A Year After Congestion Pricing, NYC's Toll Foes Have Fallen Silent
A year ago, New York City launched its congestion pricing program, which charges drivers a $9 base fee to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street. The move was met with fierce opposition from commuters and critics who claimed it would hurt working-class New Yorkers and slow down traffic. Fast forward a year, and the controversy has largely dissipated.
Commuters are breathing a sigh of relief as congestion in the city has decreased, while air pollution has improved. The number of vehicles entering the congested zone has plummeted by 10%, with 2 million fewer cars entering Manhattan's busiest areas each month. Bus speeds have also increased, with some routes moving up to 25% faster during peak hours.
Experts point to other cities like Stockholm and London as examples of how congestion pricing can be effective in reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality. The Swedish city's congestion pricing program was initially met with skepticism, but after a successful referendum, voters approved the tolls and saw improvements in traffic flow and air pollution.
"It's what we expected more or less," said Jonas Eliasson, a transportation official from Stockholm who oversaw the launch of his city's congestion pricing program. "The benefits are clear, and people have started to see them."
However, not everyone is convinced that congestion pricing has had a positive impact on traffic. Some drivers claim that while the tolls may be more efficient, they're also causing gridlock in other areas of Manhattan.
"I don't see much of a difference at all," said Tre Ortiz, a 55-year-old driver from Bayonne who transports furniture and art. "It's still gridlock, and I don't see too much of a difference. The only difference is the bill."
Newark driver Michael Hagag agrees that traffic has worsened in some areas, but notes that he initially saw improvements after congestion pricing launched.
"Now it's more congested, so maybe they're gonna raise the price again for $15 instead of $9? I don't think it helped at all," he said. "Traffic is a nightmare. The same waste of money."
Governor Kathy Hochul has celebrated the tolls as a political win, despite some criticism from lawmakers and drivers.
The city's congestion pricing program is not without its challenges, however. Critics point to London's example, where congestion pricing was introduced in 2003 but sparked protests and riots among older car owners who felt disenfranchised by the policy.
"Individuals who feel disenfranchised by the policy... have been quite vocal in their opposition towards it," said Craig Morton, a transport planning lecturer at Loughborough University. "It's actually sparked quite a lot of militant action."
As NYC continues to navigate its congestion pricing program, experts recommend looking to Singapore for inspiration on how to manage the system effectively.
"The model is really Singapore in terms of how to manage the system and to track it very closely... Doing that in New York will be interlaced with gubernatorial election cycles so I wouldn't expect anything in the next 11 months," said Bruce Schaller, a transportation analyst.
While the controversy surrounding congestion pricing may have died down for now, other US cities could still face their own cycle of outrage and protests as they consider launching similar programs.
A year ago, New York City launched its congestion pricing program, which charges drivers a $9 base fee to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street. The move was met with fierce opposition from commuters and critics who claimed it would hurt working-class New Yorkers and slow down traffic. Fast forward a year, and the controversy has largely dissipated.
Commuters are breathing a sigh of relief as congestion in the city has decreased, while air pollution has improved. The number of vehicles entering the congested zone has plummeted by 10%, with 2 million fewer cars entering Manhattan's busiest areas each month. Bus speeds have also increased, with some routes moving up to 25% faster during peak hours.
Experts point to other cities like Stockholm and London as examples of how congestion pricing can be effective in reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality. The Swedish city's congestion pricing program was initially met with skepticism, but after a successful referendum, voters approved the tolls and saw improvements in traffic flow and air pollution.
"It's what we expected more or less," said Jonas Eliasson, a transportation official from Stockholm who oversaw the launch of his city's congestion pricing program. "The benefits are clear, and people have started to see them."
However, not everyone is convinced that congestion pricing has had a positive impact on traffic. Some drivers claim that while the tolls may be more efficient, they're also causing gridlock in other areas of Manhattan.
"I don't see much of a difference at all," said Tre Ortiz, a 55-year-old driver from Bayonne who transports furniture and art. "It's still gridlock, and I don't see too much of a difference. The only difference is the bill."
Newark driver Michael Hagag agrees that traffic has worsened in some areas, but notes that he initially saw improvements after congestion pricing launched.
"Now it's more congested, so maybe they're gonna raise the price again for $15 instead of $9? I don't think it helped at all," he said. "Traffic is a nightmare. The same waste of money."
Governor Kathy Hochul has celebrated the tolls as a political win, despite some criticism from lawmakers and drivers.
The city's congestion pricing program is not without its challenges, however. Critics point to London's example, where congestion pricing was introduced in 2003 but sparked protests and riots among older car owners who felt disenfranchised by the policy.
"Individuals who feel disenfranchised by the policy... have been quite vocal in their opposition towards it," said Craig Morton, a transport planning lecturer at Loughborough University. "It's actually sparked quite a lot of militant action."
As NYC continues to navigate its congestion pricing program, experts recommend looking to Singapore for inspiration on how to manage the system effectively.
"The model is really Singapore in terms of how to manage the system and to track it very closely... Doing that in New York will be interlaced with gubernatorial election cycles so I wouldn't expect anything in the next 11 months," said Bruce Schaller, a transportation analyst.
While the controversy surrounding congestion pricing may have died down for now, other US cities could still face their own cycle of outrage and protests as they consider launching similar programs.
. NYC launched the program a year ago and people were all like "it's gonna kill us" or whatever, but now it seems like everything is running smoothly 
. The number of cars entering Manhattan has dropped by 10% and air pollution has improved, so I guess it works? 
Some people are still complaining that it's causing gridlock in other areas, but like, isn't that just part of the deal when you're driving in a crowded city? 
.
! I mean, 10% less vehicles entering Manhattan's busiest areas each month is no joke 
. And the air pollution? 
Much improved. Bus speeds have even increased by up to 25% - that's some serious gridlock relief 
.
. Stockholm and London, they get it 
. Congestion Pricing can make a real difference in reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality.
. Some drivers are saying it's caused gridlock in other areas... but that's just part of the price we pay for progress 
. And let's be real, it's not like the city's gonna raise prices to $15 anytime soon 
, but experts are saying NYC needs to learn from Singapore (and other cities) on how to manage this system effectively 
. So, let's keep an eye on that and see how it all plays out 
.
meanwhile, I feel for drivers who get caught in the middle & have to deal with more congested roads on the outside areas of manhattan. can we pls just get a smooth commute 2 work already 
Congestion pricing is kinda like that new fitness trend everyone's been going on about... it sounds good in theory but once you actually try it, it's all about how the real benefits play out 
I'm still not sold on whether NYC's tolls are worth the decrease in traffic congestion. Some people claim they've seen improvements while others say it just caused gridlock elsewhere 
What really matters is the long-term impact and whether the benefits outweigh the costs 
. Like, Tre Ortiz just said he doesn’t see a difference in traffic flow and is worried about the prices going up again 
.
I mean, fewer cars entering Manhattan's busiest areas = less air pollution & traffic jams. But some people are saying it's just shifted the problem to other areas, which is fair. The issue of how to manage these systems is still a bit of a mess, but I think Singapore's approach might be a good model 
i think experts are on the right track looking to cities like stockholm & singapore for inspiration 
. dont get me wrong, i'm all for cleaner air and less traffic, but if it means gridlock elsewhere i'm outta here 
. whats wrong with just havin more buses or trains on the regular tho? would save ppl time and money not to mention fewer cars in the city 
. Air pollution's improved, yay for the environment! 
The Swedish city of Stockholm used congestion pricing successfully too 
. They saw improvements in traffic flow & air quality after a successful referendum 
. 2 million fewer cars entering Manhattan each month is no joke 
. Experts say NYC's program's effective but need to fine-tune the system 
. Some drivers are still grumpy tho 
. Statistics: 
10% decrease in traffic volume
)
.
.