Trump administration hits NYC with deadline to turn off tolling machines
Commuters have mixed reactions, with some saying the biggest difference has been to their wallets
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New York Gov. Kathy Hochul sat in on an MTA meeting Wednesday, on the heels of the city receiving a letter from the United States Department of Transportation that set a deadline to cease the collection of tolls on Federal-aid highways for New York’s Central Business District Tolling Program or congestion pricing.
The letter, addressed to the MTA president and New York City DOT commissioners says in part, “In order to provide NYSDOT and its project sponsors time to terminate operations of this pilot project in an orderly manner, this rescission of approval and termination of the November 21,2024 Agreement will be effective on March 21, 2025.”
Commuters have mixed reactions, with some saying the biggest difference has been to their wallets.
"The fact that on top of parking and everything else, now I’m paying another toll. I’m paying for the tunnel and now I’m paying another $9," said Jim Daw, a commuter from Long Island said.
Wednesday coverage
Other drivers, like Daniel Zeffert, from Connecticut, said the program works. "It does what we want it to do but we need to give it time," he said.
In the Garden State, commuters along with elected officials praised President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend the program.
However, Gov. Kathy Hochul is ready for a fight.
"We are in court; you may have asked for orderly cessation. I will propose something in the alternative orderly resistance," Hochul said.
