NEW YORK—After a public hearing, the board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has voted 12–1 to approve New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision last week to implement congestion pricing, with $9 tolls instead of the $15 originally envisioned, beginning in January 2025.
Starting on Jan. 5, commuters who drive into Manhattan below 60th Street will pay a $9 toll. This rate will be in effect through 2027, after which the fare will increase to $12 through the end of 2030.
Beginning in 2031, the toll will be $15—the amount congestion pricing advocates originally wanted to charge as soon as the policy went into effect.
The toll will drop to $2.25 at night (9 p.m.–5 a.m. on weekdays and 9 p.m.–9 a.m. on weekends). The governor has also promised discounts for commuters who earn under $50,000 per year after their 10th trip in a month….