Breaking: President Trump Shuts Down NYC Congestion Toll

By Idy Perl

The latest victim of Trump’s deportations might just be the very unpopular Manhattan congestion toll. 

According to a letter Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is set to deliver to Governor Hochul today, the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration will be immediately terminating the approval for the congestion toll. 

The letter outlines several justifications for ending the toll. Firstly, it runs counter to the federal highway aid program, which prohibits tolling on roads that were built with federal funds, unless Congress grants an approval, which did not happen in this case. The exception to that rule is the VPPP, or Value Pricing Pilot Program, which allows tolls to be set to reduce congestion. However, this congestion toll rate was set with the purpose of raising funds for the MTA and not to reduce congestion. 

In addition, the toll is unprecedented in that it doesn’t provide any toll-free alternative route for drivers who must use a car. 

“New York State’s congestion pricing plan is a slap in the face to working class Americans and small business owners,” Duffy said. “Every American should be able to access New York City regardless of their economic means. It shouldn’t be reserved for an elite few.”