The country’s first pricing program to fight traffic congestion in NYC

The Manhattan Central Business District Tolling Program has received a green light from the Federal Highway Administration — and New York City is on its way to implementing the nation’s first congestion-pricing program.
What is the Central Business District Tolling Program?
The program will charge a $9-$23 daily toll for vehicles to drive below 60th Street during peak traffic hours, The Hustle reported.
The electronic tolling system will use overhead sensors to read drivers’ E-ZPass tags and charge the fee to their accounts. Those without the E-ZPass tag will be able to use the Tolls by Mail program.
Under the CBD program, rates will change at a set time of day to maintain variable tolling. Those who seek to drive in the designated toll area in the middle of the night, for example, will be charged less than those who drive during rush hour.
Taxi and ride-share drivers will only be tolled once a day, frequent low-income drivers will receive a discount, and residents who make less than $60,000 a year will get a New York state tax credit for CBD tolls paid. Vehicles transporting people with disabilities and emergency vehicles will not have to pay the toll.
Why is the Manhattan CBD Tolling Program important?
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced: “Congestion pricing will reduce traffic in our crowded downtown, improve air quality, and provide critical resources to the [Metropolitan Transportation Authority].”
Each day 700,000 cars, taxis, and trucks enter Lower Manhattan, one of the busiest areas in the world, per the MTA website.
A 2018 study conducted by the MTA “estimated that congestion in the New York City region would cost businesses, commuters, and residents $100 billion over five years.”
Programs like the new one can also help to reduce both air and noise pollution.
“Reducing emissions from cars and trucks and improving transit so that it is a viable and reliable choice for our mobility needs is critical for reaching our climate goals,” stated Tri-State Transportation Campaign Executive Director Renae Reynolds after news of the CBD Tolling Program’s approval.
After covering the program’s costs, 80% of the money collected from the CBD Tolling Program will be used to improve and modernize the NYC subway system and buses, 10% will go to improving the Long Island Rail Road, and 10% will go to the Metro-North Railroad, according to the MTA.
Improving these commuter railroad projects should make them faster, more accessible, and more reliable.
Though this is the first time a congestion-pricing program is being implemented in the U.S., major cities have seen success with similar programs. According to a 2008 report by the Federal Highway Administration, Stockholm saw a 9%-26% reduction in traffic congestion in certain areas and a 10-14% drop in carbon dioxide pollution.
New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez expressed excitement for the program’s approval: “We are leading the nation in developing a congestion pricing program that will deliver a safer, healthier, and more equitable city.”
Last news

Raids on storage facilities in New York City turned up a huge haul of counterfeit handbags, shoes and other luxury merchandise that could have been worth more than $1 billion if the knockoffs had been real, federal authorities announced Read more...

From Chick-fil-A and KFC to Taco Bell and Jack in the Box, the American Customer Satisfaction Index has released the rankings of America's favorite fast-food chains in 2023 Read more...

Simon Properties, one of the largest mall operators in the United States, has decided to close most of its properties on Thanksgiving Day for the fourth consecutive year. Read more...

Shop daily savings on must-have tech, holiday gifts, and kitchen appliances. Read more...

Here at Reviewed, November is our favorite month. The rest of the year is spent testing and reviewing products to help us figure out what is really worth it. Come November, we are fired up to find the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on all of our favorite things Read more...

The 2023 NYCWFF New York City Wine and Food Festival, in October, is one of NYC’s most popular food festivals. In partnership with The Food Network, it features walk-around tastings, intimate dinners, culinary demos, brunches and lunches, pier parties, master classes, cocktail parties, family fun and more Read more...

Between events that highlight beer, wine, corn, garlic, and ribs, there’s a food event for everyone in Chicago and the suburbs in August. Be sure to double-check the event pages for times, locations, and admission information. Read more...