New York’s Congestion Pricing Plan Takes Effect
New York’s much-debated plan to charge drivers to enter the center of Manhattan is set to take effect Sunday just after midnight, following years of bureaucratic and legal roadblocks.
What is Congestion Pricing?
The goals of congestion pricing are to reduce gridlock and pollution and raise revenue for public transit. Gov. Kathy Hochul said this week that the state will push forward with the plan.
How Does Congestion Pricing Work?
The toll applies to the most congested part of Manhattan, south of Central Park. It will vary depending on the time and whether a car has E-ZPass, which is an electronic toll collection system used in many states.
When Does Congestion Pricing Apply?
During peak traffic hours (5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends), most cars, SUVs, small vans, and pickup trucks with an E-ZPass will be charged $9, once per day.
During the overnight hours, the tolls will go down to $2.25.
Drivers without an E-ZPass will receive bills by mail and pay more: $13.50 for peak hours and $3.30 overnight.
Exceptions and Discounts
Motorcyclists will pay half the amount that cars pay during peak. Drivers of buses and trucks, depending on their size, will pay more.
There are some exceptions. Certain emergency vehicles, school buses, people with disabilities who can’t take public transportation, and the people who transport them are all exempt. Low-income drivers who pay the toll 10 times in a month can apply for a 50% discount on trips they take the rest of the month.
What About Taxis and Uber?
Passengers in taxis and for-hire vehicles will have a per-trip surcharge added to their fares for rides to, from, within or through what is known as the Congestion Relief Zone. That charge is 75 cents for people taking taxis, green cabs, and black cars, and $1.50 for Uber or Lyft passengers.
History of Congestion Pricing
Congestion pricing has long existed in other cities around the globe, including London, Stockholm, Milan, and Singapore, but New York is the first U.S. city to adopt it.
It’s been floated in New York for years. Then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg suggested such a scheme in 2007, and state lawmakers approved the concept in 2019. But it has run into opposition and legal challenges from politicians, commuters, and commercial drivers. A federal judge this week rejected the state of New Jersey’s 11th-hour effort to temporarily block the toll.
Conclusion
Congestion pricing aims to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution in Manhattan by charging drivers to enter the most congested part of the city. The plan has been years in the making and has faced numerous challenges, but it is finally set to take effect. The goal is to encourage drivers to use public transportation, carpool, or ride-share, reducing the number of vehicles on the road and improving the overall quality of life for New Yorkers.
FAQs
Q: Who is exempt from congestion pricing?
A: Certain emergency vehicles, school buses, people with disabilities who can’t take public transportation, and the people who transport them are all exempt.
Q: How much will I pay if I don’t have an E-ZPass?
A: Drivers without an E-ZPass will receive bills by mail and pay more: $13.50 for peak hours and $3.30 overnight.
Q: Are there any discounts available?
A: Low-income drivers who pay the toll 10 times in a month can apply for a 50% discount on trips they take the rest of the month.
Q: How will congestion pricing affect taxis and Uber?
A: Passengers in taxis and for-hire vehicles will have a per-trip surcharge added to their fares for rides to, from, within or through what is known as the Congestion Relief Zone.
Q: Why is congestion pricing being implemented?
A: The goal of congestion pricing is to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution in Manhattan by charging drivers to enter the most congested part of the city, and to raise revenue for public transit.
