Traffic Mobility Review Board Drafts Toll Proposal to Fund MTA Capital Projects
Drivers entering lower Manhattan may soon face a $15 toll under the state’s congestion pricing plan, according to a toll proposal prepared by the Traffic Mobility Review Board (TMRB). The plan aims to raise $1 billion per year to partially fund the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) capital projects budget. While transit and commuter buses will be exempt from the toll, small trucks, big rigs, and motorcycles will face varying fees. The proposal is currently under review and is expected to be voted on by the MTA’s board in the coming days.
Toll Rates and Discounts for Different Vehicle Types
The TMRB’s toll proposal suggests a $15 toll for light vehicles, including cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks, entering Manhattan at 60th St. or points south during daytime hours. Small trucks, such as delivery box-trucks, will be charged $24, while big rigs will face a $36 fee. Motorcycles, on the other hand, will be charged $7.50.
To incentivize off-peak travel, a 75% discount will be applied between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. on weekdays, and between 9 p.m. and 5 p.m. on weekends, reducing the toll for cars to $3.75 during these hours. Additionally, cars entering the congestion zone through normally-tolled tunnels will receive a $5 credit against the congestion toll, while motorcycles will receive a $2.50 credit. Small trucks and intercity buses using the tunnels will get a $12 toll credit, with large trucks and tour buses receiving a $20 toll credit. However, no tunnel-crossing discounts will be given during nighttime hours, when the toll is already reduced by 75%.
Implications for Taxi and Rideshare Services
Taxi drivers, who had lobbied for a full exemption from the toll, will now have to pass a $1.25 surcharge onto their passengers for entering the congestion zone. Similarly, passengers of ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft can expect to be charged an additional $2.50 for every trip in the zone. The TMRB justifies this decision by stating that it is the passengers, not the drivers, who choose to contribute to vehicle congestion in the central business district.
Consideration for Low-Income Drivers
In an effort to accommodate the financial needs of low-income workers who have no choice but to drive to work, the TMRB proposes a 50% discount off the toll for low-income drivers who have made more than 10 trips in a month. This is an increase from the previously committed 25% discount.
Conclusion: The proposed congestion pricing plan in lower Manhattan aims to alleviate traffic congestion and raise funds for the MTA’s capital projects. While drivers of light vehicles will face a $15 toll, other vehicle types will have varying fees. The plan includes discounts for off-peak travel and tunnel-crossing credits. Taxi drivers and ride-hailing services will pass on the toll to passengers, while low-income drivers may qualify for a 50% discount. The final plan is expected to be voted on by the MTA’s board in the coming days, with implementation targeted for May.
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