Trump administration extends deadline for New York City to end congestion pricing
NEW YORK (WABC) -- The Department of Transportation has extended its deadline for New York City to end congestion pricing.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced in a post on X that the Department of Transportation is granting New York a "30-day extension as discussions continue" on ending congestion pricing.
The original deadline, set by the Trump administration, was for Friday, March 21.
"We will provide New York with a 30-day extension as discussions continue. Know that the billions of dollars the federal government sends to New York are not a blank check. Continued non-compliance will not be taken lightly," Duffy said.
It was yet another threat to the MTA's federal funding- billions of dollars to keep the subways and the buses running. Governor Kathy Hochul, who was prepared to defy the deadline Friday, says the extension changes nothing:
"Congestion pricing is working. Traffic is down, business is up and support for this first-in-the-nation initiative continues to grow. We've seen Secretary Duffy's tweet, which doesn't change what Governor Hochul has been saying all along: the cameras are staying on," Governor Hochul's spokesperson said.
MTA officials insist that it would take a court order to switch off congestion pricing and that they are on solid legal ground.
Travel times are up on the river crossings and through the congestion zone. Noise complaints are down and millions are being raised to upgrade the transit system.
New Jersey Governor Murphy spoke out against congestion pricing saying, "Every day that congestion pricing continues...is another day that hardworking New Jerseyeans are unfairly tolled."
On Thursday, both supporters and critics mobilized on opposite sides of the Hudson.
Opponents say congestion pricing is destined to fail.
"The MTA in New York haven't shown an ounce of interest so far in complying with the directive," said Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey. "Instead, they're grasping for straws by ignoring the directive and the harsh reality that the congestion tax is punishing hard-working, middle-class families who are just doing everything they can to get by in a time of higher prices."
But supporters of congestion pricing say they're not concerned.
"US DOT and Donald Trump and Elon Musk and whoever else they trot out, they do not have the legal authority to withhold funding based on fake new rules that they make up," said NYC Comptroller Brad Lander.
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