Govind Tekale
Manhattan’s streets will charge entry fees starting January 5, 2025, as Governor Kathy Hochul cuts the initial proposed toll from $15 to $9 for most vehicles entering below 60th Street. The toll reduction aims to help commuters save up to $1,500 annually while still funding critical MTA improvements.
“A $15 toll was just too high in this economic climate,” Hochul said during the November 14 announcement. “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.”
The toll structure includes:
- Passenger vehicles: $9 (daytime, once per day)
- Motorcycles: $4.50
- Small trucks and non-commuter buses: $14.40
- Large trucks and sightseeing buses: $21.60
- Taxis: $0.75 per ride
- App-based vehicles: $1.50 per ride
MTA projects the program will decrease vehicle entries by 10% and reduce vehicle miles by 5%. The collected tolls will generate $15 billion in bonds for the MTA’s Capital Program, funding the Second Avenue Subway extension to East Harlem, signal improvements on A/C and B/D/F/M lines serving 1.5 million daily riders, and accessibility upgrades at 20+ stations.
Environmental initiatives include $15 million for replacing diesel units at Hunts Point Market, $20 million for an asthma center in the Bronx, and $20 million for electric truck charging infrastructure. The plan allocates $10 million each for school air filtration and roadside vegetation.
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President-elect Donald Trump opposes the plan, telling the New York Post: “It will put New York City at a disadvantage over competing cities and states, and businesses will flee.” He plans to terminate the program after taking office January 20, 2025.
MTA Chair Janno Lieber emphasized public health benefits: “New Yorkers deserve cleaner air, safer streets and ambulances that can get to them without gridlock.”
The toll rates will increase to $12 by 2028. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy plans legal action to block implementation. NYC follows London, Singapore, Milan, and Stockholm in adopting congestion pricing.
The 2025-2029 MTA Capital Plan totals $68.4 billion: $47.8 billion for NYC Transit, $6 billion each for Metro-North and LIRR, $5.3 billion for major projects, and $3 billion for bridges and tunnels.”Excess congestion costs our metropolitan region more than $20 billion annually,” said Partnership for New York City CEO Kathryn Wylde. “This will benefit business and consumers across the region.”
