Until recently, New York City held the dubious distinction of having the worst traffic congestion in the world.
In 2023, drivers in the city lost over 101 hours annually stuck in gridlock between landmarks like the Empire State Building and the Brooklyn Bridge. This was more than drivers in London (99 hours), Paris (97 hours), Chicago and Mexico City (96 hours each). The INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard 2023 ranked New York as the most congested city globally during peak travel hours.
The economic impact was staggering. New York City estimates that congestion added up to 117 hours per driver annually for the 700,000 vehicles navigating southern Manhattan daily, costing $20 billion in lost productivity.
In response, New York City launched a bold initiative to tackle traffic chaos: congestion pricing.
A Toll with Immediate Results
The toll introduced in Manhattan’s Congestion Relief Zone comes with the slogan “Unlocking a better New York.” This zone stretches from the Hudson River in the south to 60th Street, which borders Central Park to the north.
Starting Jan. 5, 2025, vehicles entering this designated area must pay a toll, with prices reaching as high as $14.50. The cost varies depending on the vehicle type—cars, motorcycles, and trucks. For trucks, the fee can exceed $30.
The toll rates also differ depending on the time of day. During “rush hour” (5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends), the cost is higher, while off-peak hours offer lower fees. Those using E-ZPass benefit from a reduced rate. All collected toll revenue is directed toward enhancing the city’s public transportation infrastructure.
The toll has had immediate effects. City officials report that the average travel speed in the toll zone was 7.1 mph before the toll’s introduction. Since then, speeds on the bridges into the city have surged by 30-40%.
According to the Financial Times, travel speeds entering Manhattan via the Holland Tunnel from New Jersey nearly doubled, from 14 mph to 28 mph. Similarly, traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge has improved, with average speeds increasing from 13 mph during rush hour to 23 mph.
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This speed increase is largely due to fewer vehicles occupying the streets. For instance, the toll has reduced traffic entering the Holland Tunnel by up to 63% during the morning rush hour. Additionally, public transit ridership has increased by as much as 14% in some areas, underscoring the positive effects of the measure.
New Yorkers are noticing the difference. “We’re shocked. I never expected to see this, and I’ve been in New York almost 45 years. It’s a pleasure to not have to explain to the drivers that you have to wait your turn,” Shirley Matthews, a traffic manager overseeing the decongested streets, said in an interview with Gothamist.
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According to the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, vehicle traffic has significantly decreased in the first two weeks since the toll was implemented. In the first week alone, 273,000 fewer vehicles entered the restricted zone, and in the second week, the number dropped by 219,000 compared to pre-toll traffic levels.
Along with regulating traffic and improving pedestrian infrastructure, public transit users, particularly those traveling across bridges or tunnels into and out of Manhattan, have experienced significant benefits.
According to The New York Times, the SIM24 bus, which connects Manhattan to Staten Island, now takes an average of seven minutes less to pass through the Lincoln Tunnel. Similarly, the B39 bus, often slowed by congestion on the Williamsburg Bridge, has reduced its travel time by four minutes, equating to a 28%-time savings.
However, the Times remains cautious about the long-term impact of the toll. It notes that 85% of workers in the affected area already rely on public transportation, and transit officials emphasize that it’s too early to determine how commuting patterns might evolve.
The future of the toll remains uncertain, as it faces opposition from multiple quarters. Politico reports on a class-action lawsuit filed by Manhattan residents, criticism from the Trump administration, and objections from the teachers’ union. The measure has also drawn resistance from political allies, including New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who, despite sharing a party affiliation with New York Governor Kathy Hochul, has expressed opposition to the toll.
Image |Brendan Church (Unsplash)
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