The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will begin charging congestion fees for vehicles entering Manhattan south of 60th Street starting this Sunday, January 5th. This new policy will have a significant impact on drivers residing in outer boroughs, New Jersey, or upstate New York coming into the city, including residents of Manhattan who live within the toll zone, as well as business people who need to frequently travel to Manhattan for work. What preparations should drivers make under this new situation?
Congestion Pricing is a policy signed by the New York State Governor, which mandates that drivers entering the streets of the so-called “Central Business District” south of 60th Street in Manhattan will be charged a fee. However, vehicles using the FDR Drive, West Side Highway, and Battery Park Underpass are exempt from congestion fees as they do not enter local streets.
Fee structure: During peak hours from 5 AM to 9 PM on weekdays and from 9 AM to 9 PM on weekends, vehicles using E-ZPass will be charged $9; off-peak night charges for E-ZPass vehicles are $2.25; private cars and motorcycles are charged once per day.
Vehicles without an E-ZPass face higher fees: $13.50 during peak hours and $3.30 at night.
Commercial vehicle fees vary: small trucks and non-commuter buses are charged $14.40; large trucks and tour buses are charged $21.60; motorcycles with E-ZPass are also required to pay, with a fee of $4.50.
For detailed toll information, visit: https://new.mta.info/crztolls
Congestion Fee Policy Introduction Website: https://congestionreliefzone.mta.info/
The first thing to do is to check if your E-ZPass is valid; the second is to apply for one promptly if you don’t already have an E-ZPass (e-zpassny.com); the third is to see if you qualify for any exemptions (next subheading); and the fourth is to understand the fee structure as mentioned above.
According to E-ZPass regulations, within 60 days before the congestion fee plan is implemented, drivers only need to pay the congestion fee without additional fines, penalties, or other charges.
MTA offers a 50% discount for low-income vehicle owners; residents with a total income below $60,000 living within the toll zone are eligible for tax relief policies; discounts are available for people with disabilities; emergency response vehicles, school buses from the Department of Education, commuter vans from the Taxi and Limousine Commission, buses providing daily commuter services, and special government vehicles are exempted.
For information on applying for the above vehicles, visit: https://tinyurl.com/2dd27e3d
Furthermore, vehicles equipped with E-ZPass passing through the Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, Queens Boro-Midtown Tunnel, and Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel into the congestion fee zone south of 60th Street in Manhattan during peak hours are entitled to partial fee discounts (crossing credits) because they have already paid the tunnel tolls.
Deduction amounts vary by vehicle type: (1) private cars: up to $3; (2) small trucks and buses: up to $7.20; (3) large trucks and tour buses: up to $12; (4) motorcycles: up to $1.50.
It should be noted that the deduction does not apply during the late night to early morning period as night charges are already reduced by 75% compared to peak hours.
Drivers can choose to drive at night, where $2.25 will not significantly impact anyone; alternatively, take public transportation such as buses, subways, trains, or ferries into Manhattan; if driving is necessary, use smartphone apps like Apple Maps, Google Maps, or Waze that often include an option to “avoid tolls.”