Manhattan Congestion Pricing Could Start in 2023

According to an article by Stephen Nessen in Gothamist, New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has completed its response to over 400 questions sent to the agency by the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) regarding the environmental impact of the city’s proposed congestion pricing scheme, a key step in moving forward with implementation of the program. The program would enact cordon pricing (a fee charged for entering a specific area) south of 60th Street in Manhattan.

“Once the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approves the MTA’s environmental assessment the MTA still has a long way to go. It must conduct more public outreach, install devices to collect the tolls, and set a price that will ultimately raise $1 billion a year in revenue.” As Nessen points out, the program was initially scheduled to begin collecting revenue in 2021, but the MTA now expects. However, “Because congestion pricing was first delayed by the Trump administration, and then by the pandemic, and finally by the recent round of federal questions, the 2020-2024 capital plan will be in its last year by the time congestion pricing is actually generating revenue.”

A June 2022 poll found that 42 percent of New Yorkers intend to drive less, and 64 percent would make the switch to public transit, if congestion pricing took effect. The program would exempt New Yorkers who live in the congestion zone and earn less than $60,000 per year.