Federal Judge Upholds Manhattan's Congestion Pricing Program

Trump administration's attempt to revoke approval for the program ruled unlawful

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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A federal judge has ruled that Manhattan's congestion pricing program can continue, handing a victory to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The judge said the Trump administration's attempt to revoke approval for the program was unlawful, as the program was the 'product of a democratic process' that cannot be arbitrarily revoked.

Why it matters

The congestion pricing program is the first of its kind in the nation, aimed at reducing traffic congestion during peak hours and raising funds for the city's public transit system. The ruling preserves this innovative approach to addressing urban transportation challenges.

The details

Under the congestion pricing program, passenger vehicles are charged $9 to access Manhattan below 60th Street during peak hours. The extra per-ride surcharge is 75 cents for taxis and black car services, and $1.50 for Ubers and Lyfts. During peak hours, small trucks and charter buses will be charged $14.40, while large trucks and tour buses must pay $21.60. The Trump administration had moved to reverse approval of the program last year, but the federal judge reaffirmed an order from last May upholding the program.

  • The congestion pricing program went into effect last year.
  • The Trump administration moved to reverse approval of the program last year.
  • The federal judge issued a 149-page ruling on March 3, 2026 upholding the program.

The players

Judge Lewis Liman

The federal judge who ruled that Manhattan's congestion pricing program can continue, saying the Trump administration's attempt to revoke approval for the program was unlawful.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority

The agency that oversees the congestion pricing program in Manhattan, which was handed a victory in the federal court ruling.

Sean Duffy

The former Transportation Secretary under the Trump administration, who said at the time that the 'scope of this pilot project as approved exceeds the authority authorized by Congress' and called it 'backwards and unfair'.

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What they’re saying

“'It is difficult to imagine more arbitrary and capricious decision-making than that at issue here.'”

— Judge Lewis Liman (ktlo.com)

“'The [Value Pricing Pilot Program] was passed by Congress. The [Traffic Mobility Act] was passed by democratically elected legislators and signed by a Governor elected by the people of New York. The [Value Pricing Pilot Program] Agreement was authorized by a Secretary nominated by a duly elected President and confirmed by the Senate. The democratic process worked.'”

— Judge Lewis Liman (ktlo.com)

What’s next

The Trump administration is free to continue to make public statements and ask the Secretary of Transportation to look into whether there are lawful means to end the congestion pricing program, and the Secretary has the right to continue to fight the case and take an appeal of the court's orders.

The takeaway

The federal judge's ruling preserves an innovative approach to addressing urban transportation challenges that was the product of a democratic process, rejecting the Trump administration's attempt to arbitrarily revoke the program. This decision upholds the ability of local governments to implement policies aimed at reducing traffic congestion and funding public transit, even in the face of federal opposition.