NYC Congestion Pricing: Still Working

10 million fewer vehicles entered the congestion pricing zone in the first six months of the program than last year, while pedestrian fatalities are at ‘historic lows.’

1 minute read

July 7, 2025, 6:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Traffic jam on 5th Avenue in Manhattan, New York City with One World Trade Center tower under construction visible in background.

A traffic jam on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. | Gabriele Maltinti / Adobe Stock

Six months in, New York City’s congestion pricing program — which President Trump has vowed to kill — continues to demonstrate that it works.

As Atlan Hassard explains for New York 1, a report from the governor’s office reveals that the number of cars entering the pricing zone is down by 11 percent. That translates to 10 million fewer vehicles entering the zone compared to the same time frame last year.

“Traffic delays are down in the zone by 25% and across the metropolitan region by 9%, according to data from the Regional Plan Association and Waze cited in the governor's office report.” Crashes are down by 14 percent, and pedestrian fatalities are at “historic lows.”

Despite fears that the toll would hurt businesses, “pedestrian activity inside the zone was up 8.4% in May, compared with the same period last year, while outside the zone only saw an increase of 2.7%.”

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