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Congestion Pricing in New York City

Maria Tsevdos '26


On January 5, 2025 congestion pricing officially began in New York City. Plans for congestion pricing started as far back as 2019 but were just applied now after many delays regarding unpopularity and controversy.


The idea of congestion pricing was created for two reasons. The first reason is reducing traffic from south of 60th Street in Manhattan. The second reason was to raise funds for the MTA’s capital plan. This plan will invest $68.4 billion into improvements, rebuilding, and expanding the MTA system. The plan would add 2,000 railcars, 60 new stations, and much more. However, the way the MTA has gone about funding this plan (via congestion pricing) has been controversial and disliked by many.


Many city residents have become annoyed or angry with the toll, finding it unnecessary and excessive. Other states even have taken a great dislike to the new toll.


Just hours after the Presidential inauguration, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy asked President Trump to review the federal approval for congestion pricing. Previously the governor had tried to block congestion pricing, claiming it would cause traffic and excess pollution in New Jersey, but he was unsuccessful.


But how does congestion pricing work? During the peak period (5 AM to 9 PM on weekdays, and 9 AM to 9 PM on weekends) the toll is $9, and $4.95 for motorcycles. For trucks and buses, the toll is anywhere from fourteen dollars to twenty-one dollars. However, overnight the prices decrease. The $9 toll goes to $2.25, the toll for motorcycles is lowered to a dollar, and trucks and buses will only pay $3-5 dollars depending on size.


Taxis and vehicles for hire have the option to sign up for the Per-Trip Charge Plan. The plan allows these vehicles to pay a smaller toll for every journey through the Congestion Relief Zone (which is south of 60th Street, and includes local streets and avenues. The FDR Drive, West Side Highway, and the Hugh L. Carey Tunnels are exempt from the toll). Drivers of green and yellow taxis would only pay 75 cents, while hire vehicles based on apps would pay $1.50.


The plan for congestion pricing took over five years to pass and enforce, and even then it is still unpopular. Also, the situation with Governor Murphy has yet to unfold, and this may affect pricing.


Whether the toll will actually be successful in reducing traffic, creating cleaner air and fewer emissions, and increasing the safety of the city has yet to be determined, and only time will tell.

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