On this page (6)
Yes. As of October 12, 2026, congestion pricing is still in effect. The MTA says: "We have challenged the federal government's alleged termination of the program in court. We are still collecting Congestion Relief Zone tolls until further notice" (MTA FAQ). Taxi and FHV trips still carry the per-trip charge ($0.75, or $1.50 on Uber/Lyft), and private cars still pay the daily toll ($9 peak with E-ZPass).
This is a status page. Court cases move, so check the date at the top and the MTA's FAQ before you rely on it.
Proof it is still running
- The MTA's own words (FAQ, read October 12, 2026): tolls are collected "until further notice".
- The cameras are still counting. The MTA's open dataset of zone entries was updated on October 8, 2026 and includes entries through October 3, 2026 (t6yz-b64h).
- Trip records show the charge. In TLC trip data for August 2026, the latest month published, about 77% of yellow taxi trips and 31% of Uber/Lyft trips carried the congestion fee (zone trip statistics).
The court ruling
Sources for the court steps: Streetsblog NYC, March 3, 2026 and amNY, May 1, 2026, which quotes the appeal notice and the judge's decision. These are news reports, not court records; the MTA's FAQ is the official word on whether tolls are charged.
In the judge's words, as quoted by amNY: "The Secretary's actions were arbitrary and capricious, an abuse of discretion, and not in accordance with law." The decision does not stop the federal government from appealing, and it has.
What to do next
- Taxi drivers: let the meter apply the charge. Don't remove it or add it by hand.
- App drivers: the charge is collected from riders. It should not reduce your pay.
- Owners of personal cars: keep paying toll bills. Late Tolls by Mail bills add fees, and unpaid tolls can lead to a registration suspension; see unpaid tolls and registration suspension.
- Planning ahead: the schedule still includes increases in 2028 and 2031. See congestion pricing increases.
Related rules and exceptions
- The state surcharge is a different thing. The New York State congestion surcharge ($2.50 taxi, $2.75 FHV, $0.75 shared, below 96th Street) has applied since 2019 and is not part of this federal case (TLC).
- Why the state says it works: the Governor's first-anniversary release (January 5, 2026) reports 27 million fewer vehicles entering the zone in the first year, an 11% drop (Governor). That is the program's own account.
- What it did to trips: did congestion pricing reduce Uber trips?
- FDR Drive and West Side Highway: still excluded; see is congestion pricing charged on the FDR?
- Driving in empty: do I pay when driving empty?
- Bridges into the zone: East River bridges
All current charges: Congestion Relief Zone toll. Overview: congestion pricing for TLC drivers and the tolls hub.
Frequently asked questions
Is NYC congestion pricing still being charged?
Yes, as of October 12, 2026. The MTA says it is still collecting Congestion Relief Zone tolls until further notice, and its public data shows vehicles being counted through early October 2026.
What did the court decide?
On March 3, 2026, U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman ruled that the federal Transportation Secretary's attempt to end the program was unlawful and vacated the termination letters. The MTA was relieved of any obligation to stop tolling.
Did the federal government appeal?
Yes. The U.S. Department of Transportation filed a notice of appeal to the Second Circuit, reported on May 1, 2026. We had not seen an appeals court decision when this page was checked on October 12, 2026.
If the program ended, would taxi and Uber riders stop paying the extra charge?
The $0.75 and $1.50 per-trip charges are part of the MTA program, so they would stop only if the MTA stopped tolling. The New York State congestion surcharge below 96th Street is a separate state tax and is not part of this case.
Should I stop paying a congestion toll bill?
No. Until the MTA announces otherwise, tolls are due. Unpaid toll bills add fees and can lead to registration suspension.
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- MTA: Congestion Relief Zone FAQ mta.info
- NY Open Data: MTA Congestion Relief Zone Vehicle Entries (t6yz-b64h) data.ny.gov
- Streetsblog NYC: Federal judge rules Trump can't kill congestion pricing (March 3, 2026) nyc.streetsblog.org
- amNY: Trump administration appeals federal ruling on congestion pricing (May 1, 2026) amny.com
- Governor Hochul: Congestion pricing first anniversary (January 5, 2026) governor.ny.gov
- TLC: Congestion Surcharge nyc.gov
Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we'll check it against the official source.
TLC Help is not a law firm and is not affiliated with the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission or OATH. Explanations on this site are general information, not legal advice. Legal representation is provided by independent attorneys and OATH-registered representatives in our network.