”
The input of Murphy as part of a pretext to terminating federal approval of congestion pricing drew the ire of Gov. Hochul, who said, “Since when does New Jersey get to dictate what happens in New York?”
Meanwhile, some drivers from the Garden State took a more conciliatory stance, conceding that the toll program reduced traffic in Manhattan, along with shorter commutes and quicker trips home. But the dent in wallets still hurt, especially for working people.
“When congestion pricing was up, I was able to get in from Brooklyn to the city in 20 minutes,” said commuter Chris Hough. “So now I probably have to get up an extra 30 minutes just to make it to the city and (find) parking as well. It kind of goes both ways.”
Anthony Carlo reports on the reaction from New Jersey on the move to end congestion pricing.
Long Island lawmakers react to the move
On Long Island, some politicians declared victory. Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin pointed out that the town’s lawsuit was cited in the letter Duffy sent to Hochul announcing the termination.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a supporter of Trump, shared Clavin’s sentiments.
“I’m concerned that if we don’t stop this in lower Manhattan, what’s to stop the governor and the state from putting congestion pricing in on the LIE or the Southern State,” he said.
Chanteé Lans has the latest from Carle Place.
But some commuters who may have been opposed initially have awakened to the benefits, said Ben Furnas, the executive director of Transportation Alternatives.
“66% of New Yorkers who drive regularly into Manhattan now support the program so I think this is bad politics, bad policy,” Furnas said. “Donald Trump needs to let New Yorkers determine their own destiny, and we are really hoping and expecting Governor Hochul is going to fight this every step of the way.”
RELATED | Nearly 27K less vehicles in Manhattan’s Central Business District amid congestion pricing: MTA
The latest figures on the recently enacted congestion pricing.
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