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By Cesar A.

New City, NY – New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, alongside MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, delivered a forceful response following an abrupt move by the U.S. Department of Transportation to rescind federal approval for New York City’s congestion pricing program. The controversial decision, conveyed via a letter from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, has triggered a legal battle with the state pledging to keep the tolling infrastructure active while challenging the federal government’s directive.

In a press conference, Hochul made it clear that New York would not bow to what she described as an overreach by the federal government. “New York hasn’t labored under a king in over 250 years, and we sure as hell are not going to start now,” Hochul said.

The congestion pricing initiative, which had been in effect since early January 2025, aimed to reduce traffic congestion in Manhattan’s Central Business District while generating funds for critical public transit improvements. According to MTA data, traffic had decreased by 9% in January, with 1.2 million fewer vehicles entering the congested zones. Bus and express bus speeds increased significantly, cross-street traffic flow improved, and pedestrian safety saw marked gains with a reduction in crashes.

Hochul emphasized the program’s positive impacts on public health and the economy. “We’re fighting for our residents, our commuters, our riders, our drivers, our emergency personnel. Life has gotten better for those who have asthma, for people with illness—that’s who we’re fighting for,” she said.

MTA Chair Lieber: “New York Ain’t Going Back”

Lieber reinforced the Governor’s message, highlighting the economic and environmental benefits already realized through congestion pricing. “Traffic was down, bus speeds were up, crashes were reduced, and pedestrian traffic surged in our Central Business District,” Lieber said. He noted that commercial office leasing in January 2025 had increased by 61% compared to the previous year, a clear sign of economic confidence.

“Yellow cabs are making more money, Broadway is thriving, and even restaurant reservations are up 7%,” Lieber said. “New York ain’t going back. We tried gridlock for 60 years—it didn’t work.”

Senator Weber “Rockland County Treated Like an ATM by the MTA”

Shortly after the announcement of the congestion pricing halt, Senator Bill Weber released the following statement:

“Thank you to President Trump and his administration for ending congestion pricing. Rockland County has been treated like an ATM for the MTA for far too long, and we refuse to be a doormat any longer. Fighting against this unfair toll has been one of my biggest priorities while running for and serving in the New York State Senate. Now, we must ensure that congestion pricing remains a thing of the past—for the sake of our hardworking Rockland County commuters.”

Legal and Political Fallout

The federal government’s letter cited the opposition of New Jersey officials as a rationale for the decision, a point Hochul sharply criticized. “They are ignoring the will of the people who live here, their elected leaders in Albany, and suddenly the federal government is citing, ‘New Jersey isn’t happy,’” she said.

The state responded to the federal directive with a lawsuit filed within minutes of receiving the letter, aiming to secure a declaratory judgment that the move is unlawful. The legal filing also seeks to maintain the operation of the congestion pricing cameras and tolling mechanisms until a verdict is reached.

“This is an attack on our sovereign identity, our independence from Washington,” Hochul said. “We are a nation of states, and New York will not be subservient to anyone out of Washington.”

The Road Ahead

As the legal process unfolds, New Yorkers may continue to experience the “benefits” of congestion pricing—at least for now. Hochul warned of the consequences if the federal government succeeds in halting the program. “The next time you’re stuck in traffic, the next time your train is delayed, the next time you’re in a flooded station because infrastructure repairs were not made, remember this moment,” she urged.

For several years, Rockland County Executive Ed Day has emphasized that there is a significant transportation value gap each year, by the MTA – Rockland reportedly loses upwards of $40 million per year, based on the lack of transportation in and out of the County, namely to New York City. This has been exacerbated by the recent bankruptcy filing by Coach USA, whose fleet of buses had served Rockland for many decades (formerly named Red & Tan).

Some progress seemed to have been made in 2024 when Day and then-Director of Tourism Lucy Redzeposki announced a series of free programs to allow for transportation via the Ossining-Haverstraw Ferry, in coordination with the MTA. Congestion pricing was originally planned to be $15 per commuter below 60th street. However, after a politically charged election season, the Governor’s team pulled back the program prior to the election in order to maintain political good-will.

That good-will was quickly spent shortly after the election – with a new announcement of a $9 congestion pricing plan – which according to numerous official press conference, were touted as ‘savings’.

With New York’s Governor and the MTA, as well as its army of legal staff preparing for a prolonged court battle, the future of congestion pricing in New York City, especially for Rockland County commuters is currently uncertain. However, Hochul’s message was clear: “We’re in fight mode. And we do not back down. Not now, not ever.”