Wednesday marked precisely one month since congestion pricing began in New York Metropolis. It’s the nation’s first and solely tolling plan of its variety, and new numbers present that not solely is it having a dramatic affect on the roads, but in addition the general public opposition to it might be softening.
MTA Deputy Coverage Chief Juliette Michaelson mentioned that between Jan. 5 and Feb. 4 of 2025, one million fewer autos entered the Central Enterprise District — a.okay.a. Manhattan under 61st Avenue — as in comparison with the identical stretch of time a yr prior.
That works out to about 250,000 fewer autos on metropolis streets per week, a 7.5% discount in vehicular visitors.
In different encouraging outcomes for the MTA, a brand new ballot from the agency “Morning Consult” confirmed that amongst those that ceaselessly drive into Manhattan, almost two-thirds (66%) assist the tolling program, with 32% opposing it. In keeping with that very same ballot, 59% of respondents mentioned President Donald Trump ought to enable congestion pricing within the metropolis to stay.
“I’m simply delighted that everyone can see the affect of this system straight away,” mentioned Michaelson.
Much less encouraging for the transit authority: Statewide, a majority of these surveyed nonetheless oppose the toll. That sentiment has Trump contemplating shutting down this system.
“There is a lot of political pressure from the suburbs from congressional candidates, and the president needs every one of those seats,” mentioned Kathy Wylde of the Partnership for New York.
Trump and Gov. Kathy Hochul had two conversations about congestion pricing on the finish of January. They’re anticipated to proceed their conversations on the subject into February.
Wylde mentioned that because the governor continues her makes an attempt to steer Trump to concentrate on the financial advantages of congestion pricing, many are seeing the advantages of getting extra time on their arms.
“The people that are paying the tolls are finding it’s more than worth their money to get back 20 minutes or even an hour in their day,” Wylde mentioned.
Some numbers are nonetheless not recognized, however eagerly awaited. Income figures coming on account of congestion pricing has not been shared, however particulars relating to simply how a lot cash the transit company has made are anticipated later in February, when information is offered for the MTA board.
A authorities watchdog group mentioned every passing day with the tolls in impact provides New York leverage, as a result of the MTA is making actual cash together with precise plans to modernize subway indicators and different tools.
“And the extra days this system is turned on, they only put out a bond anticipation word that might be lined with congestion pricing funds, the tougher it will get to unravel this system,” mentioned Rachael Fauss, of the group Reinvent Albany.
That nonprofit launched a memo opposing an thought from some state lawmakers that may grant extra teams, like first responders, an exemption from having to pay the toll. Fauss mentioned that such exemptions value different taxpayers extra money.
“If you exempt certain groups that means everybody else has to pay more,” she mentioned.
