New York City’s new congestion pricing has been in effect for more than 24 hours now, and transportation officials there say that so far, the system has seen no speed bumps. The head of New York’s Metropolitan Authority said as of now, it doesn’t look like any changes will be needed, but he also cautioned the system is complicated and it’s too soon to be sure.
The tolling program, which is the first of its kind in the nation, is meant to alleviate the traffic gridlock for drivers heading into the densely packed Manhattan area. It’s also designed to raise money for the MTA’s capital plan. The funds will go to some much-needed public transit improvements.
It comes at a time when distrust and safety concerns mire the system. In just the last few weeks, a man lit a woman on fire on a subway train, killing her, and in a separate incident, a man suffered a head injury after being pushed onto the tracks.
As congestion pricing is expected to get more people using the subway, there’s renewed talks to add more safety measures, like platform barriers. Many who work in Manhattan have also expressed frustration about infrequent train services on nights and weekends.
Right now, the toll is $9, but it’ll go up to $12 by 2028, then $15 by 2031. The new plan is set to generate about $500 million per year during its first three years, $700 million when fees go up to $12, and close to $1 billion when the toll rises to $15.
New Jersey’s request for a temporary restraining order on the new toll system was denied by a federal judge on Friday, Jan. 3, but New Jersey’s governor has vowed to appeal that ruling.
President-elect Donald Trump, a native New Yorker, has also spoken out against the toll, promising to get rid of it once he’s back in office. His inauguration is set for Jan. 20.
