New York City, breaking the trail, becomes the first United States metropolis to implement congestion pricing. Succeeding in the 2025 challenge stands as the city's crucial test.
Congestion pricing might just provide the much-needed revenue for several cities grappling with financial constraints, while simultaneously alleviating traffic and enhancing air quality. However, legal challenges and President-elect Donald Trump's opposition may dictate whether it represents a fleeting trend or a new development in US cities.
Trump, a native New Yorker with his Trump Tower nestled within Manhattan's congestion zone, has been a vocal critic of the tactic, referring to it as a "disaster" for NYC. In a May social media post, he announced his intention to terminate the program within his first week back in office.
Michael Gerrard, a legal scholar from Columbia Law School, emphasized the importance of initiating congestion pricing prior to the January 2025 inauguration to safeguard its viability. Gerrard served as a member of a coalition of legal experts challenging Governor Kathy Hochul's decision to indefinitely halt congestion pricing in June 2020.
Despite this, Gerrard anticipates that ongoing lawsuits against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will not find much success. Lawsuits against congestion pricing have been heard by numerous federal and state judges, with only one judge identifying minor issues requiring clarification.
Proponents argue that congestion pricing will reduce traffic and pollution while generating revenue for city projects. Critics, however, claim it places an unnecessary burden on drivers and detracts business from the city.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and New York City representatives Mike Lawler and Josh Gottheimer have all expressed opposition to congestion pricing. A December poll revealed that over half of New York City voters disapprove of the program.
Yet, Kate Slevin, an executive vice president at the Regional Plan Association, remains optimistic, anticipating longer travel times, fewer cars on the roads, and enhanced public transit investments to be the ultimate benefits.
New York City's congestion pricing initiative is the first of its kind in the United States, emulating successful implementations in cities like London, Stockholm, and Singapore. Proponents believe public opinion will improve following implementation as individuals become aware of the program's benefits.
The fees for passenger vehicles stand at $9 during peak hours and $2.25 during off-peak hours, while single-unit trucks pay $14.40 and $3.60, respectively. The MTA also offers a 50% discount during peak hours for households with annual incomes below $50,000.
Despite taxpayer opposition and ongoing lawsuits, Gerrard suggests that Trump might face challenges reversing the program since it has already gained legal legitimacy. In fact, only Congress could potentially disrupt congestion pricing by withholding federal funds from the MTA.
However, Congress possesses limited capacity to obstruct the program, as most legal challenges have been dismissed, and even New Jersey's recent attempt to halt the plan was denied in court. According to Roderick Hills Jr., a lawyer from the New York University School of Law, it is unlikely that lawsuits will halt the congestion pricing program given its legal consensus.
Eager spectators in other cities, such as Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., are closely monitoring the development of congestion pricing in New York City, aiming to gauge the public's and courts' reactions. Transport economist and environmental activist Charles Komanoff celebrated the program's commencement on January 5, 2025, after decades of advocacy, expecting it to reshape New Yorkers' relationship with automobiles.
Businesses in New York City might face decreased foot traffic due to the congestion pricing, as some drivers may decide to avoid entering the congestion zone. However, proponents of the pricing argue that the generated revenue could be invested in improving the city's public transportation infrastructure, potentially benefiting businesses in the long run by making it easier for customers to reach them.
