President Donald Trump's administration has taken action to block the New York City congestion pricing toll program. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sent a letter to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, stating that the Federal Highway Administration's approval of the pilot program was deemed 'not authorized by law.'
Duffy expressed concerns about the impact of the congestion pricing plan on working-class Americans and small business owners. He argued that commuters entering New York City have already contributed to the construction and maintenance of highways through gas taxes and other levies. The toll program, according to Duffy, eliminates free highway alternatives for drivers and diverts funds towards the transit system rather than highway infrastructure.
Furthermore, Duffy highlighted the adverse effects of the program on small businesses in New York that depend on customers from neighboring states like New Jersey and Connecticut. He also pointed out that the tolls could increase costs for trucks, potentially leading to higher prices for goods and hindering the flow of commerce into New York.
The administration's stance is that access to New York City should be equitable for all Americans, regardless of their economic status, and not limited to a privileged few. The concerns raised by Duffy underscore the administration's opposition to the congestion pricing toll program and its perceived negative implications on various stakeholders.
