The 47th Administration

March 3, 2026

Federal Court Rules That Trump Administration’s Attempt to End Congestion Pricing Is Unlawful

Victory

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After 1-year anniversary, the Congestion Pricing program has cleaned the air, made streets safer, boosted local economy, and added millions for public transportation improvements

Contacts

Nydia Gutiérrez, ngutierrez@earthjustice.org

Legal document
New York, NY —

Today, the United States District Court-Southern District of New York rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to wipe out New York City’s proven-successful Congestion Pricing program. Represented by Earthjustice, Riders Alliance and Sierra Club filed a lawsuit joining the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) as interveners on March 4, 2025.  Today’s decision awards summary judgment to the MTA and to Riders Alliance and Sierra Club as Intervenors, rejecting the Trump administration’s effort to have Riders Alliance’s and Sierra Club’s claims dismissed.

“This a huge win for New Yorkers and for our democracy,” said Dror Ladin, Senior Attorney at Earthjustice. “President Trump declared himself a king and decreed that congestion pricing was dead. But the court confirmed today that Trump has no power to override the democratic process that brought us Congestion Pricing. It remains very much alive, and is delivering great results for our air, our streets, our public transit, and our climate.”

The lawsuit responded to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s attempt to rescind prior federal approval. U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman has already ruled the federal government cannot withhold transportation funds while the case proceeds.

Despite criticism from President Donald Trump, who has called the toll “a disaster for New York,” Congestion Pricing continues to prove the opposite: cleaner air, faster travel, stronger transit, and a thriving business district. See more details.

A graphic showing how much PM2.5 pollution has decreased in various parts of the Congestion Relief Zone in Manhattan since congestion pricing was implemented. Text on the graphic says "In just the first six months, PM2.5 pollution fell by 22% in the toll zone, with air quality monitors across the area showing significant drops in concentration levels.

(Casey Chin / Earthjustice)

 

A subway train on the 7 line in Queens, with New York City's Manhattan skyline in the background.
A subway train on the 7 line in Queens. New York City's congestion pricing program is raising millions for public transit improvements and significantly reducing traffic. (Marco Bottigelli / Getty Images)

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