In 2024, New York City will implement the nation's first congestion pricing program, known as the Central Business District Tolling Program. Drivers will be charged a toll to enter the Manhattan Central Business District - Manhattan south of and including 60 St, but excluding the FDR Drive, the West Side Highway, the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel connection to West St.
The CBD has some of the worst traffic in the country, costing individuals and businesses thousands of dollars every year in wasted time and lost productivity, and slowing down emergency vehicles and transit buses. More traffic also means more air pollution and associated health impacts.
Congestion pricing aims to reduce the number of vehicles entering the CBD, a transformative opportunity for New York to address climate change, improve public health, and boost the economy. For drivers, congestion pricing will mean less time wasted sitting in traffic, Buses, paratransit vehicles, and emergency vehicles will all move faster. Air quality will improve. And for the vast majority of people who enter the CBD by subway, train, or bus, congestion pricing will mean better transit service and faster commutes.
Project update
MTA Bridges and Tunnels held public hearings on February 29 at 6 p.m., March 1 at 10 a.m., and March 4 at both 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. The purpose of these hearings was to receive public feedback on the proposed Central Business District Tolling Program toll rate schedule.
Starting on December 27, 2023, and running through March 11, 2024, the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (MTA Bridges and Tunnels) accepted comments from the public on the proposed toll rate schedule for the Central Business District Tolling Program. All comments were recorded and submitted to the TBTA Board for review prior to adoption of a toll rate schedule for implementation.
Following a series of three public meetings, the Traffic Mobility Review Board (TMRB) produced its detailed report on November 30, 2023. View the report here. The report provides information regarding the TMRB’s review and analysis for purposes of establishing its recommendations to the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA) Board for their rate making consideration. It includes recommended toll rates, credits, discounts, and exemptions.
WATCH: Learn about the Central Business District Tolling Program
How the Central Business District Tolling Program will work
In 2019, the New York State Legislature enacted the MTA Reform and Traffic Mobility Act, directing the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (commonly referred to as MTA Bridges and Tunnels) to establish a congestion tolling program in the Manhattan Central Business District (CBD).
Toll rates haven't been finalized, but the proposed rate for most vehicles—passenger cars, small vans, and pick-up trucks—will be $15 to enter the CBD during the day, and $3.75 at night. Trucks and buses will pay a higher toll, depending on their size, while transit buses will be exempt. Passengers in taxis and for-hire vehicles will pay a small toll that applies to every ride in the CBD.
The CBD is defined as Manhattan south of and inclusive of 60 St, but excluding the FDR Drive, the West Side Highway, and the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel connection to the West Side Highway.
Vehicles entering the Manhattan CBD tolling zone will be detected by the tolling system equipment and charged a toll. Customers will be able to use their E-ZPass tags as they do to pay tolls on other roads, bridges and tunnels today. For those who do not have E-ZPass, a bill will be sent by mail to the registered owner of the vehicle.
Qualifying emergency vehicles and qualifying vehicles transporting people with disabilities will be exempt from the toll. Please check this page in the future for more information about the disability exemption.
In addition, there will be a Low-Income Discount Program for drivers whose Federal adjusted gross income is under $50,000. Please check this page in the future for more information about how to apply.
A New York State tax credit will be available to residents of the CBD whose State adjusted gross income is under $60,000. More information about claiming this credit will be available at a later date.
Who will benefit from congestion pricing?
In short, everyone. Congestion pricing will improve quality of life by reducing vehicular traffic and air pollution and making New York a safer and more livable place.
If you’re a driver, congestion pricing will reduce traffic and make it easier to get to, from, and around the Manhattan CBD. Congestion pricing means fewer cars on the road, so those who still need to drive will have faster trips and spend less time sitting in traffic.
If you rely on public transit, fewer vehicles on the road means faster bus and paratransit trips. Congestion pricing will also help fund transit improvements across the MTA system, including subways, buses, and commuter railroads. For example, signal upgrades will make subway trips more reliable and accessibility improvements will broaden access to the transit system.
If you’re a pedestrian or cyclist, streets with fewer vehicles are safer streets. And in addition to greater safety, you’ll enjoy a quieter, cleaner, more livable city as you move around.