NEW YORK –Congestion pricing in New York City has been approved a final legal challenge Monday in federal court and remains on track to begin on January 5, 2025, at least for now.
A judge in the Southern District of New York has denied requests for a preliminary injunction after hearing arguments in four separate lawsuits against the MTAs. plan to charge most drivers $9 to enter Manhattan under 60th Street.
Federal judge sides with MTA in battle against congestion pricing
On Friday, the judge said he would soon decide whether any of the four lawsuits were justified and deserved more attention.
The lawsuits were filed by the United Federation of Teachers, the US Trucking Association of New York and a group called New Yorkers Against Congestion Pricing Tax. If the judge had sided with them and issued an injunction, it would have at least postponed the collection of the toll, but the scheme might have been stopped altogether.
President-elect Donald Trump has said he opposes congestion pricing and New York Republican Rep. Mike Lawler pledged to support legislation denying federal MTA funds while it is in effect.
Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella said in a statement in response to the ruling:
“We are disappointed, but not all that surprised, that the judge has denied our request for an injunction in our congestion pricing lawsuit, with less than two weeks to go before the program begins.
There is still a possibility that other legal proceedings could delay the program, as the Rockland County and New Jersey cases are still pending. Our claims that congestion pricing violates the Green Amendment, Federal NEPA, and the Commerce Clause and the right to travel continue to be heard, and it remains our hope that the program will be struck down in court.
We also thank President-elect Trump for his continued opposition to congestion pricing, which he pledged to eliminate on his first day in office, and we are optimistic that President-elect Trump will act to protect Staten Island residents and advance the program will end once and for all. all.
As we have said from day one, we will continue to fight this program on behalf of all those Staten Islanders who will gain nothing and lose much as a result of the congestion charge.”
Other lawsuits could still delay the congestion charge
Despite Monday morning’s ruling, a different federal judge is still deciding whether to grant Rockland County’s request for a preliminary injunction to halt the congestion pricing. A hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. in White Plains.
Separate attempts to settle additional lawsuit filed by New Jersey have stood stillNew York Governor Kathy Hochul said recently.
