Congestion pricing takes effect

The MTA’s congestion pricing plan, which has been criticized by commuters and politicians on both sides of the aisle, began on Sunday January 5.  Drivers entering lower Manhattan south of 60th Street now must pay a $9 tax to enter daily. New York’s E-ZPass system, through which the state electronically bills commuters traveling on toll roads and bridges, briefly went offline on Monday in response to the new influx of tolls.

 Though the toll remains in effect, legislators representing the upper Hudson Valley remain adamant in their calls to reverse Hochul’s decision.  Congressman Mike Lawler (R, NY-17), a frequent critic of the plan, called congestion pricing a “cash grab” and a “regressive tax.”

“Shame on (Governor) Kathy (Hochul), shame on (MTA CEO) Lieber and the MTA, and shame on the Democrats in the Albany Legislature who signed off on this crap,” Lawler said.

“Congestion pricing is a blatant attempt to improve the MTA’s finances on the backs of Hudson Valley residents without restoring or expanding service,” added Senator Rob Rolison (R, Poughkeepsie).

Hochul announced in June that the congestion pricing plan was “paused,” before reviving it again about a week after November’s elections. The state of New Jersey attempted to challenge the MTA’s congesting pricing plan, but a request for a temporary restraining order was denied by a federal judge on Friday. New Jersey plans on appealing the ruling.

During peak hours, E-ZPass drivers will pay $9 or $13.50 by mail. Peak hours run from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. Off-peak fees will cost E-ZPass drivers $2.25 or $3.30 via mail.

The toll is expected to raise about $500 million annually for the MTA, which will be utilized to help pay for infrastructure improvements and other capital upgrades and reduce traffic and pollution in the city.