NYC NOW - Morning Headlines: MTA Defies Congestion Pricing Deadline, Council Eyes Parking Reforms, and Fired NYPD Officer Sues to Get Job Back

Episode Date: April 21, 2025

The MTA says it will not comply with the federal government’s demand to shut down congestion pricing, despite Sunday’s deadline. Meanwhile, New York City Council members are holding a hearing on parking reforms, focusing on safety measures like daylighting and truck loading zones. Plus, a former NYPD officer fired for firing his weapon off-duty is suing to get reinstated, arguing the punishment was too harsh.

Welcome to NYC now. Your source for local news in and around New York City from WMYC. It's Monday, April 21st. Here's the morning headlines from Michael Hill. The federal government's Sunday deadline for the MTA to shut down New York City's congestion pricing tolls has come and gone. But as WNIC's Ramsey-C-Ramsey-Colife reports, the agency has no plans to comply. Congestion pricing has, by many metrics, been an early success, according to the MTA. Traffic is moving faster in Manhattan, bus services better, and the tolls, which charge drivers

a base fee of $9 to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street, are raising money for subway repairs. But President Trump is trying to revoke federal approval for the program. MTA officials filed a federal lawsuit over the order and say they'll only shut down the program if a judge tells them to do so. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is threatening to be. withhold grants from the MTA if they keep charging the fees. Streets safer and more efficient council members are turning their attention to one of the most persistent headaches. Parking. WNMAC's Catalina Gonella has more.

The Council's Transportation Committee is looking into everything from truck loading zones to permit abuse and street safety improvements. Lawmakers are especially focused on daylighting or clearing space near intersections to improve visibility and prevent crashes. Council members are considering several new bills to address parking issues, including one that would mandate daylighting near crosswalks citywide and another that would create overnight truck parking zones in industrial areas. A hearing takes place at 10 this morning at City Hall. A former NYPD officer fired for shooting his gun in an off-duty car chase is suing the

department to try to get his job back. The NYPD terminated Kevin Marciel in February after he admitted. to firing a single shot in the incident in Brooklyn in April of 2022. Marceal said his friend's jealous husband was chasing him and so he fired a shot to alert police at a nearby precinct. After reviewing evidence, though, an NIPD judge determined Marceal should not be a New York City police officer. In his lawsuit, Marceal claims he should have faced a maximum penalty of probation and the loss of 30 vacation days. The NYPD has declined to comment. 52 with some clouds out there now, mostly cloudy today in the high of 59, tomorrow

partly sunny and a warm one up near 78. Thanks for listening. This is NYC now from WMYC. Catch us every weekday three times a day for your top news headlines and occasional deep dives and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. More soon.