MTA Chief 'Optimistic' Judge Will Rule In Favor To Keep Congestion Tolls Running

NEW YORK CITY — MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said on Wednesday that he is “optimistic” a federal judge will rule in favor of the agency and New York State as they fight to keep the congestion pricing program enact.

U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman did not issue a ruling on Wednesday but did question Department of Transportation lawyers on their arguments for ending the program — in particular the position that the Trump administration can void a contract approved by a previous administration.

“I’m really looking forward to a decision on the merits that will end this case, and I’m optimistic in part because we have a perfect track record in the court so far,” Lieber said at a press conference after the hearing.

The USDOT has also argued that the lawsuit belongs in federal claims court, as the lawsuit is over a contract.

A final ruling on the program was initially expected by the end of last year but was pushed back a month later.

The MTA has sued the Trump administration over the future of congestion pricing after the Department of Transportation revoked federal authorization of the toll.

President Donald Trump had initially given the MTA until March 18 to end the program and tolls to allow for an "orderly cessation." That deadline went and passed, with Governor Kathy Hochul along with MTA officials saying the tolls would continue to stay on.

In an attempt to pressure the city to end the program, U.S. DOT Chief Sean Duffy threatened to hold up funds for some federally funded road projects in the city.

The congestion pricing toll raised $562 million after expenses during its first year, the MTA said. The figure is over $60 million more than expected.

The program will help finance more than $15 billion in transit improvements in the future, officials said.

Lieber told reporters that the government's position in the case is "scary" and mentioned the prospect of them rescinding any agreement or approval at any time, if they want.

"It means that the government’s commitments will be worthless. And who knows how you ever do a contract again to build anything in the United States if that’s really what they’re talking about," he said.