New York City drivers will likely soon pay a $15 congestion tax every day they enter Manhattan south of 61st street this summer, following the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s approval of the plan on Wednesday.
The proposal was approved in an 11-1 vote, with just one MTA board member from Nassau County voting against the measure. The new tolls are expected to go into effect on June 15, and passenger cars will need to pay $15 every time they enter the Central Business District.
“This program will reduce traffic in Manhattan’s central business district, reduce pollution, and provide critical funding for transit improvements,” the MTA said in a post on X. “We’re ready for the next steps, and expect to implement the program soon.”
The price differs depending on the size and type of vehicle. Small trucks and moving vans will need to pay $24 every time they enter the district, large trucks will need to pay $36, and motorcycles will need to pay $7.50. These rates will be in effect from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern.
The fees will only be imposed one time each day, so drivers who go in and out of the city often for work do not need to spend $15 every time.
The review board predicted that their congestion pricing plan would reduce the number of vehicles entering the area by 17%, which would reduce the number of cars in the area by 153,000, according to NBC New York. It is also expected to bring in $15 billion.
Despite the board’s approval, several lawsuits have emerged from the congestion plan, including one from Gov. Phil Murphy (D-NJ), who said he would protect New Jersey residents who commute into the city for work.
“The MTA’s actions today are further proof that they are determined to violate the law in order to balance their budget on the backs of New Jersey commuters,” Murphy said in a statement. “We will continue to avail ourselves of every option in order to protect residents on this side of the Hudson from an unfair tolling scheme that discriminates against New Jerseyans, especially lower and middle-income drivers.”
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Bus drivers, police cars, ambulances, fire trucks, and other specialized government vehicles are exempt from the fees.
Drivers who make less than $50,000 a year can apply for a discounted fee after their first 10 drives each month. But the discount would only save them $5 for passenger cars on each trip, $2.50 for motorcycles, $20 for large trucks, and $12 for small ones.
