To reduce traffic and air pollution in Lower Manhattan and Midtown, the MTA will soon introduce a new toll for drivers below 60th Street, called the Central Business District (CBD) Tolling Program or congestion pricing. Revenue from this new toll will be used by the MTA to fund improvements to the reliability, accessibility, and sustainability of our public transit system. This first-in-the-nation congestion pricing program in the most transit-accessible city in the country is a much-needed effort to cut gridlock and reduce people’s reliance on private cars, but the success of congestion pricing will depend on ensuring that the details of program design and implementation, as well as coordinated and proactive transit investments from the City and State, are thoughtfully deployed.
Here’s what you need to know:
What’s happening right now?
- On November 20, 2023, the Transit Mobility Review Board (TMRB) issued recommendations for base tolls, different prices based on vehicle type, nighttime discounts, and credits for if drivers are entering the CBD from a tolled tunnel, while balancing the need for the program to raise $1 billion per year in transit funds. Access their full report here.
- The Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA) is accepting public comment on the proposed tolls through March 11, 2024. There are many ways to submit comments and the MTA will be reviewing all comments equally regardless of how they are submitted.
- Online: https://contact.mta.info/s/forms/CBDTP
- Email: cbdtp.feedback@mtabt.org
- Mail: CBD Tolling Program, 2 Broadway, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10004
- Phone: 646-252-7440
- Fax: Send to (212) 504-3148 with Attention to CBDTP Team.
- Hybrid Public Hearing dates:
Thursday, Feb. 29, at 6:00 p.m.
Friday, March 1, at 10:00 a.m.
Monday, March 4, at 10:00 a.m.
Monday, March 4, at 6:00 p.m.
Information to register to speak and attend virtually or in person is available here.
What’s next?
- After the completion of the public comment period on March 11, 2024, the TBTA will review all comments and weigh if they will make any changes to the TMRB’s recommendations. They will then issue a final decision before beginning toll collection.
- The MTA has not yet made a final decision about when toll collection will start.
In Summer 2022, Borough President Levine announced a number of priorities to ensure that the tolling program was successful. These included:
Implement All-door Boarding on Buses Citywide
All-door boarding, which generally reduces the time buses spend at stops by 20%, must be in place prior to congestion pricing to ensure we have the best bus system possible to carry additional riders.
Raise the Pedal-assist Citi Bike Cap
DOT should raise the cap (20%) on the number of pedal-assist bikes allowed to comprise the Citi Bike system. E-bikes are an increasingly popular and important transit mode for New Yorkers, particularly those who travel long distances to and from uptown as well as Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens.
Implement Two-way Tolling and Make Tolls Variable
Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach to tolling, capturing both sides of the trip could allow for flexibility to appropriately toll different types and sizes of vehicles, as well as encourage travel during off-peak hours.
Offer Immediate Rebates to Those who are Eligible
In the current plan, individuals who earn under $60,000 will receive a tax credit at the end of the year. Those who qualify should instead receive an immediate rebate so that families who earn the least aren’t forced to wait to get their money back.
DOT Must Produce a 2023 Streets Master Plan Focused on Readying our Streetscapes for Congestion Pricing
Successful implementation of congestion pricing will require a comprehensive transit infrastructure plan. DOT must produce a 2023 streets plan focused on bus, bike, and pedestrian improvements in and around the congestion zone, with particular focus on improvements that will better support and encourage public transit and safety and ensure the success of the congestion pricing program.
Appoint a Manhattanite to the Traffic Mobility Review Board (successful)
Though Manhattanites will be greatly impacted by congestion pricing, there is no requirement for there to be a resident from the area in which this program will be implemented. This is a highly complex program that must be designed with voices from Manhattan at the table.
