Congestion pricing in New York City clears late legal hurdles, judges refuse to delay January start date
NEW YORK -- New York City congestion pricing cleared last-ditch legal challenges Monday in federal court and remains on track to start Jan. 5, 2025, for now.
A federal judge in the Southern District of New York denied requests for a preliminary injunction after hearing arguments in four separate lawsuits filed against the MTA's plan to charge most drivers $9 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street.
Hours later, another federal judge denied Rockland County's request for a temporary injunction to pause congestion pricing.
Federal judges side with MTA in congestion pricing battle
Last week, a Manhattan judge heard arguments on whether four separate lawsuits seeking to block congestion pricing have merit and deserve more consideration. The suits were filed by the United Federation of Teachers, the U.S. Trucking Association of New York, and a group called New Yorkers Against Congestion Pricing Tax.
An injunction would have at least delayed the collection of congestion pricing tolls, but it could potentially have ended the plan altogether if the judge had sided with the plaintiffs.
President-elect Donald Trump has said he is against congestion pricing and could try to kill the plan when he takes office on Jan. 20. New York Rep. Mike Lawler has also promised to back legislation denying the MTA federal funds while it is in effect.
Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella said in a statement on the ruling:
"We are disappointed, but not that surprised, that the judge denied our request for an injunction in our lawsuit against congestion pricing, with less than two weeks to spare before the program begins.
There yet remains a possibility that other legal proceedings may delay the program, as the Rockland County and New Jersey cases are still being considered. Our claims that congestion pricing violates the Green Amendment, Federal NEPA, and the Commerce Clause and right to travel continue to be heard, and it continues to be our hope that the program will be defeated in court.
We also thank President-elect Trump for his ongoing opposition to congestion pricing, which he has vowed to eliminate on his first day in office, and we are optimistic that President-elect Trump will intervene to protect Staten Islanders and end the program once and for all.
As we have said from day one, we will continue to fight against this program on behalf of all those Staten Islanders who stand to gain nothing, and lose much, due to congestion pricing."
However, a federal judge in White Plains followed the Manhattan judge's lead Monday afternoon and denied Rockland County's request to put a pause on congestion pricing.
"You're putting a toll on them for the purpose of making people not drive into the city. It's a punishment, it 's a penalty," said Tom Humbach, the attorney representing Rockland County.
Congestion pricing advocates pleased with court rulings
Advocates for congestion pricing were pleased both judges noted the tolling program's goals of reducing traffic and funding transit improvements.
"Because they'll have less congestion, they'll benefit from a better transit system should they decide that that's the way they want to get into the city," said Lisa Daglian, with the MTA Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee.
MTA lawyers left federal court in White Plains without commenting, but the agency later put out this statement:
"We are gratified by the decisions from these Courts. The cases have highlighted how extensively the Central Business District Tolling Program was studied, as well as the enormous benefits it's expected to provide both to drivers and mass transit users. Congestion pricing will finally tackle the gridlock that is slowing down emergency vehicles, polluting air, and wasting people's time in traffic. It will also bring sorely needed improvements to transit for the nearly 90% of commuters who rely on buses and trains. It's time for congestion relief, and we are ready to go."
Meanwhile, lawsuits filed in New Jersey and on Long Island could still impact the January 5th congestion pricing start date. New York Gov Kathy Hochul recently said efforts to settle the New Jersey suit have been at a standstill.