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First week of NYC congestion pricing
The first workweek of congestion pricing in New York City is wrapping up, with both drivers and pedestrians adjusting to the new $9 toll and its effects.
NEW YORK - The first full workweek of congestion pricing is drawing to a close, and drivers, commuters, and pedestrians are adjusting to this new normal.
With an average toll of $9 for drivers entering the city's business district, the initiative is already making waves whether your foot is on the pedal or on the pavement.
Congestion pricing's impact on the roads
What we know:
Congestion pricing aims to reduce traffic by imposing tolls on vehicles entering Manhattan’s business district. So far, early observations indicate some success in decreasing congestion. Pedestrians say they have noted lighter traffic, particularly on streets like 2nd Avenue and East 60th Street, near the congestion zone boundary.
According to the MTA, weekday subway ridership has climbed, with 3.8 million riders recorded on Wednesday—up more than 7.8% compared to the same day last year. Bus ridership also saw a 4% increase year-over-year.
The Moshes brothers, creators of "Congestion Pricing Tracker," are attempting to analyze the changes in traffic times. For example, the Lincoln Tunnel now reports average crossing times of just 3–4 minutes, compared to 10 minutes before the tolls. Similarly, the Queensboro Bridge is experiencing historically fast crossing times.
Will changes last?
What we don't know:
While the congestion zone itself appears to have lighter traffic, some commuters are questioning whether the traffic has simply shifted to surrounding areas.
Data from the Moshes brothers suggests that routes going through the congestion zone haven’t seen substantial changes in traffic flow.
What's next:
The congestion pricing initiative is still in its early stages, and more data will be needed to evaluate its long-term impact. While the toll has repelled some drivers, questions remain about whether the changes are sustainable or if additional measures will be required.
It's also runclearif public transit saw increased ridership on other systems like NJ Transit, LIRR or PATH trains.