Federal judge says Trump administration can't kill NYC's congestion pricing tolls

Source: Gothamist/WNYC New York, NY

Published Mar 3, 2026 at 12:57 p.m. ET


President Donald Trump’s effort to stop the MTA’s congestion pricing program fell flat Tuesday after a federal judge ruled the U.S. Department of Transportation’s attempt to kill the tolls was unlawful. The order from Manhattan U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman stated Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy doesn’t have the authority to revoke federal approval for the program.

The ruling represents a major loss for Trump who, during his 2024 campaign, vowed to “TERMINATE” the tolls upon returning to office. The White House last month dispatched one of its top legal attack dogs to fight the tolls in court. Representatives for the White House and U.S. DOT did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The feds approved the congestion tolls under former President Joe Biden, and the MTA launched the program in early January 2025. It imposes a $9 daytime base fee on drivers who enter Manhattan south of 60th Street, and uses the revenue to fund mass transit improvements. The MTA said it raked in $562 million from the fees last year. Duffy sent a letter to the MTA last February demanding the agency stop charging the fees or else face funding cuts. The MTA responded with a lawsuit.

“We’ve said it all along, and Judge Liman’s clear, detailed ruling leaves no doubt: congestion pricing is legal. It’s here to stay.

Read more: https://gothamist.com/news/federal-judge-says-trump-administration-cant-kill-nycs-congestion-pricing-tolls