Most drivers will start paying new congestion tolls on Jan. 5 to get to the heart of Manhattan, if all goes according to plan.
The fees are intended to alleviate some of the world’s worst traffic jams and pollution while raising billions of dollars for major improvements to New York City’s subways and buses. Officials also hope to persuade people to use public transportation.
Congestion pricing has been debated for decades, and opponents have fought hard to reduce or stop the tolls, which would be the first of their kind in the United States.
Under public pressure, Gov. Kathy Hochul had blocked the program just weeks before its original June start date. At the time, he cited concerns about the possible impact the tolls could have on New York’s economy, an idea disputed by many experts.
When it revived the program in November, it introduced a 40 percent discount on fares across the board for several years. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the state agency that runs the city’s subways and buses and two commuter rail lines, plans to gradually introduce higher rates later.
Officials rush to implement the program before President-elect Donald J. Trump, a powerful opponent who has promised to end the project, takes office on January 20. And at least 10 lawsuits could still derail the plan before its start date.
Here’s a closer look at how tolls would work for most drivers.
Private vehicles
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Driving a
of
through the
during
hours
E-ZPass.
| Carry | Total | |
| Total congestion charge | $undefined |
The program has been designed to reduce the volume of personal automobiles because they represent a large portion of Manhattan traffic.
There would be a limit of one toll per day for passenger vehicles entering the designated toll zone.
Cars with E-ZPass $9.00
The base toll for personal cars has been set higher than for motorcycles, taxis or shuttles in hopes of encouraging drivers to use public transportation or other options, such as carpooling, that contribute less. to traffic.
Those enrolled in the E-ZPass system would pay a lower fee than if they were not. He E-ZPass System It is used by many East Coast states to collect tolls on bridges and highways, and transportation officials say it is the most efficient method of charging drivers.
Manhattan Bridge No entry credit
Those traveling over a bridge that is not charged a toll would pay the base toll and would not receive any credit.
Those who would pay the new toll with E-ZPass would receive an additional credit if they exited the area using the Queens-Midtown and Hugh L. Carey tunnels, regardless of the entry point.
Peak hours
The base toll would be applied during the hours of greatest congestion: from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.
Taxis and rideshares
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taking a
inside, outside or within the toll area.
Taxis and app-based transportation services, such as Uber and Lyft, are a major source of traffic in Manhattan, and passengers who use them already pay other congestion fees. Passengers of these vehicles (not drivers) would pay a new fare for trips in, out and within the zone.
The average fare in 2023 for rides in the area, without tip, was $26 for taxis and $36 for passengers using ride-hailing apps, according to transportation officials. Taxis made an average of 12 trips daily and ride-hailing vehicles made six.
Taxi rides $0.75
The fare for taxi passengers would be slightly lower than for ride-hailing passengers, who make fewer trips and are more likely to idle in the area. Public officials want to avoid driving customers away from the troubled taxi industry. Taxi drivers have faced many challenges over the past decade, such as predatory lending and the rise of rental apps.
Trucks and Buses
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Driving a
of
through the
during
hours
E-ZPass.
| Carry | Total | |
| Total congestion charge | $undefined |
One goal of congestion pricing is to reduce air pollution in and around Manhattan. Trucks are some of the biggest contributors to noise, smog and other pollutants on busy roads. Buses also take up a lot more space and contribute more to congestion compared to smaller vehicles.
There will be no daily limit for tolled trips made by trucks or buses.
Small Trucks with E-ZPass $14.40
These vehicles, such as those used as U-Hauls and for package delivery, would be charged lower tolls than large trucks and tour buses. But their rates would be higher than those of passenger vehicles because they still take up a lot of space on the road and can cause delays when driving and turning.
Drivers enrolled in the E-ZPass system would pay a lower fare than if they were not. He E-ZPass System It is used by many East Coast states to collect tolls on bridges and highways, and transportation officials say it is the most efficient method of charging drivers.
Lincoln Tunnel -$7.20
Drivers traveling through a tunnel with a pre-existing toll will receive a credit to offset the cost of the new toll.
Drivers who would pay the new toll with E-ZPass would receive an additional credit if they exited the area using the Queens-Midtown and Hugh L. Carey tunnels, regardless of the entry point.
Peak hours
Peak rates would apply during the busiest hours: 5am to 9pm on weekdays and 9am to 9pm on weekends. Authorities want to discourage deliveries and commercial traffic during these hours.
Income
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Drivers with annual income.
$50,000.
Transit officials have tried to keep the new toll affordable by establishing tax credits and discounts for low-income people who would have to drive to the area to work. But this would be a very small fraction of drivers.
Of the 22 million people who live in the region and the 1.5 million who work in the area, an estimated 16,000 people with household incomes of less than $50,000 drive to work in the area. That represents only 1 percent of its workersaccording to a recent analysis of federal demographic data.
Income less than $50,000 50% of the base toll
Some workers who earn less than $50,000 per year may have no choice but to drive to work in the area. Because the toll can present a financial hardship, they could enroll in a program that would provide them with a 50 percent discount off the maximum toll price after their first 10 trips in a calendar month. The discount would not apply to off-peak toll rates.
Low-income congestion zone residents who earn less than $60,000 a year You could apply for a state tax credit.
Exemptions
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drive a
in the toll area.
Public officials have tried to keep exemptions to a minimum to, they say, equitably balance the burden of the new tolls among drivers, discourage drivers from using vehicles in the area as much as possible and aim to generate $15 billion to pay for better subways and buses.
Emergency vehicles No toll
When state lawmakers established the program in 2019, they prevented emergency vehicles from paying the tolls. Those vehicles would include ambulances, police vehicles, prison vehicles, fire vehicles and blood delivery vehicles.
