NYC Congestion Pricing Begins 2nd Year As Officials Say It's 'Working'

NEW YORK CITY — A year after congestion pricing in Manhattan was first implemented, Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday said the program is "working" as at least 27 million fewer cars have entered the congestion zone.

Hochul made the comments in a social media post, adding that the "cameras are staying on."

Since the toll began last year, speeds on Manhattan crossings are up 23 percent and air pollution is the congestion zone is down 22 percent.

In addition, the city saw a 6.3 percent increase in sales tax revenue and office leasing rose by 9.2 percent.

The funds from the toll will help the LIRR and Metro-North get 300 new train cars and the MTA plans to purchase 400+ subway cars, and make 23 subway stations more accessible. Projects like modernize signals on the A and C lines, along with paying for the next phase of the Second Avenue Subway, will also be funded.

The one-year anniversary of congestion pricing comes as the MTA and the Trump administration await a ruling from a federal judge on the fate of the program later this month.

The judge has set oral arguments in the case for Jan. 28, Bloomberg first reported.

The MTA has sued the Trump administration over the future of congestion pricing after the Department of Transportation revoked federal authorization of the toll.

President Donald Trump had initially given the MTA until March 18, 2025 to end the program and tolls to allow for an "orderly cessation." That deadline went and passed, with Governor Kathy Hochul along with MTA officials saying the tolls would continue to stay on.

In an attempt to pressure the city to end the program, U.S. DOT Chief Sean Duffy threatened to hold up funds for some federally funded road projects in the city.

Starting on Jan. 5, 2025 drivers pay $9 to drive into the congestion zone during peak hours. The zone runs from 60th Street to the lower tip of Manhattan.

"The impact of congestion pricing on our city has been massive and measurable. Traveling on NYC streets is safer and faster. Crashes within the zone are down 8.6%, and noise complaints reduced by 17%. Crossings on our bridges and tunnels have also dramatically reduced— trips through the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels are 51% and 25% faster, and the Queensboro Bridge and Queens Midtown Tunnel are respectively 30% and 18% faster," Open Plans Executive Director Sara Lind said in a statement.

"Thanks to congestion pricing, there are 11% less cars in the zone daily in NYC. We are headed in the right direction towards prioritizing people over cars. We urge the governor and mayor to build on this success and fast track improvements like bus lanes and pedestrian spaces that will make our city safer and more equitable for all.”