Congestion pricing plan tolls will increase gradually through 2031

November 18, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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CITYWIDE — WHILE THE STARTING TOLL CHARGE from the revived congestion pricing plan has been capped at $9 when the program begins in January, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) plans to increase the amount to $15 in 2031, documents from the transit agency and Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office, according to a report in Gothamist. When Hochul announced the $9 cap last week, which was lower than originally announced before she paused the entire plan in June, she acknowledged that tolls would eventually increase. The initial toll structure for entering New York City’s Central Business District (Manhattan below 60th Street), which will reflect a 40% reduction and which begins at midnight on Sunday, Jan. 5, would charge $9 a once-daily daytime E-ZPass fee for passenger vehicles. Under Hochul’s plan, the MTA will not raise the initial tolls beyond the following percentages of the approved structure: 60% (i.e. a $9 toll) from 2025 through 2027 and from 2028-2030, at 80% (i.e. a $12 toll). The MTA’s board was scheduled to convene on Monday, Nov. 18, to vote on the plan.

The phase-in strategy will help drivers adapt more easily to the congestion tolling program at the same time that it enables the MTA and stakeholders to monitor data during this period. The MTA board has stated that the toll increases will be necessary in order to underwrite $15 billion worth of state-law mandated MTA repairs and upgrades.

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