With the primary full week of congestion pricing within the books, the MTA shared knowledge exhibiting the preliminary impacts of the controversial plan. And the company claims it’s working.
In keeping with their new numbers, the MTA mentioned 200,000 fewer automobiles entered Manhattan’s Congestion Reduction Zone under sixtieth Avenue. That is down greater than 7.5% from 2024.
Along with 218,917 fewer automobiles on the roads, inbound crossings moved 30-40% quicker, and normal site visitors on Manhattan streets within the space general moved 20-30% higher.
“This is not just incremental. Can I predict the future? No, but this does feel fundamentally different,” mentioned MTA Deputy Chief of Exterior Affairs Juliette Michaelson, who was partly chargeable for the design and implementation of congestion pricing. “There is less traffic, quieter streets. I think everybody has seen it.”
There have been 4 notable streets or areas the place site visitors under sixtieth Avenue didn’t enhance: Fifth Avenue, 57th Avenue, Second Avenue and the safety cordon close to Trump Tower.
MTA officers didn’t launch precisely how a lot cash generated within the first week, saying it may take weeks to calculate. However any cash can be model new income for the MTA.
The $9 E-ZPass toll at peak instances ($2.25 off-peak) added up for the transit company, although some cab drivers have speculated that the toll is so onerous, individuals could also be avoiding Manhattan fully.
“They’re not even coming to the city. It’s hard. It’s very hard,” mentioned taxi driver Nani Cooper.
The brand new info arrives as opponents — a few of whom sued unsuccessfully to dam congestion pricing — have continued to name on President-elect Donald Trump to change off the toll gantries as soon as he takes workplace on Jan. 20. In the meantime, Mayor Eric Adams defined why he’s sounded lukewarm at greatest in regards to the nation’s first congestion toll, which kicked off on the streets of his metropolis.
“It’s the law of the land right now. Worst thing I can do is throw more hysteria into this law of the land. Particularly when I don’t have any control over it,” the mayor mentioned throughout a press convention Monday.
