New York City has implemented a new "congestion pricing" scheme that will charge drivers $9.00 every time they cross 60th Street in Manhattan.
The toll is meant to help mitigate gridlock in the most densely packed area of the city while raising money to contribute to mass transit infrastructure. Proponents of the plan also argue that it will protect the interests of New Yorkers from a health standpoint and decrease car crashes that injure pedestrians and cyclists.
On a typical weekday 500,000 to 700,000 vehicles enter the congestion zone, and as the toll is implemented, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said that it will monitor that number along with how traffic is changing, the type of vehicles entering the zone and from where they are entering and exiting.
Despite its controversial nature, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said congestion pricing is meant to help everyone, including drivers.
“If you do drive, if you have to drive, we want you to spend less time stuck in traffic. Your time is worth real money,” the transit chair said. “And that’s why the business community has supported this so much, because time wasted in traffic is a huge drag on our community.”
The MTA hopes the plan will encourage drivers to take another look at mass transit, and consider joining the 90% of commuters who come into the Central Business District by public transit, Lieber said.
“Mass transit in New York is doing great. And this is a new MTA,” he stated. “We’re getting projects done, we’re delivering for our customers and we want to build relationships with everybody in New York as we take advantage of this moment of people rethinking transit.”
Lieber described the congestion pricing plan as a “toll system like has never been tried before in terms of complexity,” as 1,400 cameras over 110 detection points in and around the congestion zone capture vehicle entry and assign fees.
The tolling system must process several factors to properly charge customers, including what type of vehicles motorists are driving, what time they entered the zone, whether or not they have an exemption and whether or not they remained on excluded roadways like FDR Drive or West Street.
What tolls apply under congestion pricing?
The peak toll rate will apply on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with a 75% reduction overnight to $2.25, according to the MTA.
This toll rate applies to small commercial vehicles—including sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks and small vans—paying with a valid E-ZPass.
During peak hours motorcycles will pay a toll of $4.50; small single-unit trucks and some buses will pay $14.40; and multi-unit trucks and tour buses will be charged $21.60. Overnight those toll fees are $1.05, $3.60 and $5.40, respectively. Some eligible trucks and buses are exempt from the toll.
Drivers are highly encouraged to ensure that their EZ-Pass accounts are properly set up and connected with their license plates. Drivers who receive Tolls by Mail bills will be forced to pay a heightened fee.
Motorists are able to check the status of their account on the EZ-Pass NY website.
What exemptions or discounts exist for congestion pricing?
A 50% off discount is available for vehicle drivers enrolled in the MTA’s Low-Income Discount Plan, and applies after the first 10 trips in a calendar month. All peak period trips after that quota is met will be discounted.
Exemptions exist for those with disabilities or organizations transporting people with disabilities, emergency vehicles and specialized government-owned vehicles.
More information on discounts and exemptions can be found on the MTA website.
What are crossing credits?
Crossing credits reduce the congestion pricing toll for vehicles using a valid EZ-Pass and entering the Central Business District during peak periods from one of the four tolled entries, which include the Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, Queens-Midtown Tunnel and Hugh L. Carey Tunnel.
The credit amount is up to $3 for passenger vehicles, $1.50 for motorcycles, $7.20 for small trucks and charter buses and $12 for large trucks and tour buses. No credits are offered during overnight reduced-toll hours.
What about taxis and for-hire vehicles like Uber and Lyft?
Taxis and for-hire vehicles that are registered with the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission are eligible for smaller per-trip charges paid by the passenger for each trip to, from or within the congestion pricing zone.
During both peak and overnight periods, this per-trip charge for high-volume for-hire vehicles is $1.50, and for taxis, green cabs and black cars it is $0.75.
When asked about for-hire vehicles Sunday, Lieber said that the toll would not significantly impact the economics of people who take paid cars, or the businesses behind them.
“People are paying on average well over $30 for an Uber ride, so the argument that the extra toll is going to dramatically impact the economics of people choosing to take Uber or Lyft or other for-hire vehicles, I don’t think is credible, and the studies so far have shown that it’s highly unlikely to impact their business,” he said.
What is the future of the toll?
The congestion pricing toll is down 40% from the plan’s initial $15 fee that was intended to go into place last June, before Gov. Kathy Hochul temporarily paused the plan, citing economic struggles lingering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Congestion pricing will increase to its original $15 toll over the next several years, reaching $12 for most vehicles during peak hours in 2028, and $15 in 2031.