‘Congestion’ toll to drive into Manhattan gets green light
New York is on track to become the first U.S. city with congestion tolls on drivers entering its downtown after transit officials approved a $15 fee for most motorists headed into part of Manhattan.
Members of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board on Wednesday voted to green light the congestion pricing plan, expected to go into effect in June. The board approved only minor changes to a plan presented to the public months ago, and brushed off requests for exceptions by dozens of commuter groups.
The vote authorizes a $15 toll on most commuter passenger vehicles that drive into Manhattan south of 60th Street, a zone that’s south of Central Park, during daytime hours. Tolls are higher for larger vehicles, and lower for late-night entries into the city, as well as for motorcycles.
Supporters of the new tolls say it will push more people to use public transport, reduce congestion to speed up public buses and emergency vehicles, and raise money needed to improve the subway system.
The state legislature approved the tolls in 2019, mandating that it should raise $1 billion per year to fund public subway and bus systems for the city’s four million daily riders. The pandemic and lack of federal regulation stalled the project.
The program is contentious and faces several court challenges that could block or delay its implementation.
While transit advocates and environmental groups support it, critics say congestion pricing forces local residents to pay a fee just to return home and will strain small businesses that will need to absorb the expense or pass it on to customers.
It also comes at a time when crime on the subways is an increasing concern.
For New Jersey drivers who commute into New York City, the plan adds a toll on top of fees they already pay on crossings to get into Manhattan. A New Jersey district court in Newark is set to hear oral arguments on April 3 in Gov. Phil Murphy’s legal challenge that’s seeking a longer environmental analysis of the program.