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On June 23rd, the Federal Highway Association gave New York State final approval to implement congestion pricing. A Finding of No Significant Impact was issued following an extensive environmental review process.
Traffic Mobility Review Board
Now it is up to the Traffic Mobility Review Board (TMRB) to create a final fee structure that will include all final discounts, exemptions, and rates ahead of the program's implementation. The TMRB is a six-member panel established by state law that is tasked with developing a recommended toll structure after considering factors such as traffic patterns, traffic mitigation measures, operating costs, public impact, public safety, vehicle types, discounts, peak and off-peak rates, air quality, and emissions trends. Five members of the TMRB were appointed by the MTA and one by the NYC Mayor.
Determining Congestion Pricing Fees and Exemptions
Please note that we do not have a final fee scale yet for congestion pricing, and there will likely be a sliding fee structure based on the time of day vehicles enter the congestion zone, with higher fees during rush hour and lower fees at night. The MTA has proposed multiple fee structures, ranging from $9 to $23 during peak driving hours,$7 to $17 during off-peak driving hours, and $5 to $12 during overnight hours. The tolling scenarios evaluated as part of the environmental review process can be found in Table ES-12 (see pg 54) of the Final Environmental Impact Statement. Since congestion pricing must generate a minimum of $1 billion in annual revenue, the final fees will be lower or higher depending on the number of exemptions allowed by the TMRB. If fewer exemptions are created the overall fees will be lower and vice-versa.
The 2019 state law establishing congestion pricing included broad guidelines on a potential congestion program but left the design, development, and operation of the program up to the MTA’s Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority. The law requires congestion pricing to generate $1 billion annually which will enable the MTA to obtain $15 billion in bond financing for its current capital plan. The law only requires three exemptions: one for emergency vehicles, a second for vehicles transporting people with disabilities, and a third for residents of the congestion pricing zone who earn less than $60,000 per year. The TMRB will decide on any other exemptions or discounts not mandated by state law. The first public meeting of the TMRB took place on July 19th. You can watch a recording of the meeting here. Additional meetings are likely to be scheduled over the coming months.
When Will Congestion Pricing Start?
Once the TMRB recommends a final rate structure and the MTA Board approves it, congestion pricing’s proposed regulations will go through the review process mandated by New York State Administrative Procedure Act. This will include formal notification, the sharing of draft regulations, and a public hearing and comment period. Once this is complete and final regulations have been issued, congestion pricing will go into effect. If a fee structure is adopted on the expected timeline, fee collection could begin as soon as May 2024.
Congestion Pricing Infrastructure Installation
The MTA has begun construction of the tolling infrastructure needed to collect congestion pricing fees. The contractor was given authority to proceed on June 27th, and installation is scheduled to take place from July to late December 2023. A pdf presentation by the MTA detailing the location and design of the tolling infrastructure to be installed is available online here. The upcoming installation schedule can be found here. Construction-related concerns can be emailed directly to the MTA at [email protected] or submitted by phone to their hotline: 877-201-4015.
Why is Congestion Pricing Needed?
Those of us who live and work in Manhattan know very well the negative impacts of traffic congestion on our daily lives – the air pollution, the noise, the risks to pedestrians posed by our overcrowded streets, and the frustration of being stuck on a bus or in a car or taxi moving slower through traffic than pedestrians walking. We also know the benefits of well-funded, reliable, fast public transit. Congestion pricing is a tried and tested approach that will reduce congestion, improve the quality of life of Manhattanites, and provide desperately needed funds to support the subways and buses that the vast majority of New Yorkers rely on every day.
The existential crisis of climate change demands that we urgently lower our vehicle emissions, and congestion pricing is a proven way to do this. In addition, this policy will reduce the high levels of traffic that increase commute times and pose a threat to pedestrian safety. In London, Singapore, and Stockholm, three other world-class class cities where congestion pricing programs have been implemented, we have seen reductions of up to 25% in traffic congestion, up to 20% drops in air pollution, and reduced drive times for those who do continue to use personal vehicles to commute in and out of the respective congestion zones.
Having said this, I understand that many of my constituents have serious concerns about how congestion pricing will impact them and their neighborhoods. I appreciate that it will increase the cost of car ownership for many New York City residents, and may lead to slightly higher fees for those who regularly use ride-hailing services. As a car owner myself, as well as a pedestrian and a user of mass transit, I believe that the positives of this program outweigh any negatives for those of us who live in the overly-congested core of Manhattan. I have submitted testimony and a joint letter to the MTA and TMRB outlining suggestions to make congestion pricing as effective as possible while minimizing the impacts on the most vulnerable.
How to Stay Informed
I will share details on upcoming public meetings and hearings when they are available. In the meantime, I encourage everyone with thoughts and recommendations to submit them to the MTA via this link. You can also sign up for updates from the MTA on this process here. You may also find a New York Times article which provides answers to frequently asked questions about congestions pricing to be helpful.
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