Give NYC tolling plan a chance

In attempting to stop congestion pricing, President Donald Trump boasted that he had "saved" Manhattan and "all of New York." But Trump's efforts — and the accompanying threats that federal funding could be at risk if New York doesn't comply with his orders — are a foolish overreach by the federal government.

After fits and starts, congestion pricing debuted less than two months ago. It's too early to make a definitive judgment on its merits but early signs show the program may be working. Traffic entering the central business district decreased by 7.5% in January, the first month of the toll, compared with the same time period last year. That's about 1.2 million fewer vehicles, according to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Meanwhile, congestion pricing raised about $48.6 million in revenue in its first month — slightly less than MTA projections. But with the authority's expenses for the program coming in lower than anticipated, net revenue actually surpassed its target.

And the anticipated nightmare scenario — that no one would come into Manhattan, setting the city's economy on the skids — also hasn't come to fruition so far; by various measures, the zone has seen an increase in visitors these past two months, not a decline. For any real insights on how the tolling program changes behaviors or perhaps has unforeseen consequences, we'll need months more of data. But the results so far also don't indicate any reason for the Trump administration to shut down congestion pricing, especially not without a backup plan to sustain the MTA. 

Gov. Kathy Hochul made a good call to leave the cameras running and let the courts deal with the unfolding legal battles. But there's more to do. That starts with for-hire vehicle companies like Uber and Lyft. The MTA said 22% of the early revenue totals came from taxis and for-hire vehicle fees. That's significant, since each for-hire vehicle trip into or within the zone charges passengers $1.50, and taxis charge 75 cents. That's compared with the $9 fee typical passenger vehicles pay to drive into the congestion zone each day.

A tougher crackdown on the ubiquitous for-hire cars that clog the streets, combined with continued improvement in bus, subway and Long Island Rail Road service to give travelers valued alternatives, could actually decongest Manhattan.

It's unfortunate that, from the start, the MTA overemphasized the toll as a key funding mechanism, rather than highlight the more fundamental goals of reducing traffic, especially the speeding up of buses and emergency vehicles, improving air quality, and making the streets safer for pedestrians. The program still has the opportunity to accomplish all of that.

Trump once called congestion pricing "destructive to New York." So far, it hasn't been. But Trump's threat of cutting federal funding could be. If Trump really cares for the city he once called home, he should provide the money the city and state need and allow New York to thrive.