Federal judge declines to issue preliminary injunction against NYC's congestion pricing

ByEyewitness News

Monday, December 23, 2024 9:36PM

Federal judge declines requests to delay January 5 congestion pricing start date

A judge declined on Monday to put the brakes on congestion pricing in a new ruling.

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A federal judge in New York City declined to put the brakes on congestion pricing in a ruling on Monday.

Judge Lewis Liman, who heard arguments in four lawsuits against the controversial plan in his federal courtroom Friday, declined a request for a preliminary injunction against it starting Jan. 5.

Liman has yet to rule on the MTA's motion to dismiss the legal challenge altogether.

Another federal challenge is still being heard in Newark. And Judge Cathy Seibel in federal court in White Plains also denied a request for a preliminary injunction, brought by Rockland County and Orange County, to block congestion pricing.

Liman heard arguments Friday against the plan from groups that included the Staten Island Borough President, the United Federation of Teachers, New Yorkers Against Congestion Pricing Tax and the Trucking Association of New York. He suggested congestion pricing might actually benefit truckers by reducing the amount of time they have to spend in traffic.

"We are disappointed, but not that surprised, that the judge denied our request for an injunction in our lawsuit against congestion pricing, with less than two weeks to spare before the program begins," Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella said in part in a statement.

The arguments are among at least 10 lawsuits against congestion pricing in federal and state courts in New York and New Jersey in recent years. Most argue the toll is a financial burden for commuters, hurts small businesses, and shifts traffic and pollution to other parts of the city and region.

The big picture is the clock is ticking as President-elect Donald Trump is opposed to congestion pricing and has vowed to shut it down.

New York lawmakers want the gantries turned on next month before he takes office.