Driving in Manhattan? Prepare for New Tolls Starting Sunday/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ New York City’s congestion pricing plan takes effect Sunday, imposing tolls on vehicles entering Manhattan south of Central Park during peak hours. Designed to reduce gridlock and pollution, the tolls vary by vehicle type, time of day, and E-ZPass usage, with exemptions for certain groups.
Manhattan Congestion Pricing: Quick Looks
- Tolls Begin Sunday: Cars entering Manhattan south of Central Park during peak hours will pay $9 with E-ZPass.
- Overnight Discount: Tolls drop to $2.25 overnight for E-ZPass users.
- Non-E-ZPass Fees: Drivers without E-ZPass will pay higher rates, including $13.50 during peak hours.
- Exemptions: Emergency vehicles, school buses, and certain disabled drivers are exempt.
- Taxi and Ride-Share Impact: Riders will see surcharges of up to $1.50 per trip within the congestion zone.
Driving in Manhattan? Prepare for New Tolls Starting Sunday
Deep Look
New York City is set to implement congestion pricing, a long-debated toll system aimed at reducing traffic, curbing pollution, and generating revenue for public transit. The plan, which begins Sunday, applies to vehicles entering the busiest parts of Manhattan, marking the first such program in a U.S. city.
What Are the Tolls?
The tolls apply to vehicles entering Manhattan south of Central Park, known as the Congestion Relief Zone. Rates vary based on vehicle type, time of day, and whether drivers use E-ZPass:
- Peak Hours (5 a.m.–9 p.m. on weekdays; 9 a.m.–9 p.m. on weekends):
- Overnight (9 p.m.–5 a.m.):
- $2.25 for E-ZPass users.
- $3.30 for non-E-ZPass vehicles.
- Motorcycles: Pay half the rate of cars.
- Buses and Trucks: Rates depend on size, with higher charges for larger vehicles.
Who Is Exempt?
Exemptions include:
- Emergency vehicles and school buses.
- Drivers transporting disabled individuals.
- Low-income drivers who pay the toll 10 times in a month may qualify for a 50% discount on subsequent trips.
Drivers who pay tolls to enter Manhattan via the Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, Queens-Midtown Tunnel, or Hugh L. Carey Tunnel during peak hours may receive credits of up to $3 for passenger vehicles.
Taxi and Ride-Share Surcharges
Taxi and ride-share passengers will incur additional fees for trips within the congestion zone:
- Taxis and Green Cabs: 75 cents per trip.
- Uber and Lyft: $1.50 per trip.
Origins of Congestion Pricing
Congestion pricing is already in place in cities like London, Stockholm, and Singapore, but New York will be the first U.S. city to adopt the system.
The concept was first proposed by then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2007 but faced significant opposition. State lawmakers approved the idea in 2019, but legal and bureaucratic delays stalled its implementation.
Opponents, including commuters and commercial drivers, argue the tolls are burdensome, particularly for those entering Manhattan from New Jersey, where bridge and tunnel tolls are set to increase. A federal judge recently rejected New Jersey’s attempt to block the plan.
Environmental and Public Transit Benefits
Proponents, including environmental groups and public transit advocates, highlight the potential benefits:
- Reduced Air Pollution: Fewer cars in the congestion zone mean cleaner air.
- Transit Revenue: Funds raised will support New York’s subway, bus, and commuter rail systems, which serve millions daily.
Governor Kathy Hochul, who halted an earlier version of the plan over cost concerns, revived it in November with lower tolls. The initiative is expected to proceed before President-elect Donald Trump, who opposes the program, takes office on Jan. 20.
What Drivers Should Know
- Plan Ahead: Familiarize yourself with toll rates and exemptions before entering Manhattan.
- Use E-ZPass: Save money and avoid higher fees for mailed bills.
- Consider Alternatives: Public transit or carpooling can help bypass the congestion charges.
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