MTA Chief Says Deadline To End Congestion Toll 'Will Come And Go'

NEW YORK CITY — The Federal Highway Administration and the Trump administration have ordered New York City to end congestion pricing by Friday, but MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber believes the toll will continue on, according to a report.

Lieber in an interview with CBS News said that while a lawsuit filed in federal court has yet to be decided — the program will continue and the cameras will stay on.

"Things don't change until a court orders it, and that hasn't taken place. We don't expect it will because we are on pretty strong legal footing," the MTA chief told the outlet.

Lieber added that there won't be an end to the program because it has gone "through every hoop on the way to getting that federal approval, which can't be unilaterally rescinded."

"The deadline will come and go, and the congestion pricing program will continue to deliver a much better traffic environment for New York and economic benefits as well," he said.

Federal officials previously told the MTA that they should stop collecting tolls by Friday to allow for an "orderly cessation,"according to multiple media reports.

"We have said that you may have asked for orderly cessation, which was the phrase that came in the letter to us. I will propose something in the alternative -- orderly resistance," Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement following the initial announcement last month, Patch previously reported.

It is unknown at this time how a federal shutdown of congestion pricing could look like.

Beginning on Jan. 5, congestion pricing imposed a $9 charge on drivers to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street.

The purpose of the plan is to reduce gridlock in Manhattan's busiest areas and encourage public transit use, officials said.

The plan was expected to generate more than $15 billion for public transportation upgrades in New York City, the MTA said.

The MTA collected over $48 million in tolls paid during the first month of congestion pricing, Patch previously reported.