New York City’s congestion pricing program has shown promise after its first week of operation, with an average of 43,000 fewer drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street each weekday. The tolls, which went live over a week ago, have led to a 7.5% reduction in traffic compared to projections based on previous years. Traffic times on major crossings like the Williamsburg Bridge and Holland Tunnel have decreased by 30-40%, while bus speeds have increased by up to 28%. Ridership on some express buses has also seen higher-than-average growth.
The MTA’s initial revenue from tolls is estimated at $500 million annually, with plans to use this funding for new train cars, elevator installations, and other transit infrastructure improvements. Transit advocates are hailing the program’s success, citing the significant time savings for drivers and commuters. However, Congressional Republicans have vowed to kill the tolls, citing concerns about job losses and decreased home values.
Despite these challenges, MTA officials acknowledge that traffic patterns can change over time, particularly with only eight days of data under their belt. As Juliette Michaelson, the MTA’s deputy chief, noted, “It has been a very good week here in New York,” but cautioned that the program’s success is still being written.
Source: https://gothamist.com/news/43k-fewer-drivers-on-manhattan-roads-after-congestion-pricing-turned-on-mta-says