If all goes as planned, most drivers will start paying new congestion charges to reach central Manhattan starting January 5th.
The fee is intended to raise billions of dollars for critical upgrades to New York City’s subways and buses, while alleviating some of the world’s worst traffic congestion and environmental pollution. Officials also hope to persuade people to use public transport instead.
Congestion pricing has been debated for decades, with opponents fiercely fighting to reduce or stop tolls, but this would be the first of its kind in the United States.
Under public pressure, Gov. Kathy Hochul blocked the program weeks before its original start date in June. At the time, she expressed concerns about the impact tolls could have on New York’s economy, an idea disputed by many experts.
When it reinstated the program in November, it introduced a flat rate discount of 40% over several years. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is a state agency that operates the city’s subway, bus, and two commuter rail lines. Interest rates will be raised gradually later.
Officials are rushing to implement program By the time President-elect Donald J. Trump takes office on January 20, a strong opponent who has vowed to end the project. And at least 10 lawsuits could still unravel the plan by the start date.
Here’s a closer look at how toll booths work for most drivers.
private car
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drive
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EZ pass.
| charging | total | |
| Total congestion charge | $undefined |
The program is designed to reduce the amount of private cars, as they make up the majority of traffic in Manhattan.
Passenger vehicles entering designated toll zones are subject to a maximum of one toll per day.
Vehicles equipped with E-ZPass $9.00
Base fares for private cars are set higher than for motorcycles, taxis and ride-hailing vehicles in hopes of encouraging drivers to use other means such as less-traffic public transport or carpooling.
Those who are enrolled in the E-ZPass system pay lower fees than those who are not enrolled. of E-ZPass system Many East Coast states use it to collect tolls on bridges and highways, and transportation officials say it’s the most efficient way to charge drivers.
manhattan bridge No entry credit
People who cross bridges that don’t have tolls only pay the base toll and don’t get any credits.
Those paying the new toll with E-ZPass will receive additional credits when exiting the zone using the Queens Midtown Tunnel and the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, regardless of entry point.
peak hours
Base rates apply during the busiest hours: 5am to 9pm on weekdays and 9am to 9pm on weekends.
Taxi and ride sharing
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ingest
Inside the rate zone, outside the rate zone, or within the rate zone.
Taxis and app-based ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft are important sources of transportation in Manhattan, and passengers who use them already pay other congestion charges. Passengers in these vehicles, rather than drivers, would pay new fees for each trip to, from, and within the zone.
The average fare for a trip in the region in 2023 was $26 without tip for a taxi and $36 for passengers using a ride-hailing app, according to transportation officials. Taxis made an average of 12 trips per day, while ride-hailing vehicles made 6 trips.
taxi ride $0.75
Taxi passengers pay slightly less than passengers in ride-hailing vehicles, which take fewer trips and are more likely to be idle in the zone. Public officials want to avoid alienating customers from the struggling taxi industry. Taxi drivers have faced many challenges over the past decade, including predatory loans and the rise of car rental apps.
truck and bus
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drive
from
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meanwhile
time
EZ pass.
| charging | total | |
| Total congestion charge | $undefined |
One of the goals of congestion pricing is to reduce air pollution in and around Manhattan. Trucks are one of the biggest sources of noise, smog, and other pollutants around busy roadways. buses require more space They contribute more to congestion compared to smaller vehicles.
There is no daily limit for paid trips by truck or bus.
Light truck with E-ZPass $14.40
These vehicles, like U-Haul and vehicles used for package delivery, are charged less than large trucks and tour buses. However, the tolls are still higher than those for passenger cars because they still take up a lot of space on the road and can cause delays while driving or turning.
Drivers who are registered with the E-ZPass system will pay lower rates than those who are not registered. of E-ZPass system Many East Coast states use it to collect tolls on bridges and highways, and transportation officials say it’s the most efficient way to charge drivers.
lincoln tunnel -$7.20
Drivers who pass through the tunnel at existing toll plazas will be given credits to offset the cost of new toll plazas.
Drivers who pay the new toll with E-ZPass will receive additional credits when exiting the zone using the Queens Midtown Tunnel and the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, regardless of their entry point.
peak hours
Peak pricing applies during the busiest hours: 5 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and 9 AM to 9 PM on weekends. Officials hope to prevent deliveries and commercial traffic during these hours.
income
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driver with annual income
50,000 dollars.
Transportation officials are trying to keep the new fares affordable by offering tax credits and discounts for low-income people who must drive into the zone for work. But this A small part of the driver.
Of the 22 million people who live in the region and 1.5 million people who work in the area, an estimated 16,000 people with household incomes less than $50,000 commute into the area by car. that Only 1% of employeesaccording to a recent analysis of federal demographic data.
Income less than $50,000 50% of basic fee
Some workers making less than $50,000 a year may have no choice but to drive to work within the zone. Because tolls can cause financial hardship, you can enroll in a program that offers 50 percent off peak fares after your first 10 trips in a calendar month. Discounts do not apply to off-peak rates.
Low-income residents in congested zones with annual incomes less than $60,000 Can claim state tax credit.
exemption
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drive
Enter the price zone.
Public officials are trying to level the burden of new fees among drivers, discourage drivers from using their vehicles in the zone as much as possible, and minimize exemptions in order to aim for $15 billion in payments. It is said that there is. For better subways and buses.
emergency vehicle No fee
When the state Legislature established the program in 2019, it exempted emergency vehicles from paying tolls. These vehicles include ambulances, police vehicles, correctional vehicles, fire trucks, blood delivery vehicles, and more.
