The nation’s first congestion pricing program went live at midnight on January 5, marking a transformative step toward reducing traffic, improving air quality, and bolstering public transit in New York City. The program requires drivers to pay a toll to enter Manhattan below 60th Street, now designated as the Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ). This initiative is expected to decrease vehicle entries into the zone by 80,000 daily and generate $15 billion in funding for critical transit upgrades.
Motorists with E-ZPass will pay $9 during peak hours and $2.25 overnight. The program, overseen by MTA Bridges and Tunnels, utilizes an extensive network of over 1,400 cameras, 800 signs, and 400 traffic lanes for seamless operations. Drivers are encouraged to sign up for E-ZPass for reduced toll rates and additional benefits.
The CRZ covers one of the most transit-rich areas in the country, with 94 subway stations, 99 MTA bus routes, and 2,500 daily regional and commuter trains. More than 85% of commuters into the zone already rely on public transportation. The tolling system aims to alleviate congestion, which a 2018 study revealed costs New Yorkers 117 hours per year in gridlock and $20 billion annually in economic losses.
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber highlighted the program’s potential to improve vehicle speeds, encourage nighttime deliveries, and enhance emergency response times. NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and State DOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the program’s environmental and safety benefits.
Revenue from congestion pricing will fund pivotal transit projects, including the purchase of zero-emission buses, signal modernization on Brooklyn’s Fulton Line, and the expansion of the Second Avenue Subway. MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer assured the public that these investments will be delivered with greater efficiency than ever before.
The rollout follows years of extensive public engagement, including over 100 meetings, webinars, and public hearings across the region. A comprehensive outreach campaign has provided resources in multiple languages and detailed information on discount programs like the Low-Income Discount Plan (LIDP) and Individual Disability Exemption Plan (IDEP).
New York now joins cities like London and Singapore in implementing congestion pricing, a measure proven to improve urban mobility and sustainability. This historic initiative sets the stage for a cleaner, safer, and more efficient future for the metropolitan area.
