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President Trump considering ending congestion pricing, highly-placed source says

President Trump exploring options to kill NYC's congestion pricing program, source says
President Trump exploring options to kill NYC's congestion pricing program, source says 01:40

NEW YORK -- New York City congestion pricing could be on life support. 

President Donald Trump and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul have spoken twice in the past week about ending congestion pricing tolls in the city, a highly-placed source familiar with the conversation told CBS News New York's Marcia Kramer. 

The most recent conversation happened Thursday morning, the source said.

The discussions have happened within congestion pricing's first month in effect.

Hochul defends program

During the conversation, Hochul told Mr. Trump that initial data shows congestion pricing was working, and made the case for keeping the program, the source told Kramer. 

Hochul tried to convince him the program is making a big difference in New York, not only raising much-needed cash for the area's aging transportation system, but reducing traffic and speeding commutes. 

According to the MTA, the congestion pricing program has already resulted in 1 million fewer vehicles entering the most congested parts of Manhattan since it started on Jan. 5, and reduced travel times on inbound bridges and tunnels by 10-30%. 

"America's economy relies on New York City, and New York City relies on public transit -- that's why Gov. Hochul will always advocate for funding the commuter rail, subways and buses that fuel the economic growth of the greatest city in the world," a spokesperson for Hochul said.   

Mr. Trump told Hochul he wouldn't take any action to stop it without speaking with her first, the source said.

Friday, Hochul confirmed the conversations but refused to discuss details.

"[Trump] and people around him have said they're not supportive of this, but my job is to advocate on behalf of New York state and our policies with every tool I have, and that is to use my voice and have conversations that are important, I believe, to the process," she said.

The governor said she and the president will continue their talks next week.

The MTA has touted the results of the program thus far. 

"Before the start of congestion relief, talk of lawsuits and doubts dominated the conversation, but now it's the undeniably positive results we've been seeing since week one," MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said. "Better bus service, faster drive times and safer streets are good for all New Yorkers."        

Congestion pricing in the crosshairs

Mr. Trump has previously said he would "terminate" congestion pricing, and he is under pressure from local members of Congress to kill it.  

Lawmakers from New Jersey, Long Island and the northern suburbs of New York have all vigorously opposed the plan and have tried repeatedly to stop it, though it has survived every legal challenge to date. 

"I know that the president has already tasked the Department of Transportation to come up with options he has to halt the program," Rep. Nicole Malliotakis said. 

Malliotakis has had multiple meetings with Mr. Trump about halting congestion pricing.

"He has directed his DOT to look at legal options to see what could be done from the federal level," she said.

Rep. Mike Lawler met with Mr. Trump in the Oval Office last week. 

"Where he reiterated his belief that congestion pricing needs to be killed," Lawler said. "I believe it's imperative this program be stopped. It is adversely impacting commuters."

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy wrote a letter to Mr. Trump asking him to stop the program, which seems to be in tune with his constituents.

There are sure to be lawsuits if Mr. Trump tries to reverse the newly implemented program.

"We would defend this program with everything we've got," said Danny Pearlstein, with the Riders Alliance.

Commuters sound off

Drivers remain divided.

"We pay a lot to go over the bridge. It keeps adding up," Fort Lee resident Debra Athanasopoulos said. 

"I think it's ludicrous. I think it's just a bit crazy with all the prices going up," Fort Lee resident Jeffrey Orta said. 

Joe Mohageb's commute from New Jersey to New York City may be 20 minutes quicker, but it's also more expensive.

"I would love for President Trump to bring down congestion pricing," he said. "It's costing me extra every day."

"Finally, I can get to work on time. I think it's an excellent thing," Hackensack resident Carlos Peters said.

New York commuters are also divided. 

"Better off. You can get more people in the city and not have to charge too much money to get all the consumer goods into the city," one Long Island man said. 

"I've been taking the train now for the last two months. Before that, I was driving. It was two and a half hours to get there, so I kind of think it's a good thing," commuter Andrew Peters said. "I'd like to see it stay." 

"If it goes away, we save some money, right?" driver James Lau said.

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