At midnight on Sunday, January 5, New York City took a monumental step toward a cleaner, greener, and more efficient future with the official start of congestion pricing. For the first time, drivers entering the heart of Manhattan—south of 60th Street—will pay a toll, with most vehicles charged $9 during peak hours. This historic change has been years in the making and marks a turning point in the city’s efforts to tackle gridlock, air pollution, and underfunded public transit.
We thank our members and partners for their tireless advocacy and we are incredibly grateful to all those who stood firm throughout the long road to congestion pricing and what is a major achievement for all New Yorkers and for the region’s future.
The Benefits: A Cleaner, Healthier City
Congestion pricing aims to reduce traffic congestion in one of the busiest urban centers in the world. With fewer cars clogging the streets, we will see a reduction in harmful air pollution and emissions that contribute to climate change.
“We cannot drive our way out of the climate crisis. We need fewer cars on the road, less greenhouse gas emissions coming from our transportation sector, and less air pollution from tailpipes of cars idling in traffic choking our lungs,” said NYLCV President Julie Tighe. “This is not just a matter of reducing traffic—it’s about improving the health and quality of life for millions of people.”
As MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber aptly put it, “We’ve been studying this issue for five years. And it only takes about five minutes if you’re in midtown Manhattan to see that New York has a real traffic problem.”
Congestion pricing is a proven solution that has already worked in cities like London and Singapore, and with New York City being the first in the U.S. to implement this policy, cities across the country are watching closely.
Funding a Modernized Transit System
Congestion pricing will provide a significant funding stream for the MTA. The tolling system is projected to raise up to $15 billion, which will be used to renovate subways, buses, and commuter railroads. This includes updating tracks, cars, signals, and installing safety features like platform barriers. It will also provide much-needed accessibility upgrades, such as elevators and ramps — not to mention new stations in what are currently transit deserts — to ensure the system is equitable for all riders.
These funds are also essential to ensuring that our transit system is resilient in the face of climate change. From improving stormwater drainage to creating better ventilation for extreme heat, investments in our transit system will ensure it is prepared for the challenges ahead.
“If New York hopes to be ready for the next storm, we need to make significant investments to modernize our transit system,” said Tighe in a Daily News op-ed.
A Victory Years in the Making
The journey to this point has not been easy. First proposed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2007, congestion pricing faced years of opposition, legal hurdles, and setbacks. But with the approval of the plan as part of the state budget in 2019, the tide began to turn. In the years that followed, the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul was instrumental in getting congestion pricing over the finish line.
“This is a major victory for New Yorkers and for the entire region – decades in the making – and we are so grateful that Governor Hochul got it back on track,” said Tighe. “Governor Hochul has been invaluable in ensuring that this transformative policy moved forward, and we thank her for her commitment to a cleaner, healthier New York.”
Looking Ahead
As the first cars pass through the toll zones, the city embarks on a new chapter. With reduced traffic congestion, improved public transit, and a cleaner environment, New York City is setting an example of how urban centers can take bold action to combat climate change and improve the lives of their residents.
Congestion pricing is not just a win for the environment—it’s a win for equity, health, and the future of New York. Again we thank all of our members, partners, and elected officials who made this possible. Together, we’ve pushed for a brighter, greener, and more sustainable future—and we’re just getting started.