Congestion pricing, an investment in public transit, in New York City benefits all New Yorkers, including drivers.
Less traffic on the roads leads to safer and smoother commutes. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority needs all the funding it can get, as it moves far more people daily than private vehicles do. The government, both at the state and local level, should support congestion pricing because it benefits all New Yorkers.
The Trump administration has moved to revoke federal approval for NYC’s congestion pricing program. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressed concerns about burdening working-class motorists and the program’s focus on funding public transit rather than roads.
The program charges passenger and small commercial vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th St. a $9 toll from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends, then $2.25 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays and 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. on weekends.
President Donald Trump posted a picture of himself wearing a royal crown on the official White House Instagram account with the caption, “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!”
Gov. Kathy Hochul responded in a written statement, “We are a nation of laws, not ruled by a king. We’ll see you in court.” Hochul and the MTA have announced they will fight the decision in court, arguing that congestion pricing has already reduced traffic and improved air quality in NYC.
The MTA stated that “everyone benefits from congestion relief.” The Congestion Relief Zone reduces traffic, leading to faster trips for drivers and less gas spent.
Less cars on the streets means faster bus trips for public transit riders. Congestion pricing brings in $15 billion to fund and improve public transport to ensure safer and more reliable commutes for all New Yorkers.
Roads and highways alone cannot sustain NYC’s transportation needs. Almost half of NYC residents work outside of their home boroughs and rely on the MTA to commute to and from work. The MTA is the largest public transportation agency in the country, with 472 subway stations and 238 local bus routes. Approximately 3.6 million people ride the subway daily and 1.4 million ride the buses.
By funding the MTA, more New Yorkers will choose public transportation rather than driving. With fewer vehicles on the streets, pedestrians and cyclists are safer to commute and emergency vehicles such as ambulances can get to their destinations quicker, leading to an overall safer city.
New Yorkers look forward to a calmer city with less frequent honking in their neighborhoods.
In an exclusive interview with The Ticker, Harlem resident Sydney R. said, “I have a car. I drive to work downtown every day and I am still in favor of congestion pricing.” Sydney claimed that ideally, these tolls would help reduce subway fares and ultimately make the subway free, at least for New York residents.
If the Trump administration does not allow for NYC congestion pricing to be followed, New Yorkers are at a great loss.
