Trump Administration Maintains April Deadline for NYC Congestion Pricing

The Trump administration is insisting that New York must end its $9 congestion toll for drivers entering Manhattan by the April 20 deadline, despite conflicting reports suggesting the tolls could remain in place until October due to ongoing legal disputes. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy criticized the toll as harmful to working-class Americans, describing it as a 'slap in the face.' While the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) plans to continue the tolling despite the federal ultimatum, recent court filings reveal that federal officials do not intend to seek immediate legal action to enforce compliance. The MTA argues that the federal government lacks the authority to unilaterally cancel the tolls, which are intended to fund public transportation and reduce traffic congestion. The legal battle over the tolls may extend into the fall, leaving the situation uncertain for drivers and city officials. Duffy has suggested that failure to comply with the deadline could jeopardize federal transit funding for New York.