Statements & Press Releases
Press Release from the Congestion Pricing Now Coalition
October 1, 2026
Congestion relief is delivering better, more accessible transit, cleaner air, and faster commutes, advocates tell federal court
Congestion Pricing Now Coalition files amicus curiae briefs urging the U.S. Court of Appeals to reject the Trump administration’s bid to turn off the congestion relief program, which has already delivered significant subway accessibility improvements, cleaner streets, and enhanced mobility region-wide.
— Click here for disability advocates’ brief —
— Click here for environmental, transit, business and civic organization brief —
— Click here for Regional Plan Association brief —
New York, N.Y. (October 1, 2026) — A diverse group of disability, environmental, and transit advocates — along with large business and civic organizations — joined the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in defending New York City’s Congestion Relief Program against the Trump administration’s legal bid to terminate it in Metropolitan Transportation Authority v. Duffy, urging a federal appellate court to preserve the program.
In amicus briefs filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, Wang Hecker LLP, Mobilization for Justice, the Environmental Defense Fund, and the Regional Plan Association highlighted the real-world benefits congestion relief is already delivering across the New York region and beyond, urging the court to protect that progress as the Trump administration continues its effort to terminate the program. The Trump administration appealed a District Court decision in March blocking U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy from ending the program.
“New Yorkers may not agree on everything, but almost everyone can agree that good accessible public transit and clean air are basic needs here,” said Kate Boicourt, New York State Director for Environmental Defense Fund. “Thanks to the congestion relief program, we’re getting these improvements — we can now travel faster, breathe cleaner air, and have more accessible transit. We must protect our right to choose a program that makes this region a healthier and more accessible place for New Yorkers and commuters.”
Together, the coalition presented a body of evidence proving the concrete policy improvements the program has generated, including hundreds of millions in investments in disability-accessible subway stations, significant reductions in air pollution, and faster commutes for busriders and drivers.
Key data points highlighted in the amicus briefs:
Manhattan delays dropped 25%, saving drivers approximately 15 minutes per hour in traffic.
Drivers are saving as much as 17 minutes on their trips throughout the region. Buses move 3% faster, and emergency response times are improved.
Access-a-Ride users are experiencing faster trips, which helps to meet the increasing demand — 21% increase following the implementation of the tolling program.
Greenhouse gas emissions dropped 6.1% between January and September 2025 after congestion relief program implementation.
$105 million committed to communities across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and New Jersey, for pollution mitigation measures including asthma services, school air filtration, roadside vegetation, and green-space improvements.
Over $550 million raised to build elevators and improve accessibility at 23 Subway stations, with nine projects already underway.
Bus ridership has increased 8% a year within the Congestion Relief Zone and subway trips have increased 9% since the program went into effect, resulting in fewer vehicles on the road and reducing emissions and traffic congestion.
“Congestion pricing has worked wonders for commuters across the region,” said Kate Slevin, Executive Vice President, Regional Plan Association. “Bus speeds are up, and commuters from the five boroughs, New Jersey, Long Island, Westchester, and beyond are spending less time in traffic. After years of debate over whether this program would work, we now have robust data showing that it does.”
“Every New Yorker — including those with disabilities — is entitled to the freedom to move around the city safely and independently,” said Christopher Schuyler, Managing Attorney, Disability Justice Program at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest. “Congestion pricing helps secure that freedom by funding desperately-needed accessibility improvements across our subway system. For New Yorkers with disabilities, these upgrades have opened doors that would have otherwise been closed: jobs, healthcare, recreation, and everything else our city has to offer. For far too long, New Yorkers with disabilities have been denied the chance to move around the city freely and affordably, and it’s essential we preserve the progress this program is now delivering.”
“Congestion pricing is already providing critical benefits for New Yorkers with disabilities, both by funding accessibility improvements and by reducing traffic to enable the vehicles that actually need to be on the road — such as Access-a-Ride, buses, and emergency vehicles — to move efficiently,” said Daniel Mullkoff, a partner at Wang Hecker LLP.
Accessible transportation is fundamental to the ability of New Yorkers with disabilities to get to work, obtain medical care, attend school, and participate fully in their communities. Congestion pricing is already providing funding for long-overdue accessibility improvements. That is why it is so critical that the decision blocking the Trump Administration’s illegal attempt to roll back congestion pricing remain in effect,” said Sebastian Riccardi, a staff attorney at Mobilization for Justice.
“New York's economy runs on its ability to move people and goods, and congestion relief is making that faster and more reliable," said Steven Fulop, President and CEO of the Partnership for New York City. "Employers across the five boroughs and the wider region are seeing the results: shorter commutes for their workers and dedicated funding for the transit system that keeps this city competitive. Ending the program now would mean more gridlock, dirtier air, and lost investment just as it's proving its worth. New York's business community stands with the MTA in urging the court to let this progress continue."
“As a lifelong New Yorker, I know the central role that public transit plays in the life of our city,” said Brian Farkas, a partner at ArentFox Schiff LLP, which represents Regional Plan Association before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. “The data is clear: congestion relief is cutting commute times, cleaning our air, and funding long-overdue infrastructure improvements. ArentFox Schiff is proud to represent RPA in presenting these facts to the Second Circuit and urging the court to preserve a program that is delivering measurable results for the region.”
“The benefits of Congestion Pricing in Manhattan extend far beyond its borders and affect us in Jersey City as well,” said Tyler Newcomb, President of Bike JC. “For decades, northern New Jersey has been treated as nothing more than a cut through for suburban car commuters, making our streets unsafe, our cities loud, and our air quality dangerously bad. Since implementation, Congestion Pricing has improved the lives of the tens of thousands of New Jersey Residents who rely on buses and public transportation to commute or travel for work or leisure into Manhattan.”
“This first-in-the-nation policy is delivering big time for New Yorkers: less time in traffic, faster buses, cleaner air, safer streets, and billions of dollars for the MTA to modernize the system and deliver more frequent, reliable service,” said Julie Tighe, President, New York League of Conservation Voters. “We can’t drive our way out of the climate crisis, and by reducing the number of cars on the road, cutting traffic, and strengthening the transit system millions of New Yorkers rely on, congestion pricing is making New York a better place to live.
“Funding for accessibility improvements and upgrades must remain a priority for the MTA. We believe that the continuation of Congestion Pricing is essential to this goal. The Elevator Action Group believes accessibility is not a dismissible issue, it is not a luxury or a convenience, it is a necessity and a civil right. We will continue to fight for a truly public transit system — accessible to ALL — because elevators are for everyone.”
“Advocates always knew that Congestion Pricing was a winning policy that would provide New Yorkers not just with essential public transit funding, but also a better way of life,” said New York Building Congress President & CEO Carlo A. Scissura, Esq. You can see the results of it everywhere you look, not just on safer, greener roads, but in a new elevator installed at a subway station or a new modernized LIRR car. The naysayers need to know when to say when, and cease this unending, frivolous, and losing battle against true progress and a more equitable city for all.”
“Congestion pricing is congestion relief, and it’s leading the way to a better future for our region,” said Lisa Daglian, Executive Director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA, PCAC. “The improvements we’ve seen as a result of the program continue to grow, with fewer cars entering the zone, air quality mitigation projects underway, and — critically important — essential money for vital transit infrastructure like accessibility upgrades, signal and substation improvements, new train cars and buses, and more on the horizon. The numbers don’t lie, and New Yorkers and visitors are experiencing the benefits of congestion relief every day.”
“New Yorkers can't go back to terrible traffic,” said Ben Furnas, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. “By every possible metric, congestion relief has improved our city — cutting commute times, getting rid of gridlock, and funding public transit. We look forward to seeing the program’s continued success in the years to come!”
“Anytime you have environmental groups, civic organizations, disability advocates, and the business community all delivering the same message, that's something,” said Eric A. Goldstein, NYC Environment Director at Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and one of the lawyers representing the groups in the amicus filings. “New York's congestion pricing measure is performing exactly as promised — less traffic, fewer crashes, less pollution, time saved for businesses, and money to improve the region’s transit network — and the Trump Administration’s attempt to upend this successful program has no legal merit.”
“New York’s transit is the cardiovascular system of our economy, connecting millions of people to jobs and supporting businesses across the five boroughs,” said REBNY President James Whelan. “Congestion pricing is reducing traffic while generating critical funding to improve and modernize that system. A stronger, more reliable transit system will help New York continue to grow and compete for years to come.”
Read the amicus briefs here:
Signatories:
504 Democratic Club
Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York
Elevator Action Group
Harlem Independent Living Center
Mobilization for Justice, Inc.
New York Lawyers for the Public Interest
Tri-State Transportation Campaign
Environmental, Transit, Business and Civic
Signatories:
Environmental Defense Fund
Natural Resources Defense Council
New York League of Conservation Voters
Partnership for New York City
Real Estate Board of New York
WE ACT for Environmental Justice
Open Plans
Reinvent Albany
MoveNY
CIVITAS
New York Public Interest Research Group Fund
Tri-State Transportation Campaign
New York City Environmental Justice Alliance
Bike Jersey City
New York Lawyers for the Public Interest
Get more facts about the benefits of congestion relief HERE.
Statement from the Congestion Pricing Now Coalition on First Anniversary of Congestion Relief Program
January 1, 2026
“Today, we’re proudly celebrating a landmark anniversary: one year of New York’s congestion relief program. In just 12 months, we’ve seen faster commutes across the city, fewer cars clogging the streets, a decrease in air pollution, and a dedicated funding stream for transit improvements and upgrades that will keep New Yorkers healthy and on the move for years to come. To date, the city has seen:
Commuters, including drivers, saving as much as 17 minutes on their trips throughout the region, with bus speeds increasing by up to 24%
Air pollution decreased 22% in the congestion relief zone, along with declines across the five boroughs and surrounding suburbs
Over $500 million raised to modernize subways, support good jobs, and expand accessibility at 23 subway stations, including seven already underway
This is just the beginning – as we look to the future, we’re excited to build on this momentum and bring more benefits to all five boroughs, and the entire region. Beyond the numbers, this program’s success is a reminder that with determination, political leadership, and collaboration, we can deliver real, meaningful change for New Yorkers.”
Statement from the Congestion Pricing Now Coalition on the 2025 NYC Mayor Election Results
November 5, 2025
“Congratulations to Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani on a hard-fought victory for working New Yorkers — the overwhelming majority of whom rely on buses, subways, and trains to move throughout the city and beyond. His campaign’s vision for fast and affordable buses is exactly the kind of forward-looking, transformative transportation policy that congestion relief is helping to achieve. The Congestion Pricing Now coalition looks forward to working together to ensure a higher quality of life for every New Yorker with cleaner air, safer streets, faster commutes, and more reliable and accessible public transit.”
Statement from the Congestion Pricing Now Coalition on Judge Liman’s Preliminary Injunction Against the Trump Administration’s Baseless Attacks in MTA v. Duffy
May 28, 2025
“Another day, another victory – the congestion relief program is working, and now, thanks to the court’s decision to grant a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration’s baseless and wasteful attacks, New Yorkers can look forward to a summer of faster commutes, cleaner air and quieter streets. We look forward to continuing the fight in the courts for a more liveable, sustainable city.”
Statement from the Congestion Pricing Now Coalition in Response to Federal Department of Transportation May 21, 2025 Shut Off Deadline
May 21, 2025
“Once again, another arbitrary deadline has come and gone. The Congestion Relief Program continues to deliver for New Yorkers and residents throughout the region. Traffic is down, business is up, commutes are faster and New Yorkers are breathing easier. The data clearly shows that congestion relief works and that the Administration’s continuing efforts to end this successful program are a misuse of time, resources, and taxpayer dollars. Transit is the lifeblood of our region’s economy and every day that the cameras stay on moves us forward — toward a healthy, affordable and more equitable future.”
Statement from the Congestion Pricing Now Coalition on the Amicus Brief Filed for the MTA v. Duffy Lawsuit
May 16, 2025
“Secretary Duffy’s unlawful interference with the congestion relief program threatens to reverse hard-won progress on faster commutes, safer streets, cleaner air and transit improvements for millions of New Yorkers and New Jerseyans. The data continues to support the tangible, everyday benefits to New Yorkers both in and out of the congestion relief zone, whether driving, taking transit, or walking the streets. The federal government continues to fight a losing battle with a policy that has brought immediate benefits to the New York City region and beyond. Advocates in our coalition are affirming our support of the legal fight to defend a program that’s delivering real results – and to ensure New Yorkers get the fair, reliable, and sustainable transportation system they were promised.”
Statement from the Congestion Pricing Now Coalition in Response to Federal Department of Transportation April 20, 2025 Shut Off Deadline
April 20, 2025
“Traffic is down, business is up, and New Yorkers are breathing easier. By every measure, the Congestion Relief Program is delivering exactly what it promised: faster commutes, cleaner air, and real investment in the transit system that powers our economy. Transit is the lifeblood of our region’s economy, and every day that the cameras stay on, we’re moving forward towards a stronger future.”
Statement from the Congestion Pricing Now Coalition on Federal Extension Deadline
March 21, 2025
“New York will not be steamrolled. Congestion pricing works – our streets are safer and moving faster, transit ridership is up, crime is down, our air is cleaner, and our economy is thriving. Attempts to block this successful policy are nothing more than an attack on New York’s right to govern itself. We commend Governor Kathy Hochul and MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber for refusing to let the Trump administration take away the economic, transit, equity, and environmental benefits that New Yorkers fought for. New York has always led the way with bold, forward-thinking policies, and we will not allow political interference to undermine our progress. We stand united in defending congestion pricing and ensuring that our city continues to move forward. We won’t back down.”
Statement from the Congestion Pricing Coalition in Response to Trump’s Congestion Pricing Reversal
February 19, 2025
“Congestion pricing works, and the data proves it. Commute times are shorter for everyone – both drivers and mass transit riders – and our streets are safer and more lively than before. More than that, it’s the law. Any attempt to kill this program, which was authorized by the federal government, is an unwarranted intrusion into state and local governance. Interference from the federal government will waste taxpayer dollars on lawsuits, upend critical congestion relief and the cleaner air that goes along with it, derail vital transit upgrades that are already underway and the roughly 100,000 jobs they support, and hurt millions of daily transit riders across the tri-state region. We call on all of New York’s leaders to defend New York’s congestion pricing plan and protect a program that’s delivering real results for our region.”
Statement from the Congestion Pricing Now Coalition on a Historic and Promising First Week
January 10, 2025
“As the first week of congestion pricing comes to a close, we’re already witnessing remarkable improvements from this first-in-the-nation program, including shorter travel times across the city and robust transit ridership. As the program fully takes effect, commuters can look forward to even greater strides in transit improvements, repairs, and other benefits in the months ahead. Along the way, the Congestion Pricing Now coalition remains committed to tracking its impact and working together to fulfill our promise of a city that works better for everyone.
The results we’re seeing are about more than just tackling gridlock. Congestion pricing is a hard-won step in securing the future of the region’s shared infrastructure. As a national leader, New York’s adoption of this bold policy reminds us we can accomplish big things. Congestion pricing is already on its way to making the streets safer for all, reducing air pollution, and supporting well-paying union jobs that will fuel the economy and protect our environment for decades to come.”
Statement from the Congestion Pricing Now Coalition on the First Day of Congestion Pricing
January 5, 2025
"The start of congestion pricing is a historic moment for New York and the nation. This long-overdue, transformative policy will deliver cleaner air, safer streets and better transportation to New Yorkers. Years in the making, we know that the program will bring tangible benefits to the millions of New Yorkers who rely on public transportation or commute throughout the region every day. We applaud this forward-thinking investment in New York’s future. Today is a day to celebrate a new era of reliable, accessible transit."
Statement from the Congestion Pricing Now Coalition in Response to the Governor's Announcement on Congestion Pricing
November 12, 204
“We commend Governor Hochul for heeding our call to turn on congestion pricing. Every New Yorker deserves clean air, safer streets, and reliable transit, and this program gives us a clear path forward to make progress on these goals. Governor Hochul’s plan ensures that New York can decide its own fate, regardless of who is in the White House, and continue to be a leader in addressing climate change. Congestion pricing is a critical tool to secure a livable, resilient future for New York, and we thank the Governor for rising to meet the urgency of this moment.”
Statement from the Congestion Pricing Now Coalition Regarding the 2024 Presidential Election Results
November 6, 2024
“We can no longer afford to play political games with our state’s future. All New Yorkers deserve reliable transit, clean air, and safe streets, but we’re leaving our fate to Donald Trump, who has promised time and again to end congestion pricing. It’s time to reinstate congestion pricing now and get this critical program up and running before the next administration takes office. Without a partner in the federal government to support our transit system and climate initiatives, Governor Hochul must take matters into her own hands and do everything she can to protect New Yorkers.”
Statement from the Congestion Pricing Now Coalition Following the New York State Supreme Court rejection of Governor Hochul’s Motion to Dismiss Congestion Pricing Lawsuit
October 15, 2024
“Governor Hochul’s ongoing failure to lead on this critical issue is alarming, and her response today overlooks the health and safety of millions of New Yorkers. Congestion pricing was signed into law in 2019, yet Hochul continues to prioritize her agenda over the well-being of her constituents. The impact of this delay is severe – stalling vital transit projects, costing jobs, and worsening traffic congestion that harms public health. Not only is her blatant ignorance of the rule of law damaging to New Yorkers and our environment, but it also has zero legal standing. It’s time for Governor Hochul to stop the unnecessary pause and implement congestion pricing now.”