Congestion Toll Takes Effect in NYC

Congestion pricing is making a comeback in New York City after Gov. Kathy Hochul announced plans to restart the controversial program.

New York City’s Congestion Pricing Program starts Sunday, January 5, 2025. Vehicles will pay fees to enter Manhattan streets below 60th Street, whether you’re coming from a tunnel, bridge, or local streets.

While this initiative aims to reduce traffic and improve air quality, drivers entering Manhattan have a cost-effective way to avoid these fees: by taking the Brooklyn Bridge to the FDR Drive and continuing uptown. This route should be helpful for businesses from 61st Street to Harlem and from Harlem to Brooklyn.

Under the updated plan, daily commuters would be charged $9 to enter Manhattan’s Congestion Relief Zone during peak hours. That’s down from the original rate of $15.

For most drivers, it will cost $9 to enter Manhattan’s Congestion Relief Zone during peak daytime hours. The peak hours are from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.

During off-peak hours, tolls will be reduced by 75%. So a $9 ride becomes $2.25.

Other Vehicles
Motorcycles: $4.50 during peak daytime hours
Small trucks and non-commuter buses: $14.50 during peak daytime hours
Large trucks and sightseeing buses: $21.60 during peak daytime hours
Taxis and black cars: $0.75 per trip
App-based for-hire vehicles: $1.50 per trip
While most vehicles are only charged once a day, taxis and rideshares will be charged 75 cents or $1.50 per trip, respectively. The daily tolling period starts at midnight and ends at 11:59 p.m.

The Free Route: Brooklyn Bridge to FDR Drive
Drivers traveling from Brooklyn can bypass the Congestion Relief Zone entirely by following a specific route:

1.Take the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan.

2.Enter the northbound FDR Drive immediately upon crossing.

3.Continue on the FDR Drive beyond 60th Street.

NOTE: As long as you stay on the FDR Drive and do not exit onto local streets below 61st Street, you will not incur the congestion fee. Keep in mind that you will incur fees if you get off the FDR at 61st St and then drive back downtown, through local streets, below 60th St.

Why This Route is Free

The Congestion Relief Zone toll applies only to vehicles entering local Manhattan streets below 60th Street. Through-traffic routes, such as the FDR Drive, are exempt. The exemption ensures that vehicles traveling through Manhattan without stopping are not penalized.

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