New York Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled a plan to start implementing congestion pricing in New York City by early January as part of a new transit and traffic plan in that city.
The plan would lower the current $15 toll for cars entering the City’s Central Business District (CBD) to $9, a move she said would save drivers up to $1,500 annually. The plan also includes tools to reduce congestion and air pollution citywide. Additionally, Hochul committed funding to the 2025-2029 MTA Capital Plan approved by the Metropolitan Transit Authority Board in September.
“As I said from the start, a $15 toll was just too high in this economic climate. That’s why our plan cuts the daytime toll to $9 for cars,” Hochul said. “By getting congestion pricing underway and fully supporting the MTA capital plan, we’ll unclog our streets, reduce pollution and deliver better public transit for millions of New Yorkers.”
Hochul’s congestion pricing plan has support from the Regional Plan Association (RPA), League of Conservation Voters (LCV), Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Partnership for New York City and Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), among others. The plan will be taken up by the MTA Board at its Nov. 18 meeting. If approved, the new congestion pricing would be ready for implementation at midnight on Sunday, Jan. 5.
“New Yorkers deserve cleaner air, safer streets and ambulances that can get to them without gridlock, and the Governor is stepping up for them and for riders who need trains and buses to get them where they have to go — just like she did with the Budget in 2023,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said. “Now you’re seeing it again, a huge milestone for 6.5 million commuters. We want to bring more frequent and reliable service — to all our customers — just like we have on the 7 and L lines where upgrades are already complete.”
Under the plan, the toll structure for entering New York City’s CBD would drop to $9 per passenger vehicle, $4.50 per motorcycles, $14.40 for small trucks and non-commuter buses, and $21.60 for large trucks and sightseeing buses for daytime E-ZPass once per day.
A 75 percent discount would apply for nighttime, and tunnel crossing credits would reduce by 40 percent of the original plan. A per-ride fee for all trips to, from, or within the CBD would also apply, with taxis and black cars paying $.75 per ride, and app-based for-hire vehicles paying $.150 per ride.
Officials said the new toll structure would still allow the MTA to leverage $15 billion in bonds for the MTA’s current Capital Program over time.