New York City introduced its controversial congestion pricing toll program on Sunday, which charges most drivers who enter Manhattan between 60th Street and the lower tip of the island.
The New York Times reports E-ZPass readers and cameras are now capturing the license plates to bill motorists driving into the traffic-heavy section of the city. The program, which is designed to raise billions of dollars for infrastructure upkeep and repairs, also seeks to encourage motorists to use mass transit instead of driving through the city.
The toll program is the first of its kind in the nation and charges motorists based on the time of day and vehicles. Drivers of most passenger cars will be charged $9 once per day to enter the congestion zone at peak hours between 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., and $2.25 at other times. Motorcyclists will pay $4.50 during peak hours and $1.05 off-peak, while drivers with smaller commercial trucks and some buses will pay a toll of $14.40 at peak hours and $3.60 at other times. Drivers of larger trucks and tour buses will be charged $21.60 at peak hours and $5.40 off-peak.
Qualified low-income drivers will be able to register for a 50% discount after the first 10 trips in a month, while drivers of passenger vehicles who enter Manhattan through one of the island’s four tunnels that charge tools will receive a credit of up to $3 against the new congestion pricing fee.
Opponents to the program in New Jersey and the New York State counties north of the city have unsuccessfully attempted to stop the program in court. President-elect Donald J. Trump pledged to scuttle the program once he is in office.
