Donald Trump Returns New York to Cars

The Trump administration has ordered the halt of New York’s congestion pricing designed to reduce traffic and fund public transportation.

It has long been known that reducing CO2 emissions by decreasing automobile traffic is not a priority for Donald Trump. But what to think when the president cancels existing measures? The New York congestion pricing, launched on January 5, imposed a fee of up to $9 during peak hours for vehicles entering southern Manhattan. The system operates through license plate readers installed at great expense. Despite clear traffic improvements, the federal government canceled its approval, labeling this measure as a financial burden for working-class citizens and small businesses. The Department of Transportation announced the immediate dismantling of the system.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) immediately filed a lawsuit to keep the toll active, and New York’s Governor, Kathy Hochul, stated that the program would continue during the judicial proceedings.

Donald Trump, who promised to cancel this project as soon as he was elected, celebrated this decision by declaring that “Manhattan and New York are free.” Hochul firmly replied, dismissing any Prince’s decree on her New York territory. This toll, inspired by similar systems in London and Singapore, aimed to modernize transportation infrastructure by using revenue to fund essential works. But New York is not London or Singapore, and the project is divisive. Criticism mainly comes from the suburbs and areas poorly served by inadequate and aging public transportation. Contrary to all expectations, Trump’s decision is overwhelmingly supported by New Yorkers, and Vox Populi…

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