Left rectangle ads redesigned
Robert Ripps book
History of Tribeca Buildings
Congestion pricing is here
With four of the legal challenges cleared as of this week, all signs point to congestion pricing starting Saturday, right after midnight. New Jersey has been the fiercest opponent for reasons I still don’t understand.
Tribecan and transportation consultant Charlie Komanoff monitored the “lawyer chit-chat” all week, and as of a couple of hours ago, the judge hearing the New Jersey federal lawsuit ruled to deny the state’s request for a temporary restraining order. That was the last hurdle.
Drivers will be charged a toll on their E-ZPass once per day when they enter what the MTA is now calling the “Congestion Relief Zone,” FKA the Central Business District south of 60th Street. Still except are the highways — the FDR Drive, West Side Highway and the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel connecting to West Street. The tolling devices kick in when you cross into the grid.
NB: These rates get us through 2027. They go up to $12 for passenger vehicles in 2028, and $15 in 2031.
The peak period toll rate will apply from 5a to 9p on weekdays and 9a to 9p on weekends. All other times, drivers will be charged off peak toll rate.
Some more details:
- Low-Income Tax Credits are available for those who live in the zone.
- Drivers without E-ZPass will be mailed a toll bill to the address of the registered vehicle — and it will be 50 percent more than the usual rate.
- Yellow taxis and black cars will be charged 0.75 cents per trip
- Uber and other app-based vehicles $1.50 per trip
- Drivers using the Lincoln, Holland, Queens-Midtown and Hugh L. Carey tunnels will get a $3 credit when they enter the zone.
46 Comments
Comment:
Medium rectangle #1 (top)
Right column rectangle ads
Mega rectangle
Restaurant guide icon
Congestion pricing is nothing more than a government sponsored scam.. Its time for everyone to cover their plates, take off their ez pass transponders and just drive through the congestion pricing zone for free. Nobody should have to pay this. This is taxation without representation. If nobody pays then government can’t do anything about it. Hochul needs to be impeached for being a terrible governor.
Yeah ..go ahead and do that and have your car impounded or seized. One less car clogging the streets.
I think you should reacquaint yourself with the definition of ‘taxation without representation’, sir.
How is this tax without rep? You elect officials and they voted for it. You get to vote, you have representation. People need public transit to work, and emergency vehicles cant be caught up in the worst traffic anywhere transporting someone with lung issues from breathing toxic fumes from cars. I think this is a very good idea.
Lung issues only from car fumes? Very dramatic Patrick.
@Will I agree with you not only is it a tax it is a regressive tax.
This a burden on drivers and those with lower incomes while fare evasion just keeps getting higher on the buses and subways. Businesses will see a drop in revenue from a loss of traffic and costs for small business will go higher as vacancy rates in lower Manhattan are already at around 20 percent.
It is a user fee, not a tax and a progressive one at that. The users, drivers and car owners, are mostly richer than the people using mass transit. If they live far away, they can drive to mass transit entry points and enjoy a few precious minutes of sweet privacy. The war on cars is a good war. I hope this is a first of many campaigns for de-Moses-ification. Lets make Penn through running. Let’s tax parking lots to encourage more housing conversion and price on-street parking properly. While we’re at it, we can install proper gates so subway fare evaders can’t get on our trains. We need to re-make the city for people!
There was drama tonight as NJ applied for a temporary restraining order on the tolls, and there was a hearing this afternoon where the decision didn’t come until 8:30p, denying NJ’s request. They will appeal (again!) tomorrow (Sat) to a higher court, but all signs are still go.
How can another state (NJ) have any say on what tolls this state (NY) imposes within its own limits?
Not a lawyer, but, the complaints all rely on the same tools used to block development of any kind – that the “environmental review” process, in this case the one built into the federal highway laws, was insufficient and failed to properly account for and mitigate the extra pollution that will land in NJ. I think these environmental review lawsuits are usually garbage, but they’re an incredibly effective tool for slowing stuff down.
I think if you got down to the very bottom of the constitutional basis for these laws in this instance it’s got to be the interstate commerce authority granted by the constitution to congress, but so far none of the relevant challenges have been constitutional.
@mg: Your layman’s hunch matches up with what Tribeca resident (and attorney) Jess Coleman wrote yesterday, on Twitter:
“NJ’s basis for its case is the Dormant Commerce Clause, which appears nowhere in the constitution and is an incredibly amorphous area of law.
“The judge rejected NJ’s case, except for one tiny point, which even the judge admitted in a footnote was dealt with in the supplemental record, but declined to consider it because of a technicality.
“The judge then decided to remand to a federal agency to do… something. It’s not clear. It was a made up problem with a made up remedy.
“So here we are. A democratically enacted piece of legislation, creating a simple toll, is currently in limbo because our legal system has become an undemocratic, Kafkaesque institution that creates bespoke solutions for blocking progressive policies.
“I hope the judge makes the right decision. But this saga is a perfect illustration that our entire system of policymaking in this country is severely broken.”
As you probably know, Jess is running in the 2025 Democratic primary to unseat CM Chris Marte. Jess’s legal acumen, policy chops, and, yes, unequivocal support for congestion pricing are some of the reasons I’m backing his candidacy.
My family supports Chris Marte.
We especially appreciate his authenticity, his interest in constituents and his work.
Not interested in more luxury real estate candidates.
I spoke with Chris Marte a few times. I dont believe he is good for NYC, and certainly not for actually getting housing done. He voted against the city of yes.
Chris Marte is a nice guy, but soooo ineffective. I only wish enough residents would come out to vote for city council so someone else can take his place and actually accomplish something.
Jess Coleman is exactly what this city needs less of. Wasn’t there a referendum on this exact type of candidate two months ago? Read the room. 70% of New Yorkers do not support this tax. These are the same people that have been on the wrong side of every issue since Bloomberg left office. Nauseating level of entitlement, selfishness and privilege. If somebody like Jess Coleman or Brad Lander or (insert any progressive politician that has destroyed our city) really cared about congestion, they could start by shutting down their voting block’s weekly anti-American protests. Or they could stop widening bike lanes. Or they can advocate for elected officials to stop using tax-payer funded black cars so they are forced to deal with the consequences of their bad policy like the rest of us. But they don’t, obviously, because they only advocate for things that inconvenience other people. Never themselves. And the concept of a fair and equitable outcome is alien to them.
Congestion pricing as a policy is a brazen cash grab by the MTA funded by those who stand to benefit most: the rideshare apps. Corporate capture. If the MTA needs to raise money, they can start with the $700mm of annual fare evasion they fail to collect or cut their executives’ salaries. Not levy another tax on one of the most heavily-taxed jurisdiction in the country. Regarding the ride share companies: do some research and see who the largest donors are pushing this tax. Then ask yourself why.
Now consider the impact on first responders, service workers, small businesses, and the outer-boroughs – and how selfish it is to force these people to use public transportation given its descent into chaos (ironically, the same people who advocate for congestion pricing are the reason the subways are so dangerous). And if that isn’t enough, consider how services may wane because of the added cost burden on their employees. What do you think an additional tax will do to costs for everything from hiring a moving company to getting groceries?
As a general rule, when the worst people in the room support something – it is probably bad policy. This is no different. It will benefit the very privileged few at the expense of everybody. Stop me if you’ve seen how this movie ends.
The Commerce clause is not “nowhere in the constitution”. It’s in Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3. And it is anything but “dormant”. In fact, it is the constitutional basis for most of the federal law in this country.
what I find frustrating is that the folks from NJ are claiming “environmental” impact on the neighborhoods near the GW bridge on the theory that those seeking to avoid the toll will use the GW rather than the Lincoln or holland tunnels. First, the only way this holds water at all is as it applies to drivers “passing through” Manhattan, because regardless of how you enter Manhattan, once you go below 60th street, you get charged. So the “extra” cars they are predicting will end up in the roads in northern NJ can only apply to those folks who otherwise would take one of the tunnels to “enter” Manhattan, but then not go anywhere in congestion zone. I find it hard to believe that there are that many people who do this. Also, NJ’s claim amounts to “screw people in NYC, let them have all the “grid lock” and “pollution”caused by NJ folks coming into NYC. We want to live in the suburbs, enjoy all the benefits of driving into NYC, but bear none of costs to maintain roads and a good mass transportation system.”
Is there a useful resource that clearly shares the details of this plan? Very confusing to figure out how this impacts residents in Tribeca who reside within the zone. For example, if a Tribeca resident drives to the West Village or Chelsea via the West Side Highway, are they charged since they technically left the zone while on the highway? If that same resident does not take the West Side highway and instead takes the side streets to West Village or Chelsea (ie Hudson St or 6th Ave); I’m assuming they are not charged?
No. I have written about this a lot — look at this post and others. In short, if you start and end in the zone, and do not cross a river or 60th Street, you are not tolled.
I shared this with my NY office folks. Most appreciated it
https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/01/05/congestion-pricing-has-begun-here-is-the-only-explainer-you-need
I’m trying to figure out what will prevent massive amounts of vehicles from driving down West Street (out of congestion zone) to enter BPC (also out of congestion zone AFAIK) to park. Am I missing something?
You’re missing the fact that your hypothetical vehicles will be charged once they exit West St and enter BPC. So no incentive to do your workaround (unless your destination is Bklyn, which you can drive to via the Bklyn Battery Tunnel w/o paying the congestion charge, though you’ll pay the incumbent TBTA toll).
for my ASP people – assuming you have been parked in tribeca and are just moving your vehicle to a new spot for alternate side parking – if you drive west down N Moore, onto west st, and re-enter the zone via Vestry/Hubert/Chambers – is there a charge?
No.
No, you have to enter a highway and then cross 60th or a bridge or tunnel to get charged.
But BPC is not part of the congestion zone. On the map it looks like the areas on the water side of West Street and the FDR are not included.
Actually it is, as is Pier 40 and Waterside. That is just a graphic representation of the plan…
I checked two of the BPC intersections with West Street and didn’t see anything that looks like the cameras they have installed at 60th Street,
https://gothamist.com/news/mta-congestion-pricing-infrared-cameras
so how will they know when cars enter?
You enter the zone either at the bridges, tunnels or 60th Street.
They’re installed on the undersides of the foot bridges that cross West Street.
You do that Tom and tell us how that works for you. Also, maintenance money grows on trees. Right?
Previously posted that this is a tax not congestion charge as it is not waived at off peak say 7pm (as in other cities like London). This allows people to come in for free to go to a restaurant, enjoy a night out etc and visit on a weekend. The can enjoy the city and critically support NY businesses. If it stays as is it should called a straight tax should be called that.
Would only now add that timing is also odd as the subway and public transport is getting more and more dangerous. Will we see the city and state move towards making the public transport safe again or continue policy of soft/zero policing ? If you want people to move back to public transport it can’t just be tax them so they can’t afford to get to work or visit the city (can it ?) but has to be make public transport more comfortable and safe. I like public transport but would hesitate to use it at certain times of the day or to take my family on it. Pushing people under trains, random attacks, getting set on fire, it’s hard to blame people for wanting to use a car. I am sure stats will say crossing the road is more dangerous but I myself can control how to cross a road and maximize safety and minmise risk. I can’t control for random attacks or events in a crowded environment that is recognized to have low policing and law enforcement.
Love the city, feel lucky to live here, not going anywhere. Just surprised that the tax revenue raised, which is massive compared to equivalent global cities – 15-20% higher than say London)-s not leading to better transport etc. Where is it all going ?
Well, you can come in any time without a toll by public transportation. That is why it is called a toll and not a tax…
well normally agree with TC on most things but this is one of those rare occasions I think you are being generous. Effectively it’s a tax, most people don’t have a choice and the alternatives are not what they should be – as published here. It’s raised at every part of the day regardless of congestion which actually ebbs and flows. It’s designed to maximize revenue not to manage traffic. No new roads have been built, they have all been previously paid for. Other tolls normally produce a new road. There is no free time particularly in the evenings when restaurants, the arts etc want people coming to them. Other congestions charges are not charged at peak hours. It’s a tax.
But it’s happening. Hope it leads to real investment and improvement in the Subways. Worth checking in on that here in one and two years time.
Most people don’t have a choice? They do, though they might not like their choices.
@Will: Though regular TC readers will know that I differ on many points in your two posts, I agree with you that the peak toll period is excessively long, particularly on weekends. But I mostly want to compliment you for your measured tone — a refreshing vibe that the rest of us (myself included) will do well to emulate. Thank you.
How many people ride the subway each day? Apx 5million. 5million people ride the subway each day. Let that sink in. How many people get hurt, pushed, stabbed? A handful. I’m not denying subway violence. But I do object to sensationalizing what is happening on the subway.
I’ve taken the subway for 30+ years. My kids have grown up in manhattan taking the subway fo 20+ years. I feel pretty safe. Partially because the stats say so, but also because we stay aware, head out of the phone. We all do what we can to control our safety. But with al due respect, You can no longer control getting hit by a car, regardless of when you want to cross the street, than you can control Subway violence, but you can remain aware and dilligent. This is NYC afterall.
Could this make the NJ to Brooklyn (and vice versa) route through Staten Island and the Verrazano Bridge more attractive than the Holland Tunnel/Manhattan Bridge via Canal Street option? One can hope.
One glaring omission from this discussion is that there is effectively zero discount for people who live in the zone. The paperwork and officious bureaucracy involved in applying for a low income or disability discount is egregious. In London (which this program was allegedly modeled from), residents of the “congestion zone” get a 90% discount. And, as another person noted, the congestion high fee time period in London ends at 7pm to encourage people to come into the city for dinners, shows, etc. This is effectively an additional tax for many people who live in the zone (as all the costs to businesses will be passed on to consumers, a huge burden for workers, sick or elderly who need to drive as public transportation is not a viable option, and will be a nail in the coffin for already struggling small businesses in the zone. Government greed and stupidity at its worst.
Would love a common sense candidate that is focused on clean streets, safe subways and reasonable development that brings commerce back to the streets of downtown. Enough with wasting money on ridiculous vanity projects, mental-health initiatives that are worthless and policies that hurt the people who work, live and raise families downtown. IT NEEDS TO CHANGE.
Right. Perspective her is essential, rather than focusing on a few vivid (and admittedly horrifying cases): Which is actually safer as a means of travel, subway vs. car?
“Last year, there were far more traffic fatalities than subway fatalities in New York City. More than 250 people died in traffic-related incidents in 2024, compared to 10 on the subway, according to NYPD data.”
– Gothamist article (published yesterday) – https://gothamist.com/news/feeling-anxious-about-riding-the-nyc-subway-heres-a-guide-for-staying-safe-underground
(I assume the 10 number refers to murders, and does not include suicides or things like subway-surfing…?)
Of course, I still agree that subways should be far safer, and there needs to serious enforcement against fair evasion. I have yet to see one person given a ticket for fare evasion since the pandemic. Instead, I see people jump turnstiles right in front of the “security” who do nothing.
Is the safety issue just a subway problem though, or a general NYC problem of an increase in crime? If the powers that be are weak on enforcing the law, and punishments to lawbreakers are weak or non-existent, then that’s a problem for the whole city, including but not limited to subway riders.
With all the extensive news coverage and varying points of view, I have not seen a definitive answer to the most important questions.
1- How many vehicles paying the toll are necessary for the MTA to meet its financial goals?
2- How is this vehicle volume that meets financial goals, less than current vehicle volume, thereby diminishing congestion?
On Sunday I went to the MET from BPC, using West End / FDR. Came back same way and parked across our apt in BPC. Will I pay the toll? In theory yes, despite making zero sense. Guess will find out as soon as I get the EZ pass statement
yes
Yesterday I exited the Holland Tunnel, crossed Laight St to the West Side Hwy, went north and turned into Pier 40 to park. I looked at my EZPass account this morning and don’t see a congestion toll. The tunnel toll is there but nothing else. Maybe it takes longer than a day for congestion tolls to appear… we’ll see.