The congestion pricing policy planned to be implemented on January 5th next year is facing legal challenges and may be delayed. On December 20th, Federal Judge Lewis Liman heard arguments in at least four lawsuits against the congestion pricing policy, while the legal battle between New York and New Jersey continues. On that day, one of the plaintiffs, “New Yorkers Against Congestion Pricing Tax,” held a rally outside the Manhattan federal courthouse, urging the judge to issue a “temporary restraining order” against the congestion pricing plan.
After having their collective lawsuit rejected earlier this year, “New Yorkers Against Congestion Pricing Tax” refiled their appeal in November. The organization, along with several community leaders and residents, gathered outside the court before the hearing, calling for a temporary restraining order to delay the implementation of the congestion pricing policy. Chairperson Susan Lee stated that congestion pricing will increase residents’ cost of living, especially prices of goods and services, and emphasized the need for urgent action by the court as the policy will impact every New Yorker’s wallet.
Former Chinatown City Council Member and retired judge Kathryn Freed criticized the policy as unjust to small businesses and exacerbating economic pressures on residents, stating that it is essentially a tax that even those reliant on public transportation will bear as their daily cost of living increases. Aixa Torres, Chairperson of the Manhattan Smith Government Building Association, highlighted the additional pressure low-income residents will face due to rising living costs.
Furthermore, opponents are concerned that congestion pricing might worsen environmental pollution in surrounding areas. According to a 2023 environmental assessment report by the MTA, after the policy’s implementation, nitrous oxide emissions in Bergen County, New Jersey, and the Bronx could potentially increase by 0.63% and 0.09% respectively.
The rally proposed that New York State should follow Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro’s approach by investing federal funds into Philadelphia’s public transportation instead of using taxes to plug fiscal gaps. Lawyer Alan Klinger suggested that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) should enhance fare evasion enforcement, which could generate hundreds of millions of dollars in additional income each year to address financial hardships.
Democratic District Leader for the 65th District, Yu Jinshan, expressed his concerns at the event, mentioning the unfairness residents will face when having to pay each time they return from Long Island to Chinatown. He also criticized some elected officials for remaining silent on the policy, stating that they should wholeheartedly support the community when needed instead of appearing only during elections, as the community supports them through voting.
Currently, there have been 10 lawsuits filed against the congestion pricing policy in New York and New Jersey, requiring the federal court to hear at least four lawsuits on the 20th, including suits brought by Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella, United Federation of Teachers (UFT) President Michael Mulgrew, and the New York Trucking Association representing logistics companies.
Additionally, Governor Hoku of New York indicated that negotiations with New Jersey have stalled before the court trial, potentially causing another obstacle to the implementation of the congestion pricing policy scheduled for January next year.