NYC MTA Begins Congestion Pricing Today
By Manhattan Real Estate Tracker, January 5, 2025
NYC MTA Begins Congestion Pricing Today
After years of legal challenges and delays, the New York City Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) began its congestion pricing toll starting today. This is the new toll fee schedule:
Source: MTA
Over the past 20 years the city has closed off more and more lanes to vehicular traffic by adding bike lanes and “pedestrian malls” where people can sit where cars, trucks and buses used to be allowed. This has contributed to congestion. New York City has concluded that its air quality has improved dramatically during the 2012 to 2022 period. From the data collected by New York City, which is located in Region 2, there was only one exceedance of the EPA ozone standard at a Queens monitoring site (which is only a concern in the summer and is also a regional problem) by only .001 parts per million. The data shows that for most pollutants measured, the city is well-below the EPA health standards as averaged over the past 10 years.
The NYC311 portal states the following:
Tolls vary by vehicle and the time of day. The peak period toll rate will apply from 5 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and 9 AM to 9 PM on weekends. All other times, drivers will be charged off peak toll rate.
Vehicles without an E-ZPass will pay 50% more than the usual rate.
| Type of Vehicle | Peak | Off Peak |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger and small commercial vehicles (Sedans, SUVs, pick-up trucks, and small vans) | $9 | $2.25 |
| Motorcycles | $4.50 | $1.05 |
| Trucks and buses | $14.40 – $21.60 | $3.60 – $5.40 |
Trucks and buses will pay toll depending on their size and function during both peak and off-peak hours.
Taxis and For-Hire Vehicles
Taxis and for-hire vehicles whose companies or bases are enrolled in the Per-Trip Charge Plan will be charged a per-trip toll, paid by the passenger.
- Green and yellow taxis and black cars: $0.75 per trip
- App-based for-hire vehicles: $1.50 per trip
This toll is separate from the State congestion surcharge for some taxis and for-hire trips entering Manhattan South of 96 Street.
Crossing Credits
Vehicles using a valid E-ZPass will get a credit to reduce Congestion Relief Zone Tolls when entering:
- Lincoln Tunnel
- Holland Tunnel
- Queens-Midtown Tunnel
- Hugh L. Carey Tunnel
| Type of Vehicle | Credit up to: |
|---|---|
| Passenger Vehicle | $3 |
| Motorcycles | $1.50 |
| Small trucks and charter buses | $7.20 |
| Large trucks and tour buses | $12 |
No crossing credits will be offered overnight. Tolls will be reduced by 75% from the peak tolls.