Manhattan Drivers Will Be Charged Extra In Tolls To Help Reduce Congestion In First-In-Nation Plan

New York has received critical federal authorization for its first-in-the-nation plan to charge significant tolls to Manhattan drive into the most visited parts of Manhattan, to help reduce traffic, improve air quality, and boost funds for the city’s public transit system.

Manhattan Drivers Will Be Charged Extra In Tolls To Help Reduce Congestion In First-In-Nation Plan (PHOTO: NBC New York)

Drivers In New York City Will Pay Extra In Tolls As Part Of The Effort To Reduce Congestion

The first-in-the-nation plan program first started in the spring of 2024, bringing New York City into line with places like London, Singapore, and Stockholm which have implemented similar tolling programs for highly congested business districts.

NBC NewYork reported that Manhattan drivers are charged as much as $23 per day just to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street as per some tolling plans under consideration, with the exact amount will still need to be determined by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Monday, a spokesperson for New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated that the congestion pricing plan cleared its final federal loads after receiving approval from the Federal Highway Administration.

Hochul also said that the program approved by the federal government is looking forward to the implementation of this program.

People going into Manhattan already settle great tolls to use many of the bridges and tunnels connecting the Hudson, East, and Harlem Rivers. The special tolls for the southern half of Manhattan would come on top of those fees.

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AP News stated that the new tolls are expected to yield an additional $1 billion annually, which would be used to fund borrowing to upgrade the subway, bus, and commuter rail systems operated by the MTThethe state Legislatlly approved a conceptual plan for congestion pricing in 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic combined with a lack of guidance from federal regulators stalled the project.

The plan has been sharply opposed by officials in New Jersey, where people bound for Manhattan by car could notice the costs of commuting skyrocket.

Taxi and car service drivers have also opposed it, claiming that it would make fares unaffordable. Some MTA proposals have contained caps on tolls for taxis and other for-hire vehicles.

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