Summary of original article appearing in Fast Company:
New York City’s congestion pricing program has been running for a month now, and transit officials say the results are “undeniably positive.” The idea behind it is simple: charge drivers a toll to enter the busiest parts of Manhattan and, in turn, reduce traffic, encourage public transit use, and generate money for much-needed transit upgrades.
Here’s how it works: If you’re driving into Manhattan below 60th Street during peak hours, you pay $9 with an E-ZPass (or more if you’re a commercial vehicle or don’t have E-ZPass). Overnight, it’s cheaper at $2.25. The goal is to ease congestion and raise $15 billion for the MTA.
So far, the impact is noticeable. One million fewer vehicles have entered the congestion zone than expected, making travel times much faster. For example, trips through the Holland Tunnel during morning rush hour are now 48% quicker, and the Williamsburg and Queensboro Bridges are seeing 30% faster travel times.
Public transit is benefitting, too. More people are taking the subway (weekday ridership is up 7.3%), and buses are moving faster with fewer delays. Express bus riders from outer boroughs like Brooklyn and Staten Island are saving up to 10 minutes per trip.
It’s not all perfect—some neighborhoods outside the zone, like the South Bronx, worry about increased traffic and pollution. And politically, there’s uncertainty, with former President Trump considering shutting the program down.
But for now, many commuters are seeing real benefits. One guy on the radio even called in to say his wife gets home earlier every night thanks to faster buses. If trends continue, congestion pricing could stick around—just like it has in cities like London and Stockholm.
