Legal Battle Over Congestion Pricing in New York City

By Y.M. Lowy

The federal government is asking New York City to pause its congestion pricing plan by March 21. This request comes after the U.S. Department of Transportation unexpectedly took back its earlier approval for the program. In response, the MTA quickly filed a lawsuit to protect the plan. 

Governor Kathy Hochul supports the program and is using a strategy called “orderly resistance” against the federal government’s orders. Her office firmly believes that the congestion pricing system will move forward. They say it will help reduce traffic and generate much-needed money for public transit. 

The legal proceedings are set to unfold in Manhattan, where a judge will oversee the case, however, a court date for this hearing has yet to be scheduled.