New York ignores federal deadline and keeps congestion pricing toll in effect

In the context of ongoing congestion management efforts, New York has maintained its $9 congestion toll for vehicles entering Manhattan below Central Park, despite warnings from the Trump administration to cease the program. With the fee implementation beginning on January 5, the toll has seen consistent revenue generation aimed at supporting the city's public transportation systems. Following an initial federal approval revocation in February by Sean Duffy, the Secretary of Transportation, the state was given a deadline of March 21 to halt the toll collection. However, after legal challenges from the state's Metropolitan Transportation Authority, this deadline was extended to April 20. With this date now passed, the MTA has reaffirmed its commitment to the tolling strategy, citing traffic reduction and increased business activity as supporting benefits. Despite the federal government’s claim of the toll being illegal and detrimental to working-class drivers, New York officials argue the program is delivering positive outcomes for the city’s infrastructure funding. As a result of this ongoing standoff, New York faces potential loss of federal funding should it continue to defy the federal government’s orders. This situation highlights the clash between local transit needs and federal regulatory authority, reflecting broader tensions in urban transportation policy.