San Francisco officials are showing renewed interest in congestion pricing after visiting New York City to study its program. Transportation Authority Chair Supervisor Myrna Melgar led a delegation including Supervisors Matt Dorsey and Chyanne Chen to NYC, where they found the congestion pricing program “a resounding success.”

Officials noted that while San Francisco’s downtown is still recovering from the pandemic, congestion pricing could become more feasible as the area rebounds and housing development increases. Though the city previously paused a study on downtown congestion pricing, analysis continues for potential implementation on Treasure Island and nearby freeways. Supervisors acknowledged that such initiatives often face public pushback but noted that even initial opponents in New York eventually came to accept the program as it proved effective.

The MTA reports that New York’s congestion pricing program has exceeded revenue expectations, generating $51.9 million in February—$3.3 million higher than January. The revenue breakdown shows 66% comes from passenger vehicles, 24% from taxis and for-hire vehicles, 9% from trucks, and 1% from buses and motorcycles.

However, the program faces a deadline from the Trump administration, which has ordered it to end by April 20. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that while the administration isn’t against congestion pricing “in a smart way,” they oppose mandating that people “don’t have a free pathway in.” Despite the controversy, the MTA projects it will meet its financial goal of raising $500 million through the toll, and visitors to the city have reported noticing reduced traffic congestion. It is also unclear what a free pathway in means considering the administrations strong immigration policies this idea seems to be contradictory which is par for the course in the second Trump term so far…