Update: November, 2024
Congestion Relief Zone tolling begins January 5.
For ongoing updates see the VID Congestion Pricing Updates tab.
On November 14, 2024, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a phased-in approach to New York’s Congestion Pricing program, which was previously on pause. Today, the MTA Board approved this plan. Now, Congestion Relief Zone tolling will begin on Sunday, January 5, at midnight.
When tolling begins, vehicles entering the Congestion Relief Zone in Manhattan—local streets and avenues at or below 60 Street—will be charged a toll.
The toll amount will depend on the type of vehicle, time of day, whether any crossing credits apply, and the method of payment. For example, passenger vehicles with E-ZPass entering the Congestion Relief Zone at 60 Street will be charged $9 in the peak period and $2.25 overnight, once daily. Visit our website for more details on toll rates.
E-ZPass is the best and cheapest way to pay the toll. Most drivers will be able to pay with their existing E-ZPass tag and account.
If you already have an E-ZPass account, make sure it is up to date with your current license plate number as this will be needed for appropriate discounts, exemptions, and crossing credits.
If you do not have an account, you can sign up for one on the E-ZPass website.
Gov. Kathy Hochul's abrupt cancellation of Manhattan's congestion toll left a $1 billion annual gap in the MTA's budget, prompting her to propose a payroll tax increase on NYC businesses from 0.6% to 0.825%. This option faced significant opposition from Senate Democrats and was rejected by state lawmakers. The Legislature extended its session to address the unanticipated $1 billion gap and is considering a proposal to commit $1 billion IOU to the MTA in the next budget without specifying the funding source. The impact of this proposal on the MTA's ability to finance infrastructure projects is still being assessed. Lawmakers must identify a sustainable revenue stream by the 2025 session.
This is an unfolding story. We will update the Website as more information becomes available.
Sources: Gothamist NY Lawmakers Considering $1B IOU after Gov. Hochul’s Congestion, Pricing Flip-flop, Gov. Hochul’s congestion toll flip-flop spurs mad scramble at NY Capitol, NY Focus Hochul in Hiding as Congestion Pricing Hangs by a Thread, Official Gov. Statement
DENIED: Hochul’s Fails in Bid to Toss Pro-Congestion Pricing Suits Out of Court, StreetsBlog NYC article, September 2024
Congestion Pricing Update July, 2024
The MTA unveiled a scaled-back plan for the transit system after Governor Hochul paused the congestion pricing plan, which was set to fund $15 billion in improvements. The MTA will now focus on essential maintenance rather than expansion projects like the Second Avenue Subway and Brooklyn-Queens light rail, as well as much-needed plans to make 23 more subway stations accessible to people with disabilities (despite a 2022 legal settlement that 95% of the nearly 500 subway and Staten Island Railway stations be made compliant by 2055).
The decision to delay congestion pricing has sparked outrage among officials and advocates, who argue it undermines environmental and transportation goals. Many of them spoke at a rally and at the MTA Board meeting in Lower Manhattan on June 26 (photos from the rally below).
Restore Congestion Pricing!
Gov. Hochul's last-minute decision to indefinitely table the Congestion Pricing plan has sparked outrage among constituents who saw it as a beneficial measure for the environment, traffic reduction, and public transportation improvements. Despite its many flaws, Hochul's decision is short-sighted, and non-action negatively impacts public transit users, the disabled, and residents suffering from car and noise pollution. The plan promised $1 billion annually for public transit improvements but now leaves the MTA facing a financial crisis and the Central Business District with worsening traffic.
Take action:
- Take action with NYLCV - send e-letter to lawmakers
- Take action with NYC-DSA - send e-letter to Hochul and others
- Call Gov Hochul's office every day and voice your disappointment and frustration about this reckless reversal! 1-518-474-8390
Source: DNWSG: NY League of Conservation Voters
Articles 2024
New York Magazine: "What Made Kathy Hochul Flip? Inside the governor’s sudden U-turn on congestion pricing"
Politico: "JuneNew York City transit advocates, left-leaning pols look to sue over congestion pricing delay"
The Philadelphia Inquirer: "How a fearful, feckless Democrat became America’s worst* governor"
New York Times: "How Governor Hochul Decided to Kill Congestion Pricing in New York"
Village Sun: "Traffic plan jam: Governor Hochul slams brakes on congestion pricing"
CNN: "NY Gov Hochul delays controversial NYC congestion pricing plan ‘indefinitely’"
New York Times: Gov. Hochul’s Unwarranted Retreat on Congestion Pricing
New York Times:"Kathy Hochul Just Upended a Lot More Than Congestion Pricing"
New York Times: "Hochul's Payroll Tax is no Substitute for Congestion Pricing"
NY Focus: "Hochul in Hiding as Congestion Pricing Hangs by a Thread"
More information to come....
Starting June 30, 2024, vehicles entering the Congestion Relief Zone in Manhattan—local streets and avenues at or below 60 Street—will be charged a toll. SEE NEW CONGESTION PRICING WEBSITE HERE.
The toll amount will depend on the type of vehicle, time of day, whether any crossing credits apply, and the method of payment. For example, passenger vehicles with E-ZPass will be charged $15 in the peak period and $3.75 overnight, once daily. Visit the MTA website for more details on toll rates.
E-ZPass is the best and cheapest way to pay the toll. Most drivers will be able to pay with their existing E-ZPass tag and account. If you already have an E-ZPass account, make sure it is up to date with your current license plate number as this will be needed for appropriate discounts, exemptions, and crossing credits. If you do not have an account, you can sign up for one on the E-ZPass website.
For more information, please see the press release HERE regarding the Central Business District Tolling Program (CBDTP) - a/k/a Congestion Pricing
Applications for Discount and Exemption Plans Now Available Online