Trump administration criticizes congestion pricing plan, urges better approach
NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Days after the Trump administration extended the deadline for the MTA to kill the congestion pricing plan, Department of Secretary Sean Duffy reiterated that he believes it is unlawful.
Duffy commented on the plan during a visit to the sinkhole site on I-80 in New Jersey, comparing the city's subway system to "a dirty homeless shelter," urging Hochul to lower crime on public transit before urging people to take it.
"A good government would dictate that you actually do things well for the people that you serve, which is a clean, safe environment that people can ride transit," said Duffy.
Duffy called the plan a "fundraising ploy" by Hochul to raise money for the transit system.
"This is the first time we've had a situation where the American people have paid for the roads of New York City, where they don't have a free pathway to use those roads. A lot of workers that go into the city, can't afford $9 in and $9 out. There has to be a better approach. You just can't say you are going to tax and toll drivers to raise money for transit. It wasn't really about congestion."
Meanwhile, Hochul continues to tout congestion pricing success.
She continued to stress this belief, posting the following on X: "Traffic is down and business is up! You gotta move fast to make it in New York City, and thanks to congestion pricing, commuters are saving up to 21 minutes per trip, meaning more New Yorkers are hitting the streets of midtown Manhattan in record time."
“I have a direct communication line with the president and I feel confident we will find a path forward not just on important revenue, but something that stimulates a quality of life in the city we have not seen for a long time,” Hochul said during a press conference on March 21.
Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here.