Trump Administration Appeals Federal Judge's Decision on NYC Congestion Pricing
The Trump administration continues to challenge congestion pricing, with US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy filing an appeal against a federal judge's decision allowing the tolling scheme to move forward. The appeal seeks to overturn the judge's ruling from March 3 that blocked previous efforts to end the toll below 60th Street in Manhattan. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority sued Duffy in February 2025 after he revoked federal authorization for the program initiated under the Biden administration. Judge Lewis Liman deemed Duffy's actions illegal and relieved the MTA of the obligation to stop tolling operations.
While Liman's ruling did not prevent future attempts to terminate the program, it limited the arguments available for appeal. The $9 tolls, implemented in January 2025 and set to increase to $15 by 2031, have faced opposition from federal and state officials. The ongoing legal battle underscores the contentious nature of congestion pricing in New York City.