New York City is set to make history as the first U.S. city to implement congestion tolls on drivers entering its downtown area. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board recently gave the green light to a $15 fee for most motorists entering part of Manhattan, with the plan expected to take effect in June.
The approved congestion pricing plan includes a $15 toll for most commuter passenger vehicles entering Manhattan south of 60th Street, a zone located below Central Park, during daytime hours. Larger vehicles will face higher tolls, while late-night entries and motorcycles will have lower fees.
Despite requests for exceptions from various commuter groups, the board made only minor changes to the plan that was initially presented to the public months ago. The primary goal of the tolls is to encourage more people to utilize public transportation, alleviate congestion to improve the speed of public buses and emergency vehicles, reduce pollution, and generate funds necessary for enhancing the city's subway system.
The congestion pricing initiative was approved by the state Legislature in 2019, with the aim of raising $1 billion annually to support New York City's public subway and bus systems, serving approximately 4 million daily riders. However, the project faced delays due to the impact of the pandemic and the absence of federal regulations.
