New York City has wanted to see less activity coming into Manhattan during business hours when it implemented its congestion pricing plan — and one week later it already it is seeing the results pay off. A report from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which provides local buses, subway, and railroad services in the area, found that from Monday through Friday last week 273,000 fewer vehicles entered Manhattan below 60 Street.
The city's congestive pricing program was instituted first on Sunday, January 5th after facing months of delays due to Governor Kathy Hochul getting pressure from lawsuits and inflation concerns to postpone the plan.
The goal of the program is to significantly reduce traffic by charging higher rates for tolls during peak hours (5 am to 9 pm on weekdays) for those entering Manhattan at 60 Street or lower. The pricing calls for a $9 fee for passenger and small commercial cars. Should they enter, overnight, meanwhile, the cost is only $2.25. For motorcycles, it costs $4.50 during peak hours or $1.05 outside of them. Trucks and buses need to pay between $14.50 - $21.60, while the tolls sit in the range of just $3.60-$5.40 during off-peak hours.
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"Drivers are saving time traveling in and to Manhattan. Morning commuters benefited the most from free-flowing bridges and tunnels," the MTA wrote in an X post.
"Bus riders' commutes have also improved. Overall, local and express buses are moving faster, especially in the morning commute."
Each year, the MTA estimates that 117 hours are wasted sitting in traffic. The public benefit corporation projects that the congestive pricing program will result in 80,000 fewer vehicles per day entering Manhattan below 60 Street. The local transportation service referred to this zone as "the most congested district in the United States." Also, the MTA noted that less traffic in the city will lead to safer streets, an improved transit experience, and cleaner air.
Interestingly, NYC is reportedly the first in the country to implement a program like this. Other major areas around the world have instituted similar actions such as London, Stockholm, Sweden, and Singapore. It will be interesting to see if other major cities in the U.S. follow NYC's suit.
A global report from transportation analytics firm INRIX shows that Chicago is tied with New York for second in hours lost driving caused by congestion, with 102. Los Angeles ranks eighth on the list with 88 hours lost.
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