The Trump administration has announced plans to rescind approval of New York City's congestion pricing programme, just weeks after its historic launch.
The scheme, the first of its kind in a US city, has been charging drivers to enter Manhattan below 60th Street.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) immediately filed a lawsuit to block the Government's move to halt the programme.
Under the programme, drivers face a $9 (£7.13) fee to enter the borough during weekdays between 5am and 9pm. The charging period also operates on weekends from 9am to 9pm.
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Donald Trump pledged to remove New York City's Congestion Charge in his first week in office
GETTY
The system was initially blocked last year before receiving approval in the final months of the Biden administration.
New US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy cited concerns about the impact on working-class Americans, stating the programme added "an additional financial burden to account for in their daily lives".
In a letter to New York Governor Hochul, Duffy argued that highway users had already financed road construction through gas taxes and other levies.
He further claimed the programme appeared to be "driven primarily by the need to raise revenue" for transit systems rather than reducing congestion.
The Secretary noted that drivers were left without any free alternative routes in the affected area.
Donald Trump celebrated the decision on Truth Social, declaring: "CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!"
The move fulfils Trump's campaign pledge to terminate the programme, which he had previously vowed to accomplish in his first week back in office. Last May, Trump wrote on his social media platform: "I will TERMINATE Congestion Pricing in my FIRST WEEK back in Office!!!"
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat and strong supporter of the scheme, had emphasised the programme's financial importance and indicated the toll revenue would support $15billion (£11.9billion) in debt financing for mass transit capital improvements.
New York City's congestion scheme charged motorists $9 per day
REUTERS
New Jersey's Democratic Governor Phil Murphy had previously expressed strong opposition to the programme. In a letter to Trump on inauguration day, Murphy urged a re-examination of the scheme.
He wrote: "The resulting congestion pricing plan is a disaster for working and middle-class New Jersey commuters and residents."
Secretary Duffy specifically cited concerns raised by Murphy and New Jersey's transportation commissioner Francis O'Connor in his decision.
Representative Jerry Nadler of New York strongly condemned the decision, calling the administration's arguments "utterly baseless and frankly, laughable".
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Trump said congestion pricing was 'dead' in New York City
X/WHITEHOUSE
Nadler concluded with a direct challenge to Trump: "Mr President, we'll see you in court".
Early data from the MTA indicated the programme had successfully reduced street congestion in central Manhattan.
The MTA and a New York bridge authority have filed a lawsuit in Manhattan against Secretary Duffy, which claims the department's decision to withdraw approval was made "for blatantly political reasons" to fulfil Trump's campaign promise.
