MTA Board Approves Revised Congestion Pricing Plan for Manhattan

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board has approved a revised congestion pricing plan for Manhattan, marking a significant step in the effort to reduce traffic congestion and fund public transportation improvements. The plan, approved on Monday with a 12-1 vote, will introduce a toll of $9 for drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street starting January 5, pending federal approval.

The initial toll of $9 represents a 40% decrease from the originally proposed $15 toll, which was met with significant pushback from officials and residents. Despite the lower initial toll, it is set to increase to $12 in 2028 and then to $15 in 2031.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, who had paused the original plan due to concerns over the high toll, expressed support for the revised plan. “As I said from the start, a $15 toll was just too high in this economic climate. That’s why our plan cuts the daytime toll to $9 for cars,” Hochul stated. She emphasized that the plan will help “unclog our streets, reduce pollution and deliver better public transit for millions of New Yorkers”.

The congestion pricing plan is part of the MTA’s broader effort to generate $15 billion for its 2025-2029 Capital Plan, which aims to reduce congestion and air pollution, install modern signal systems on subway lines, purchase new electric buses, and make accessibility improvements at over 20 transit stations.

The new tolling system will utilize vehicle detection technology, including cameras and E-ZPass readers at detection points to identify all vehicles entering the central business district. This technology is designed to capture vehicle information from all traffic lanes.