MTA: Manhattan traffic dropped 7.5% in first week of congestion pricing

NEW YORK - New York City’s newly implemented congestion pricing program has brought modest traffic reductions in its first week, according to preliminary data released by the MTA.

By the numbers:

Congestion pricing began on Sunday, January 5, charging $9 for most passenger cars entering Manhattan below Central Park during peak hours. Early data from the MTA shows a 7.5% decrease in daily traffic, or roughly 43,000 fewer cars compared to the same period last year. 

Officials compared the numbers from October 2024, when roughly 642,000 vehicles drove daily into the congestion pricing zone south of 60th Street, and last week, when just 539,000 entered the zone. 

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The first workweek of congestion pricing in New York City is wrapping up, with both drivers and pedestrians adjusting to the new $9 toll.

The effect in New York has been most pronounced during the morning rush hour period, with travel times over certain crossings — including the typically traffic-choked Holland and Lincoln tunnels that run under the Hudson River from New Jersey — falling by 40% or more.

Despite anecdotal reports of crowded train cars, the MTA has not seen a significant increase in subway ridership due to the high baseline of over 3 million daily riders. However, certain bus routes from Brooklyn and Staten Island have experienced a slight uptick in usage.

The backstory:

Congestion pricing was first proposed decades ago and modeled after similar programs in cities like London, Singapore, and Stockholm. It aims to ease traffic and raise revenue for the MTA. However, the program faced delays, including a pause last year by Governor Kathy Hochul, who lowered the fee from $15 to $9 after discussions with residents and business owners.

What they're saying:

Juliette Michaelson, the MTA’s deputy chief of policy and external relations, said the results are already noticeable: "Just look out the window: there is less traffic, quieter streets, and we think everyone has seen it."

Others, like traffic analyst Bob Pishue from INRIX, remain cautious. 

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The landmark initiative, which began on Sunday, is designed to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and raise funds for much-needed public transit upgrades.

"Fewer people are coming into Manhattan, but we’re not seeing a significant impact on speeds within the zone yet," he said, cautioning against drawing broad conclusions after barely a week, noting that many drivers were likely taking a "wait and see" approach.

Tarek Soliman, the owner of Comfort Diner in midtown Manhattan, said he had spoken directly with the governor about his fears of losing New Jersey customers. While he said it was too early to tell if the program had hurt business, the new fee was already having at least one impact on him.

"Every weekend, I used to drive to the garage next to the diner," Soliman, a resident of Astoria, Queens, said by phone Monday. "Now I don’t drive. I take the subway."

What's next:

The MTA plans to monitor and analyze traffic patterns over the coming months to gauge the program’s long-term effectiveness.

However, the program's future is in question after a group of Republican lawmakers from New York met with President-elect Donald Trump and believe that he will help them get rid of congestion pricing.