NYC congestion pricing takes effect

At midnight on Sunday, New York City implemented its congestion pricing plan, a first for the US.

According to the program, vehicles entering Manhattan’s Congestion Relief Zone, covering areas at or below 60th Street, will have to shell out extra money to reach their destination for work or leisure. The move aims to ease traffic and boost public transportation.

What’s the charge?
Commercial and passenger vehicles entering Manhattan’s congestion zone—including Central Park, the Empire State Building, Times Square, the Theater District, and the Financial District around Wall Street—during peak hours (from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends) will pay a $9 toll. It is $2.25 off-peak.

The fees for trucks and buses range from $14.40 to $21.60.

Discounts are available for low-income drivers after 10 trips per month.

Who can avoid it?
Manhattan residents living within the zone won’t be charged unless they leave and re-enter the area.

Emergency and disability vehicles are exempt from the toll.

The plan, championed by Governor Kathy Hochul, faced severe opposition from surrounding states like New Jersey, several drivers, businesses, and even Donald Trump. However, the program went ahead after a judge rejected attempts to block the scheme.

Critics worry about the plan’s impact on commuters and businesses, but supporters believe it could revolutionize Manhattan’s traffic and transit. The MTA has also installed additional scanners to monitor traffic patterns and ensure proper toll collection, with charges appearing on E-Z Pass accounts within days.

NYC was named the world’s most congested urban area for the past two years. It saw peak traffic speeds of just 11 mph last year, according to traffic data analysis firm INRIX.