Driving into Manhattan? That'll cost you, as new congestion toll starts Sunday
CTV
New York’s new toll for drivers entering the center of Manhattan debuted Sunday, meaning many people will pay US$9 to access its busiest part in peak hours.
New York’s new toll for drivers entering the center of Manhattan debuted Sunday, meaning many people will pay US$9 to access the busiest part of the Big Apple during peak hours.
The toll, known as congestion pricing, is meant to reduce traffic gridlock in the densely packed city while also raising money to help fix its ailing public transit infrastructure.
Drivers of most passenger cars will pay US$9 to enter Manhattan south of Central Park on weekdays between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. and on weekends between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. During off hours, the toll will be US$2.25 for most vehicles.
After years of studies, delays and a last-ditch bid by New Jersey to halt the toll, the program launched without major hiccups early Sunday. But transit officials cautioned the first-in-the-nation scheme could require adjustments — and likely would not get its first true test until the workweek.
“This is a toll system that has never been tried before in terms of complexity,” Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said at a press conference held at Grand Central Terminal Sunday. “We don’t expect New Yorkers to overnight change their behavior. Everybody’s going to have to adjust to this.”
The fee — which varies for motorcyclists, truck drivers and ride-share apps — will be collected by electronic toll collection systems at over 100 detection sites now scattered across the lower half of Manhattan.
It comes on top of tolls drivers pay for crossing various bridges and tunnels to get to the city in the first place, although there will be a credit of up to US$3 for those who have already paid to enter Manhattan via certain tunnels during peak hours.
