The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has released data highlighting significant improvements in travel times, transit ridership, and vehicle volumes in Manhattan’s Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ) since the launch of the nation’s first congestion pricing program on January 5, 2025.
Key findings show that over 1 million fewer vehicles have entered the CRZ compared to projections without the toll, leading to 10% to 30% faster travel times at major river crossings. The Holland Tunnel saw the most dramatic improvement, with a 48% reduction in peak morning travel times. Within the CRZ, afternoon peak-hour travel times have improved by up to 59%.
Public transit has also benefited, particularly express buses, which now offer riders median time savings of up to 10 minutes. Weekend express bus ridership has surged by more than 20%, with weekday express ridership increasing 6% compared to January 2024. Subway ridership has also risen, up 7.3% on weekdays and 12% on weekends.
Traffic patterns indicate a shift in travel behavior, with more motorists opting for overnight trips to avoid congestion tolls. Passenger vehicles account for 57% of CRZ entries, while taxis and for-hire vehicles make up 36%.
MTA officials emphasize that these early results confirm the congestion relief program’s success in improving mobility, reducing gridlock, and making public transit a more attractive option for New Yorkers. The MTA will continue monitoring traffic trends and adjusting service to optimize travel efficiency.
