NYC Congestion Pricing Plan Should Be Paused, New Jersey Says
(Bloomberg) -- New Jersey asked a federal judge to block New York from moving forward this weekend with a plan to charge drivers entering Manhattan’s central business district while a legal challenge plays out.
Most Read from Bloomberg
NYPD Seeking Gunmen After 10 People Wounded Outside Queens Venue
Detroit’s Michigan Central Is the Building Revival Story of 2024
A Commuting Resolution for 2025: Ride Your Local Subway or Bus
The request late Tuesday came after Judge Leo Gordon issued a decision the day before that largely rejected New Jersey’s challenge to the congestion pricing traffic program, but ordered federal transportation officials to provide more information about their review and approval of the plan.
While the 72-page ruling didn’t directly address whether the program can go forward on its planned Jan. 5 start date, the judge set deadlines for more court filings in January and February.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said after the ruling that congestion pricing would still start as planned. A lawyer for New Jersey argued that it can’t go forward while legal issues remain unresolved. President-elect Donald Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, has called the program a “massive business killer and tax on New Yorkers” and vowed to stop it.
The program is meant to help the Metropolitan Transportation Authority raise $15 billion to modernize its transit system. It would charge $9 for most drivers entering Manhattan at 60th Street or below. It was designed to reduce traffic and pollution while raising money for the city’s subways, buses and commuter rails.
New Jersey argues the program would increase congestion and tailpipe emissions by drivers looking to avoid the toll by using its bridges as alternate routes.
The case is New Jersey v. US Department of Transportation, 23-cv-3885, US District Court, District of New Jersey (Newark).
--With assistance from Michelle Kaske and Bob Van Voris.
Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek
©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
