NEW YORK (AP) — New York A much-discussed plan After years of bureaucratic and legal hurdles, a bill to charge drivers to enter central Manhattan is set to go into effect Sunday.
The goal of what’s known as “congestion pricing” is to reduce traffic congestion and pollution and increase revenue for public transit agencies. Governor Kathy Hochul said this week The government will promote the plan.
If you’re planning on driving to Manhattan after January 5th, here’s what you need to know.
Do I have to pay tolls?
This fee applies to the south side of Central Park, which is Manhattan’s busiest area. It depends on time and whether your car has E-ZPass, an electronic toll collection system used in many states.
During peak traffic hours, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. Most cars, SUVs, light vans, and pickup trucks using E-ZPass have a one-time $9 fee.
Nightly tolls drop to $2.25.
Drivers without an E-ZPass will receive a bill in the mail and will pay an additional fee of $13.50 during peak hours and $3.30 at night.
Motorcycle fares are half the price of cars during peak hours. Bus and truck drivers will be paid more depending on their size.
There are some exceptions. Certain emergency vehicles, school buses, people with disabilities who cannot use public transportation, and those who transport them are all exempt. Low-income drivers who pay 10 times a month can claim a 50% discount on their rides for the rest of the month.
There will also be a short break for those who have already paid to enter Manhattan via the Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, Queens Midtown Tunnel, or Hugh L. Carey Tunnel during peak hours. E-ZPass should show up to $3 in credits for cars and more for trucks and buses.
Still, bridge and tunnel tolls from New Jersey are go up In the new year, drivers coming through the Holland Tunnel during peak traffic hours could pay $22 even with credit.
What if I take a taxi or Uber?
Passengers in taxis and rental cars will be charged a per-trip surcharge on the price of their ride to, within, or through so-called congestion relief zones. The fare is 75 cents for people taking taxis, green cabs and black cars, and $1.50 for Uber or Lyft passengers.
Where did this come from?
Congestion pricing has long existed in other cities around the world, including London, Stockholm, Milan, and Singapore, but New York is the first U.S. city to implement it.
it’s been Floated in New York for years. Then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed such a plan in 2007, and the state Legislature approved the initiative in 2019. But it faces opposition and legal challenges from politicians, commuters and commercial drivers.
The idea has environmentalists and public transit advocates, who believe that encouraging people to stop driving and take public transit will reduce air pollution and improve local subway, bus, and commuter rail networks. They claim that it will also lead to payment of fees. Millions of New Yorkers use the subway every day.
The project stalled while awaiting a necessary federal environmental review during President Donald Trump’s administration.
When it finally went into effect at the beginning of this year, the toll was raised to $15, but Hochul, a Democrat, suddenly said: stopped it Weeks before release, they claimed the price was too high.
He proposed an updated plan with lower fees in November, shortly after Trump was re-elected, but Republicans have vowed to scrap the plan after he returns to office on January 20.
