NEW YORK – New York City’s congestion pricing plan’s has a start date.
The controversial plan charges a fee to enter Manhattan’s Central Business District.
The MTA estimates congestion pricing will result in 100,000 fewer vehicles in the zone every day.
The MTA says congestion pricing is necessary not only ease street traffic but also to raise critical funds to support mass transit projects, such as revamping the subway signal system. The MTA says a revamped signal system will improve overall train service, particularly during rush hour, by making it possible to run trains closer together, and trains therefore less crowded.
When will congestion pricing start?
According to the MTA’s website, congestion pricing will begin on Sunday, June 30.
The MTA is still contending with several ongoing lawsuits. The MTA has pushed back against those lawsuits, but say the litigation is effectively hampering their ability to make new improvements.
NYC congestion pricing map
The congestion pricing zone encompasses Manhattan’s Central Business District, including all of Lower Manhattan and running north through 60th Street.
CBS2
That area includes the Queensboro Bridge, Queens-Midtown Tunnel, Williamsburg Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge, Hugh Carey Tunnel, Holland Tunnel and Lincoln Tunnel.
What are the fees?
Drivers are being asked to pay $15 toll to enter Manhattan below 60th Street. The toll will be enforced via license plate scanners 5 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on weekends. Motorcycles will pay $7.50 during the day to enter the zone.
Other tolls are as follows:
- Cars: $15 during the day/$3.75 at night
- Motorcycles: $7.50/$1.75
- Small trucks: $24/$6
- Large trucks: $36/$9
- Taxis: $1.25 surcharge per ride
- For-hire vehicles: $2.50 surcharge per ride
- Tour buses: $36
- Charter buses: $24
Drivers coming through the tunnels would receive a credit against the $15 fee.
- Cars: $5 credit
- Motorcycles: $2.50
- Small trucks: $12
- Large trucks: $20
What about congestion pricing exemptions?
There have been numerous calls for exemptions, particularly for public employees who drive their private vehicles to work, like first responders and teachers. Despite their push to be excused, they were denied exemptions. Under the new system, however, most drivers will nonetheless have to pay the new tolls.
- New York City school buses are exempt
- Commuter vans licensed by the TLC
- Buses providing scheduled commuter service to the public, including long-distance lines like Megabus and Greyhound and regional lines like the Hampton Jitney
- Approximately half of the city’s 26,000 vehicles, dubbed “specialized government vehicles,” which are needed to perform public work in the Central Business District
- Some drivers who earn less than $50,000