Manhattan Traffic Declines by 7.5% Following Implementation of New York’s Congestion Toll

January 14, 2025 TruthUSA

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority noted a shift in traffic patterns in Manhattan following the implementation of the congestion pricing program.

According to preliminary traffic data released by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on January 13, traffic in Manhattan reduced by 7.5 percent during the week after New York City’s congestion pricing plan went into effect.

The congestion pricing initiative, which began on January 5, involves a fee of $9 for most passenger vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street during weekdays from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Preliminary statistics indicated that roughly 539,000 vehicles entered Manhattan’s Central Business District daily between January 6 and January 10, marking a 7.5 percent drop from an estimated average weekday baseline of 583,000 for the month.

“Just look out the window: the streets are quieter, and there’s less traffic — we believe everyone has noticed this,” stated Juliette Michaelson, MTA deputy chief of policy and external relations, during a press conference on Monday. “Traffic patterns are already shifting, and we anticipate these changes will continue.”

The MTA reported that travel times for inbound river crossings into Manhattan, including the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels from New Jersey, decreased by an average of 30 to 40 percent.

Travel times on the Franklin D. Roosevelt East River Drive and the West Side Highway also improved during peak afternoon hours, with reductions ranging from 20 percent to 46 percent, according to the data.

Additionally, vehicles traveling on East-West streets within the Central Business District saw travel time enhancements, particularly during the afternoon, with trips speeding up by 4 percent to 36 percent. South-North avenues also reported improved travel times, with some routes becoming 21 percent faster, according to the data.

Despite some anecdotal claims of crowded train cars, Michaelson mentioned that there wasn’t a clear uptick in subway ridership, primarily due to the high baseline of over 3 million daily riders. A few bus routes originating in Brooklyn and Staten Island had witnessed increased ridership the prior week.

During the Monday press conference, New York City Mayor Eric Adams stressed the importance of analyzing traffic data for potential improvements, stating that the recently introduced congestion pricing marked a “significant shift” for city residents.

“My intention is not to add to the hysteria surrounding this issue. This represents a substantial change,” the mayor remarked. “I want the data to be available, to analyze what we can improve, what modifications we can make. It’s essential to give this system a fair chance to operate effectively. It’s now the law.”

Originally slated to launch last year with a $15 fee, the congestion pricing program was postponed by New York Governor Kathy Hochul. Subsequently, Hochul revived the initiative with a reduced $9 toll.

The governor projected that this lower toll could result in annual savings of approximately $1,500 for daily commuters, considering what they would have previously paid, and promised discounts for lower-income commuters. For instance, car owners earning below $50,000 annually would receive a 50 percent discount on each toll after their 10th toll in a month.

President-elect Donald Trump has previously signaled intentions to terminate the program upon taking office, but it remains uncertain if he will act on this. The plan faced delays during his first term due to a federal environmental review.

Trump remarked in November 2024 that congestion pricing “will place New York City at a disadvantage compared to other cities and states, leading businesses to vacate the area.”

Michael Washburn and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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