NYC Congestion Pricing: Everything You Should Know

The long-awaited New York City congestion pricing plan is on the horizon, and it’s time to get prepped. This blog breaks down everything you need to know about the upcoming tolls so you can navigate them smoothly.

What is Congestion Pricing?

Congestion pricing is a fee imposed on vehicles entering a designated zone during peak hours. The goal? To reduce the amount of traffic congestion on Manhattan streets that suffer the most, starting from 60th Street down to the southern tip of Manhattan. This area is considered a “Central Business District” (CBD), which is a condensed space in a city or town where businesses operate. This means fewer vehicles, less gridlock, cleaner air, improved quality of life, and a smoother ride for everyone.

How Will It Work?

For those with an E-ZPass, the congestion pricing fee will be automatically deducted.  Vehicles without an E-Z pass will receive a bill by mail to the address registered to your vehicle.

The tolls apply to the FDR Drive, West Side Highway, or the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel that connects to West Street. However, exiting from these onto a regular Manhattan street below 60th Street will trigger the congestion pricing toll. Tolling equipment will be set up on Broadway between 60th and 61st Streets.

When Does it Start?

At the time of this writing, congestion pricing is scheduled to start on June 30th, 2024.

How Does it Affect Drivers? 

This depends on your vehicle type:

• Passenger vehicles: There is a $15 toll if you enter the central business district (CBD) during peak hours (weekdays 5 AM – 9 PM, weekends 9 AM – 9 PM) and you’re driving solo.
• Ridesharing (Uber, Lyft, etc.): You won’t pay the toll directly, but a $2.50 surcharge will be automatically added to your passenger’s fare during peak hours and within the CBD.
• Taxis: Similar to rideshare, there’s no direct toll for taxis, but a $1.25 surcharge will be added per ride during peak hours and within the CBD.
• Small trucks (box trucks, moving vans, etc.): $24 during peak hours/CBD.
• Large trucks: $36 during peak hours/CBD.
• Motorcycles: $7.50 during peak hours/CBD.

Congestion Pricing Schedule

Congestion pricing operates on a schedule, with tolls only being applied during specific times:

• Peak Hours: This is when traffic congestion is typically at its worst, and tolls will be in effect. In NYC, peak hours are:
  • Weekdays: 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM
  • Weekends: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM

During these times, you’ll be subject to the congestion pricing surcharges if you’re operating within the designated zones (Manhattan CBD or Brooklyn/Queensboro Bridges with a solo driver traveling to Manhattan).

• Off Hours: Off hours are your golden window to avoid tolls! Here’s when you can breathe easy:
  • Weekdays: Before 5:00 AM and after 9:00 PM
  • Weekends: Before 9:00 AM and after 9:00 PM.

If you operate outside these peak hours or in areas outside the congestion zones, you won’t be charged any additional surcharges.

How Will it Affect Bridge Tolls?

The rules for the East River bridges (Brooklyn and Queensboro) differ slightly. Here’s the breakdown:

• • Manhattan to Brooklyn or Queens:
    • Off-peak hours: No tolls for any vehicle type.
    • Peak hours: No tolls for rideshare, taxis, or vehicles with one or more passengers. Solo drivers pay the standard tolls mentioned above.

• • Brooklyn or Queens to Manhattan:
    • Off-peak hours: No tolls for any vehicle type.
    • Peak hours: All vehicles pay a base toll regardless of passengers:
      • Rideshare/Taxis: $2.50 (Once the pricing is implemented, rideshare drivers can apply for a discount program to reduce this to $1 with passengers).
      • Other vehicles: Standard tolls as mentioned above.

When congestion pricing is implemented, rideshare drivers entering Manhattan’s central business district will have an extra $2.50 surcharge added to their fare, which will be paid by the passenger. If you are traveling with a passenger via bridge from Manhattan to Brooklyn, there will be no toll. If you are traveling via bridge from Brooklyn or Queens to Manhattan (regardless of passengers) there will be a $2.50 base toll.