Drivers might pay $23 to drive into Manhattan, says MTA’s new congestion pricing plan 

A new study released by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Wednesday found that charging drivers who enter Manhattan south of 60th street up to $23 could reduce car traffic by 20%. 

Drivers entering the toll zone could be facing fees between $5 and $23 per trip, depending on the time of day and type of vehicle. The busier the time, the more drivers should expect to pay. 

Commercial vehicles and trucks could expect to pay from $12 to $81, decreasing traffic anywhere from 21% to 81%, the study also found 

While the possibility of implementing congestion pricing has been widely talked about in New York City, this is the first time the MTA has put out a range of tolls for consideration, reported Gothamist. 

The MTA’s congestion pricing program intends to discourage driving in the city to reduce the amount of traffic in Manhattan while raising money for transit improvements. 

The plan intends to raise about $1 billion a year from congestion pricing. Around 80% of that money would go towards the city’s subways and buses, 10% to the Long Island Rail Road, and 10% to Metro-North. 

“This is different than a typical tolling system,” a senior MTA official said. “[In a] typical tolling system you’re tolling for upkeep of the facilities. In this case, we’re really tolling to help reduce congestion and then raise the revenue for transit, which further reduces congestion.”

The plan was originally passed in 2019 by then-Governor Andrew Cuomo and the state legislature, but was delayed due to inaction by the federal government, added The Gothamist. This kind of congestion plan would be the first of its kind in the United States. 

The MTA hopes to get the plan up and running by the end of 2023 or early 2024.  

“Bottom line: this is good for the environment, good for public transit and good for New York and the region,” Janno Lieber, MTA chairperson and CEO, said in a statement.