On Wednesday, President Donald Trump proclaimed himself “king” while rejoicing over his administration’s efforts to eliminate federal approval of New York’s “congestion pricing”—a vehicle toll introduced last month to generate revenue for the area’s deteriorating mass transit system.
In his correspondence with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the federal government holds authority over highways leading into Manhattan, labeling these additional tolls as an unfair load on drivers outside the city.
Trump expressed joy at the possibility of terminating congestion pricing, drawing a comparison between himself and a monarch.
“CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!” he declared on social media.
Under the congestion pricing system, most vehicles entering Manhattan’s central business district—extending from 60th Street all the way to the southern tip of the Financial District—were required to pay a peak fee of $9 during weekdays from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Shortly after the announcement from the Trump administration, Hochul held a press conference where she firmly asserted that the cameras responsible for collecting the tolls would remain operational, and she criticized the president for his boastfulness.
“President Donald Trump tweeted, ‘Long live the king.’ I’m here to say New York hasn’t operated under a king in over 250 years,” she informed reporters at Grand Central Terminal in New York City. “And we sure as hell are not going to start now.”
Duffy described the tolls aimed at drivers heading to Manhattan as “backwards and unfair.”
“New York State’s congestion pricing plan is an insult to working-class Americans and small business owners,” Duffy stated in a release. “Commuters relying on the highway system to access New York City have already contributed to the construction and maintenance of these roadways through gas taxes and other fees.”
MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber noted on Wednesday that the New York transportation agency will pursue legal action against any federal attempts to abolish the tolls.
Lieber emphasized that congestion pricing underwent rigorous federal scrutiny and demonstrated its advantages, according to the MTA head.
He insisted that data indicates more visitors are coming to New York as a result of congestion pricing, thereby facilitating quicker and safer movement for buses and other vehicles.
“We tried gridlock for 60 years. It didn’t work,” he shared with reporters at Grand Central. “It cost our economy billions. But you know what’s benefiting our economy? What’s making New York a better place? Congestion pricing.”
The Trump administration’s pursuit to terminate the program was welcomed by some leaders outside Manhattan, who feel their drivers are being disproportionately taxed.
Michael Nagle / Bloomberg via Getty Images file
“Today marks a significant victory for New Jersey families, their finances, and the environment,” U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., stated in a release. “From the very beginning of this battle, we recognized that the Congestion Tax was merely a massive cash grab for New York and the MTA—burdening hardworking New Jersey families.”
Hochul ridiculed the Trump administration’s claim that congestion pricing should be overturned due to its unfairness to New Jersey drivers entering Manhattan.
The governor humorously remarked that she doesn’t lose any sleep over the “New York” football teams, the Giants and Jets, playing their home games in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
“In what world are we expected to bow to the will of another state?” she questioned. “That simply does not happen. Personally, I would prefer to see all New York teams playing in New York. But I’m not suggesting that the federal government go and annex the Meadowlands (MetLife Stadium).”
Lindsey Pipia and Yasmeen Persaud contributed.
