- MTA And New York Request Injunction Against USDOT And Duffy
- Gothamist: Congestion Pricing Contributes To Drop In New York City Crashes And Traffic Injuries
- Kansas Turnpike CEO Announces Senior Staff Hires And Promotions
- These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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MTA And New York Request Injunction Against USDOT And Duffy
Reuters reports, late yesterday, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and New York City jointly requested a federal court temporary injunction to stop USDOT and Secretary Sean Duffy from terminating federal approval of the Manhattan congestion pricing program or following through on Duffy’s threats to withhold federal project approvals or funds unless New York halts tolling. New York State also filed a request for injunctive relief.
An MTA lawyer last week informed the court of the authority’s intent to seek an order blocking USDOT efforts to coerce a shutdown.
In their pleading, MTA and the city stated, “Stopping the program would also mean a return to the crippling congestion that has long plagued Manhattan.” According to Reuters, the city maintains that tolling “has dramatically cut congestion, with about 5.8 million fewer cars than expected in the congestion zone between January and March, or an 8%-13% reduction. Data also shows a 12% reduction in traffic in April, while travel times to cross into Manhattan have also dramatically improved, the city said, while hotel stays, retail spending and pedestrian traffic have all increased.”
Yesterday’s petitions were filed in conjunction with the MTA lawsuit pending before US District Court Judge Lewis Liman, Metropolitan Transportation Auth. and Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Auth. v. Duffy, et al., No. 1:25-cv-01413 (S.D.N.Y., Feb. 19, 2025).
New York Post and Bloomberg also cover this story.
Congestion Pricing Issues of Law Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York New York City New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) US Department of Transportation (USDOT)Gothamist: Congestion Pricing Contributes To Drop In New York City Crashes And Traffic Injuries
“Fewer drivers have gotten into crashes in Manhattan’s congestion pricing zone since the tolls went into effect, accelerating a citywide trend that’s reduced injuries and deaths of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians,” Gothamist reports. The publication’s analysis of New York Police Department data covering about three months this spring shows 13 percent fewer collisions compared to the same time period last year. That reduction is even higher — 26 percent — on the bridges, tunnels, and highways leading into the congestion pricing zone. “The two-year decline was first reported by Streetsblog. But what’s even more striking is that the decrease is double the rate of change between 2023 and 2024. Congestion pricing appears to be accelerating a trend that was already underway, bringing the number of crashes nearly down to the historic lows that the city experienced during the pandemic.”
Crash reduction adds to a list of traffic and travel improvements reported by MTA since the inception of congestion tolling. Former New York City deputy transportation commissioner Michael Replogle suggests that the positive trends in crash and injury data support an expansion of the program. He maintains that the refinement and broadening of congestion pricing will amplify its financial, safety, and environmental benefits.
Congestion Pricing Highway-Tunnel-Bridge Safety (Includes COVID-19 Impacts) Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York New York CityKansas Turnpike CEO Announces Senior Staff Hires And Promotions
Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) CEO Steve Hewitt today announced several recent staff appointments and promotions that coincide with the continued refinement of authority internal operations following the 2024 implementation of cashless tolling.
- Andrew Arola was appointed Director of Roadway Maintenance and Facilities
- Jeri Biehler, was promoted to Director of Marketing and Communications
- Donnell Brown was appointed Senior Call Center Manager
- Trey Jones was promoted to Highway Maintenance Foreman
- Katie Ludwig was promoted to Toll Systems Manager
- Mike Vargas, was promoted to Highway Maintenance Superintendent
“Since successfully transitioning to cashless tolling, we are now strategically aligning our team with continued focus on operational excellence and the safety of our customers,” Mr. Hewitt commented. “These individuals bring a wealth of experience and dedication to their respective roles.”
(In a sign of the times, the announcement included a warning about toll payment smishing.)
AET (All-Electronic Tolling) Appointments-Promotions-Retirements Kansas Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) KTAGThese are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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