May 17, 2025
New York, NY – A legal tug-of-war is unfolding over New York City's controversial congestion pricing program. In the latest development, the Trump administration has urged a federal judge to reject a request from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) that would prevent the government from taking any action against the new tolls, arguing that no definitive steps have actually been taken.

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT), in a filing late Friday night, informed US District Judge Lewis Liman that a preliminary injunction is unnecessary at this stage. The administration contends it hasn't yet decided on specific measures regarding what it calls the MTA's "scattershot claims."

This high-stakes dispute centers on the $9 toll implemented on January 5th for most drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street. The MTA sees this as a critical measure to reduce traffic and fund public transit, but it has put the agency on a collision course with the federal government.

Background: The Push and Pull Over NYC's Tolls

The MTA initiated the current legal move on May 6th, asking Judge Liman to issue an injunction. This would effectively stop the USDOT from withholding crucial federal approvals or funding as part of President Donald Trump's efforts to dismantle the congestion pricing system. The MTA stated it had reached an "impasse" with federal authorities over the program.

The timeline reveals escalating tensions:

• February 19th: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a reversal of the US approval the congestion pricing plan had secured under former President Joe Biden.
• Same Day (Feb 19th): The MTA promptly sued the federal government, asserting it would not halt tolling operations without a court order.
• April 21st: Secretary Duffy issued an ultimatum: if the tolls weren't stopped by May 21st, the federal government would begin taking unspecified measures on May 28th.
• Following the Ultimatum: The MTA then sought the current preliminary injunction to prevent any such federal actions while their lawsuit proceeds.

The Administration's Stance: Authority and Timing

In the recent Friday filing, Secretary Duffy emphasized the administration's position. He stated that the government has "the authority to terminate the agreement based on changed agency priorities."

Furthermore, the filing addresses the April 21st letter directly: "And to the extent the court finds that the April 21 letter constitutes a final termination, the secretary terminated the agreement reasonably." Essentially, the administration is arguing that even if its communication were seen as a final decision, it was a justified one.

Congestion Relief Zone signage on Park Avenue in New York. Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg

What's Next in the Congestion Pricing Saga?

The core of the USDOT's argument against the injunction is that they haven't actually taken prohibitive action yet. Therefore, they claim, there's no immediate harm to prevent through a court order.

The MTA, however, perceives the administration's statements and deadlines as clear threats to the program's viability and its access to federal support.

The case, Metropolitan Transportation Authority v. Duffy, 25-cv-1413, continues in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York (Manhattan). The judge's decision on the preliminary injunction will be a critical juncture, potentially determining whether New York's congestion pricing can continue unimpeded while the broader legal challenge plays out.