Congestion pricing starts Jan. 5 in New York City. Here's what to know about the new timeline.
NEW YORK -- Congestion pricing started on Jan. 5 in New York City, following a judge's ruling in New Jersey.
Judge Leo Gordon's clarified his decision on New Jersey's lawsuit to stop the plan, after which both sides declared victory. Gordon said in his initial ruling, he never stated congestion pricing couldn't move forward, but he did tell the federal government and the MTA to come up with mitigation factors.
Here's everything to know about the updated timeline and what has to happen next.
When did NYC congestion pricing start?
The plan started at midnight Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.
All this comes after New York Gov. Hochul unveiled her plan to restart the program, which she paused just weeks before the initial rollout back in June.
Get up to speed on congestion pricing
The plan charges most drivers $9 to enter Manhattan's Congestion Relief Zone during peak hours, which are from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays. Tolls will be 75% lower during off-peak hours to encourage overnight deliveries.
The Congestion Relief Zone covers 60th Street and below, encompassing the Lincoln, Holland, Hugh L. Carey and Queens Midtown tunnels, and the Queensboro, Williamsburg, Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges.
Some exemptions have been carved out for emergency and government vehicles, school and commuter buses, low-income drivers and those with medical conditions that prevent them from taking mass transit. Car owners who make less than $50,000 a year will be eligible for a 50% discount that kicks in after their 10th toll of a month.
According to Hochul's office, the daytime E-ZPass toll would cost $9 for the next two years. Starting in 2028, the MTA could then raise it up to $12.
Why is congestion pricing in effect now?
Hochul suddenly paused congestion pricing in June, saying the initial $15 toll was too high. In November, she said she was in talks with federal partners about re-launching the program at a reduced rate.
Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump has said he would kill congestion pricing, and New York Rep. Mike Lawler pledged to put forward a bill that would deny the MTA any federal funds while the program is in effect.
With the Republicans taking control of the White House, U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, New York had to act in order to get the plan off the ground.
