New York City begins to charge congestion fee

After more than a decade of planning, drivers pay to enter downtown and midtown Manhattan in New York City, making it the first place in the United States with congestion pricing. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York announced on January 5 that the first day of enforcement of the congestion pricing plan was underway. Vehicles will be charged if they enter the designated congestion mitigation zone south of 60th Street on Manhattan Island.

Under the plan, drivers only pay once per day to enter the congestion mitigation zone, allowing them to enter and exit the zone multiple times throughout the day. Charges to enter the zone will vary depending on the time of entry, the type of vehicle, and the method of paying the congestion charge. The relatively low charge for taxis and ride-hailing vehicles that enter, leave, pass through, or operate within the congestion mitigation zone will be paid by the passengers.