Congestion pricing is officially live in New York. As of midnight local time on Sunday January 5th, drivers traveling into the busiest portion of Manhattan will be charged a $9 toll per vehicle to enter.
Anyone who has been to Manhattan in recent years can attest to the fact that traffic in the city is absolutely horrible, especially during rush hours. Heck, I once spent an hour trying to get across the river to make it to Newark Airport. Now, a change has arrived that some hope will relieve some of the city’s traffic woes while others are calling it a cash grab.
The new congestion pricing is in affect for almost all roads in Manhattan south of 60th Street with a few exceptions. Drivers will not pay a toll if they stay on FDR Drive and West Side Highway. Drivers on the Brooklyn Bridge and Queensboro Bridge are exempted if they use certain ramps that connect with the aforementioned highways or outside of the congestion zones.
| Vehicle Type | Daytime Toll | Nighttime Toll |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger Cars | $9.00 | $2.75 |
| Motorcycles | $4.50 | $1.05 |
| Commuter Buses | N/A | N/A |
| Small Buses and Trucks | $14.40 | $3.60 |
| Large Buses and Trucks | $21.60 | $5.40 |
| Yellow taxis, Boro taxis, and for hire Black Cars | $0.75 per trip | $0.75 per trip |
| High Volume for hire vehicles (Uber/Lyft/etc.) | $1.50 per trip | $1.50 per trip |
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which provides local and express bus, subway, and commuter rail service and operates multiple toll bridges and tunnels in New York City, estimates that the tolls will help generate $15 billion that the agency can use to help modernize and repair its transit infrastructure.
While congestion pricing has plenty of supporters, it hasn’t been without its share of criticism. Some argue that it will disproportionately impact lower-income drivers who depend on their vehicles for work or daily tasks. Others worry that the fees will drive more people to use alternative routes, creating traffic jams in neighboring areas.
The Governor of New Jersey went so far as to sue the State of New York to try and block the implementation. The judge in the case determined that there was no precedent to block congestion pricing from going into effect, allowing the rollout to proceed as scheduled. However, this issue appears to be far from settled.
For travelers to the city, they likely won’t notice any difference to their taxi or rideshare fees in their overall fares. This will have a much greater impact on folks living in the city and surrounding areas who commute into Manhattan on a daily basis. If anything, they may notice improved access and services on the city’s public transportation system
Summary
Congestion pricing has officially gone into effect in New York City. Starting today, vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th street will pay a fee depending on the type of vehicle and time of day. This likely won’t have any impact on travelers to the city but may negatively affect local residents.
