Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Today's Headlines

Special Saturday Headlines: Congestion Pricing is ON!

We honestly thought it would be a quick hearing, but Judge Leo Gordon took his time ... but got it right. Here's how everyone covered it.

New Jersey lawyer Randy Mastro is out to sea.

|The Streetsblog Photoshop Desk from a photo by Dave Colon

We sent Dave Colon out to Newark for what we thought would be a simple hearing: Judge Leo Gordon, who had already ruled in favor of the MTA and the Federal Highway Administration that congestion pricing could go ahead, was faced with yet another stall tactic by New Jersey.

As a grizzled editor with 30 years in the biz, who has dined with (borough) presidents and kings (of knishes), I honestly thought it would be a quick hearing.

Cut to Judge Gordon spending 90 minutes revisiting New Jersey's request for a temporary restraining order, then withdrawing to his chambers for a few hours while everyone waited in the hallway.

Colon's Bluesky feed documented the hours-long descent to madness. Here are some highlights:

We are all waiting outside the courtroom. The judge heard argument from each side, then told us he’d go into chambers and have a think, and will tell us what he is going to rule when he is ready. I am serious

Good Idea Dave (@davecolon.bsky.social) 2025-01-03T21:31:12.758Z

I’ve started playing music out in the hall

Good Idea Dave (@davecolon.bsky.social) 2025-01-03T22:32:25.168Z

Played a couple songs and a court officer asked me to stop. Which you know, fair

Good Idea Dave (@davecolon.bsky.social) 2025-01-03T22:37:07.251Z

As Colon reported on Bluesky, Gordon eventually denied New Jersey's motion to delay congestion pricing. Rather than do our own version, we let all the dailies cover the basic news (we'll have insightful analysis later):

  • The Times focused on a promise by New Jersey's lawyer, Randy Mastro, to appeal yet again, this time to the Third Circuit.
  • Hell Gate's Chris Robbins had the definitive minute-by-minute take.
  • The Daily News spotlighted Judge Gordon's initial confusing ruling (frankly, it was confusing).
  • We focused on all the irrational, car-brained stuff being pushed out by businesses and politicians as the toll — remember, people, it's just a toll — loomed.
  • The Post played it straight, believe it or not.
  • Gothamist was also there.
  • There were also some great takes from activists. Riders Alliance Executive Director Betsy Plum really went after New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy: "If Gov. Murphy appeals this decision, he cements a legacy as a transit-destroying, climate-denying champion of inequality and longer commutes. ... He must put this childlike grudge to rest."
  • And Aaron Gordon was good on Bluesky:
Via Bluesky
  • Finally, I made it very clear that a fun time will be had at Lexington and 60th Street on Saturday night into Sunday. Join us:

Pending what happens in Judge Gordon's courtroom on Friday at 3 p.m., I and other activists will mark the beginning of congestion pricing at the toll gantry on Lexington Avenue and 60th Street at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday. We invited reporters from the mainstream media to join us. Here's a thread on why:

Gersh Kuntzman (@realgershkuntzman.bsky.social) 2025-01-03T16:00:26.524Z

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Friday Video: Amtrak Is Way More Successful Than You Think

Why do so many people still treat Amtrak as a failure — and what would it take to deliver the rail investment that American riders deserve?

October 24, 2025

Hundreds of Community Groups — From the Conservatives to the Socialists! — Demand Daylighting

Two hundred New York City groups from across the ideological spectrum joined calls to ban parking at corners in order to improve safety and visibility, also known as daylighting.

October 24, 2025

OPINION: Canal Street — Not The Vendors — Is the Problem

If Zohran Mamdani becomes mayor — and is true to his vision for a fair, livable city — he will have to take on this long-ignored corridor. Here's how.

October 24, 2025

Vision Zero Cities: Bicycles Are Not Cars So They Shouldn’t Have to Follow the Same Rules

The default in nearly all states is to impose the same traffic rules on bicycles as on motor vehicles even though the needs of cyclists are so different.

October 24, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Today’s the Day Edition

Mayor Adams's new 15 mph speed limit is officially goes into effect today. Plus more news.

October 24, 2025

Cough, Cough: DEP Considers Largest Ever Exemption Request to City’s Anti-Idling Law

Academy Bus claims no technological alternatives exist for heating and cooling buses without idling. Advocates warn an exemption would "gut" the city's 50-year-old idling ban.

October 23, 2025
See all posts