New York City congestion pricing plan takes shape
Motorists in New York City have a better idea of what congestion pricing will look like in the Big Apple.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has approved plans to move forward with congestion pricing in New York City’s central business district after receiving a report from the city’s Traffic Mobility Review Board. The central business district is the area in Manhattan south of 60th Street.
According to the report, the recommended congestion pricing for large trucks entering the central business district is $36. The suggested charge for smaller box trucks is $24.
Congestion pricing recommendations for remaining vehicles include:
- $15 for passenger vehicles
- $7.50 for motorcycles
- $1.25 per ride for taxis
- $2.50 per ride for app-based for-hire vehicles (e.g., Uber, Lyft)
For passenger vehicles, drivers would be capped at only one central business district toll per day. Truck drivers, on the other hand, would be charged each time they entered the district.
The above congestion pricing structure would apply to the peak hours between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. Fees would be reduced by 75% during off-peak hours.
A congestion pricing discount would apply to drivers who had already paid a tunnel toll. Drivers entering the central business district via the Lincoln and Holland tunnels from New Jersey and via the Queens-Midtown and Hugh L. Carey tunnels from Queens and Brooklyn would pay a smaller congestion pricing fee. The “crossing credit” would be $20 for large trucks and tour buses, $12 for small trucks and intercity/charter buses and $5 for passenger vehicles.
No crossing credit is recommended for nighttime trips as toll rates would be reduced by 75%.
Public hearings are expected to begin in February. It is anticipated toll collection would commence in late spring.
In January, the United Federation of Teachers and the office of the Staten Island Borough president filed a federal lawsuit to stop the congestion pricing plan. The lawsuit claims environmental impact studies were not thorough enough. Furthermore, the union claims the plan will merely shift traffic and pollution to the surround boroughs rather than reduce overall congestion and air quality. LL
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