The first congestion charge scheme for vehicles in the United States has officially launched in New York City. Car drivers will incur a daily fee of up to $9, with differentiated rates for other vehicle types.
This new congestion zone encompasses areas south of Central Park, featuring prominent landmarks such as the Empire State Building, Times Square, and the financial district surrounding Wall Street.
The initiative is designed to alleviate New York’s chronic traffic concerns and generate billions for the public transport system. However, it has encountered significant pushback, including from influential figures in New York, such as President-elect Donald Trump.
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul initially proposed the congestion charge two years prior, yet implementation was stalled and reworked due to feedback from commuters and businesses. The revised plan resumes an earlier proposal that was paused in June over concerns of unintended consequences.
Under the new system, most drivers will be charged $9 for entering the congestion zone during peak hours, while a reduced charge of $2.25 will apply during off-peak times. Small trucks and non-commuter buses will face a fee of $14.40 during busy hours, whereas larger trucks and tourist buses will be subject to a charge of $21.60.
The new fee structure has prompted substantial opposition, particularly from taxi drivers’ associations. The most notable resistance has come from Trump, who has committed to abolishing the congestion charge upon returning to office. Local Republican officials are urging him to take action against the scheme.
Congressman Mike Lawler, representing a suburban district north of the city, called on Trump in November to pledge to “end this absurd congestion pricing cash grab once and for all.”
In a recent legal development, a judge rejected a last-minute attempt by New Jersey state officials to block the congestion charge, citing concerns about its environmental effects on neighboring regions.
Last year, New York City was ranked as the world’s most congested urban area for the second consecutive year, according to traffic data analysis. Vehicles in downtown Manhattan averaged speeds of just 11 mph during peak morning hours in the first quarter of the previous year, highlighting the urgent need for measures like the congestion charge.
