Trump Weighs Rescinding Controversial Manhattan Toll

ALBANY, New York — President Donald Trump is considering withdrawing federal support for a controversial New York City toll program — a move that could halt it, according to three people familiar with the discussions.

The Department of Transportation conversations, first reported by The New York Times, could short circuit a $9 toll program that took effect Jan. 5 and has stoked deep passions from supporters and foes alike. Trump has railed against the “congestion pricing” program in his native New York City and vowed during his campaign last year to kill it.

Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul and Trump spoke this week about the toll program, though no final decision was made, according to two people with knowledge of the matter who were granted anonymity to speak about the private talks. The moderate Democratic governor and president are expected to speak again next week, the people said.

New York officials want to leverage the projected $1 billion in tolls for drivers who enter Manhattan below 60th Street in order to borrow $15 billion for infrastructure upgrades to the region’s ailing mass transit system.

Hochul initially paused the program before it took effect last June over concerns the tolls would hurt Democratic candidates in swing New York House races. She revived the toll plan after Election Day, and announced a reduced fee from $15 to $9.

Rescinding approval for congestion pricing would likely trigger a lawsuit from state officials and raise questions over how the Metropolitan Transportation Authority will be able to bolster its crumbling infrastructure. GOP lawmakers have discussed linking federal aid for the MTA to requiring a forensic audit of the authority.

“America’s economy relies on New York City, and New York City relies on public transit — that’s why Governor Hochul will always advocate for funding the commuter rail, subways and buses that fuel the economic growth of the greatest city in the world,” Hochul spokesperson Avi Small said.

A White House spokesperson declined to comment.

Trump administratively smothering the toll program would be a victory for New York House Republicans who have also spoken with the president about ending it without waiting for the resolution to a New Jersey-backed lawsuit.

“He’s told us that he wants to address it,” Rep. Nicole Malliotakis said. “I won’t be surprised that something comes down the pike soon. He’s made this a priority, he’s put it at the top of his list of things to do at the Department of Transportation.”

A debate over limiting traffic in Manhattan’s business district has raged for decades in New York. The program survived multiple legal challenges to be put in place this month. MTA officials had hoped critics — including Trump — would come around to see the professed benefits of the program. Transit officials in recent days have highlighted reduced traffic as a sign the tolls are working as intended.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has been trying to leverage his and Trump’s mutual dislike of congestion pricing. On inauguration day, the Democratic governor sent the Republican president a letter saying they aligned in their opposition to the tolls.

Randy Mastro, an attorney for Murphy, said the federal government may reconsider its prior approval, especially since a judge asked the federal transportation officials to take another look at the tolling program.

“Thus, this is an appropriate time for reflection, reassessment and potential change on the federal government's part,” Mastro said.