Traffic in Manhattan’s Central Business District Falls 7.5% After Congestion Pricing Fee Takes Effect
Traffic in Manhattan’s central business district fell by 7.5% last week and 273,000 fewer cars entered the borough’s central business district after the first congestion pricing fee in the U.S. took effect on January 5, according to New York City transit officials. The fee, which charges passenger vehicles $9 during peak periods in Manhattan south of 60th Street, is designed to reduce traffic and raise billions for mass transit.
Overall travel times are 30-40% faster on inbound river crossings into Manhattan, which has the most congested traffic in the United States. The fee is reduced by 75% at night, and trucks and buses pay up to $21.60. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) said less traffic means faster bus speeds, especially in the morning peak period.
Charged via electronic license plate readers, private cars pay once a day regardless of how many trips they make into the central business district. Taxis pay 75 cents per trip, and ride-share vehicles reserved by apps like Uber and Lyft pay $1.50 per trip.
The MTA has said the program will eventually result in 80,000 fewer cars a day, about an 11% reduction. Before the fee, the MTA said more than 700,000 vehicles entered the Manhattan central business district daily, slowing traffic to around 7 mph on average, which is 23% slower than in 2010.
The city estimates the congestion charge will bring in $500 million in its first year, which will be used to upgrade the city’s subway and bus systems. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the money will underpin $15 billion in debt financing for mass transit capital improvements, with 80% of the money to be spent on the subway and bus system, and the other 20% spent on the MTA’s two commuter rail systems.
