The nation’s first congestion pricing toll closed out its third week in Manhattan on Friday.
Has it been profitable? Is determined by who will get requested.
Some drivers have mentioned they’ve felt a substantial affect on their commutes, with much less site visitors to take care of. However others have mentioned issues are about the identical.
The MTA launched new numbers on Friday exhibiting that regardless of some perceptions, the controversial tolling program has made a huge impact on the variety of autos in Manhattan.
1000’s of autos have been avoiding the congestion zone by staying on the exempt roads, the West Facet Freeway and the FDR Drive. Throughout sooner or later through the plan’s second week in impact, the MTA mentioned 526,844 autos traveled under 61st Avenue — however solely 464,796 entered into the congestion zone.
“Everybody’s lived experience is the same: Traffic in midtown is dramatically down,” mentioned MTA Chairman Janno Lieber.
Nonetheless, some stay agency of their opposition.
“There’s a lot less traffic in the congestion zone, but outside there’s a ton of traffic,” mentioned Joanne Ariola, a Republican Metropolis Councilwoman from Queens.
Many drivers — notably these from New Jersey — proceed to really feel burdened by the $9 every day peak price. However security advocates level to a different good thing about the nation’s first congestion toll: fewer traffic-related casualties.
To this point in 2025, there have been 37 accidents from 90 crashes within the congestion pricing zone. That is a 51% drop in comparison with the identical time in 2024, when there have been 76 accidents from 199 crashes.
It has but to be revealed simply how a lot cash the MTA has raked in through the first three weeks of congestion pricing. The transit company’s board is more likely to ask about that through the first assembly of 2025, held over the last week of January.
