NEW YORK: As the MTA is in court seeking to block the Trump administration from retaliatory cuts to the city’s transit funding over its congestion pricing, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams has released a review of the first four months of the policy being in place. The review highlights the many successes achieved in the early implementation, and provides recommendations moving forward, standing against any efforts by the federal government to undo the progress made.
“Donald Trump doesn’t decide what’s best for our city’s streets,” said New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. “His efforts to reverse the progress we’ve made in implementing congestion pricing amount to blackmailing our city, undermining the public transit system that New Yorkers rely on. The early data is clear that congestion pricing is reducing travel times and traffic. I’ve always said that adjustments can and should be considered as implementation continues, and I hope to work with city and state leaders to monitor and improve congestion pricing as it moves forward – and it will move forward, no matter what Donald Trump says.”
Public Advocate Williams is currently on a 5-Boro Transit Tour, using a range of public transportation to travel all five boroughs while speaking directly to New Yorkers about the improvements to transit that they need, and where they believe transportation funding should be distributed, and the consequences federal cuts would have.
“The Trump administration is trying to pull federal funding for transportation projects at a time when we need to be investing in improving our systems, not grinding them to a halt,” added the Public Advocate. “New Yorkers who are on our trains, buses, and ferries every day know what we need, and they’re who I’m going to listen to when it comes to how to strengthen our public transportation infrastructure and improve travel all across the five boroughs. Someone needs to stand up for our city in this moment.”
The Office of the Public Advocate’s new review points to early successes of congestion pricing in reducing average traffic and travel times. An average decrease of 7.5% - 16% in daily traffic with weekday average trips on bridges and tunnels showing a 10% - 30% reduction in traveling time can already be seen. It also notes the improvements in public opinion about congestion pricing, now that the benefits are becoming clear and the worst predictions failing to appear.
Crucially, the review finds a 12.69% decrease in vehicular crashes below 60th Street, comparing data from 2024 and 2025 during the periods between January 5 and May 5. There has also been a 8.75% drop in injuries and fatalities during the same period. Based on the available data the dramatic effect that congestion pricing has on the lives of New Yorkers is clear.
Moving forward, the review offers several measures to maximize effectiveness. Among the recommendations are:
- Investing fully in the Interborough Express (IBX) & MTA’s 2025-2029 Capital Program.
- Creating Low Emission Zones (LEZs)
- Signage and modifications on the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge
- Prioritizing alternative forms of trucking, such as Blue Highways.
- Supporting QueensLink for better transit options.
- Accommodating low-income drivers.
- Prioritizing Staten Island’s MTA needs.
The Trump administration has threatened to cease construction authorizations and approvals for projects – first in Manhattan, then citywide – unless the city and state back down.
As the legal cases surrounding congestion pricing continue, so too will the policy and the revenue it generates, and as this review emphasizes, the Public Advocate will continue to monitor implementation and propose adjustments to maximize its success in supporting New Yorkers. Read the full review here.
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