Hochul rejects Trump's deadline for NYC congestion pricing

Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed that New York City’s congestion pricing cameras will remain active despite a deadline set by President Trump. She emphasized that her focus is on improving Penn Station, a project where she and Trump share some agreement. Hochul stated on Tuesday that she is unsure if her recent meeting with Trump changed his view on the congestion toll. She made it clear that the toll for driving into Manhattan will be enforced as long as the legal dispute over it continues. The head of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Janno Lieber, reiterated that the March 21 deadline from the Trump administration will not stop the tolls. Trump has openly criticized the congestion pricing program, promising to abolish it if he returns to office. However, Hochul believes there is potential for cooperation, especially regarding the improvement of Penn Station. She mentioned that discussions about the station might help keep dialogue open on the congestion pricing issue. During her interactions with Trump, Hochul even shared promotional materials about the benefits of congestion pricing. While she has expressed high hopes for the Penn Station project, she noted that plans have faced delays, particularly due to differing visions from Amtrak. Local Assemblyman Tony Simone welcomed Hochul's stance against certain Amtrak proposals that could harm the neighborhood. He expressed excitement about the prospects for the Penn Station project while maintaining that it should not be tied to the congestion pricing debate.