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Tags: manhattan | congestion tax | vehicles

1M Fewer Vehicles Hit Manhattan Since Congestion Tax Start

1M Fewer Vehicles Hit Manhattan Since Congestion Tax Start
(Anthony Behar / Sipa via AP Images)

Wednesday, 29 January 2025 06:32 PM EST

New York's congestion tax has led to 1 million fewer vehicles entering the busiest part of Manhattan and cut commuting times since the program began Jan. 5, a transit agency said Wednesday.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said inbound trips times on all Hudson and East River crossings are now 10% to 30% faster or more, while bus service also has improved. Subway ridership has grown by 7.3% on weekdays and 12% on weekends over the same time in January 2024.

Under the program, passenger vehicles are charged $9 during peak periods in Manhattan south of 60th Street. Trucks and buses pay up to $21.60. The fee, which is reduced by 75% at night, is designed to reduce traffic and raise billions to upgrade New York's subway and bus systems.

The MTA said an average of 490,000 vehicles have entered the toll zone each weekday, with another 63,000 vehicles staying on the excluded roadways around the zone and avoiding the toll.

The fee took effect after New Jersey failed to convince a judge to halt it. Last week, Democrat New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy asked President Donald Trump to reexamine the federal government's approval of the congestion program.

Charged via electronic license plate readers, private cars pay once a day regardless of how many trips they make into the central business district.

A few other cities around the world have congestion taxes. London, which implemented its system in 2003, now charges $18.67. Singapore and Sweden also have congestion tax plans.

Before the fee, New York said more than 700,000 vehicles entered the Manhattan central business district daily, slowing traffic to about 7 mph on average, which is 23% slower than in 2010.

The city estimated the congestion tax will bring in $500 million in its first year. Democrat New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the money would underpin $15 billion in debt financing for mass transit capital improvements, with 80% of the money to be spent on the subway and bus system, and the other 20% spent on two commuter rail systems.

© 2025 Thomson/Reuters. All rights reserved.


Newsfront
New York's congestion tax has led to 1 million fewer vehicles entering the busiest part of Manhattan and cut commuting times since the program began Jan. 5, a transit agency said Wednesday.
manhattan, congestion tax, vehicles
341
2025-32-29
Wednesday, 29 January 2025 06:32 PM
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