NEWYORK: The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has announced the official start date for determination of congestion fees in New York City. The tolling program under the central business district will begin on June 30, 2024.
According to the schedule, drivers will be charged a toll to enter the Manhattan central business district.
The Congestion relief zone includes local streets and avenues in Manhattan south of and including 60 Street, excluding the FDR Drive, West Side Highway/Route 9A, and the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel connections to West Street.
The toll amount will depend on the type of vehicle, time of day, whether any crossing credits apply, and the method of payment. There are also discounts and exemptions that will apply to certain drivers or vehicles entering the congestion relief zone using an E-ZPass New York account.
The toll for passenger and small commercial vehicles (sedans, SUVs, pick-up trucks, and small vans) paying with a valid E-ZPass will be $15 during the peak period and $3.75 during the overnight period, when there is less congestion. The toll for motorcycles will be $7.50 during the peak period and $1.75 during the overnight period. These vehicles will be charged only once per day.
Trucks and buses will pay a toll of $24 and $36 during peak hours and $6 and $9 at night.
Instead of paying the daily toll, taxi and for-hire vehicle passengers will be charged a per-trip toll paid by the passenger for each trip to, from, within, or through the congestion relief zone.
For both the peak and overnight period, the toll for app-based for-hire vehicles will be $2.50 per trip. For taxis, green cabs, and black cars, the toll will be $1.25 per trip.
Qualifying authorized emergency vehicles and qualifying vehicles transporting people with disabilities will be exempt from the congestion relief zone toll.
Specialized government vehicles, school buses contracted with the NYC Department of Education, commuter vans licensed by the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission, and buses providing scheduled commuter services open to the public will also be exempt from the congestion relief zone toll. peak period toll rate will apply from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays,
Residents of the congestion relief zone whose New York State household adjusted gross income is under $60,000 may qualify for a tax credit in the amount of tolls paid.
In the first 60 days of the program, drivers will only be charged the applicable congestion relief zone toll. No additional fees, charges, or fines, such as late fees, will be applied.75% less than the respective rates in the standard peak period for all drivers entering the Congestion Relief Zone.
