New York City to Implement Congestion Pricing on June 30, 2024
WEB Congestion Pricing: Reducing Traffic and Improving Air Quality
WEB Discounts and Exemptions Available for Certain Drivers and Vehicles
New York City will soon become the first American city to implement congestion pricing. Starting on June 30, 2024, vehicles entering the Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ) during peak hours will be charged a fee. This disincentivizing fee is intended to cut down on traffic congestion and pollution. It was first proposed in 2007 and included in the 2019 New York state budget. However, New York City only recently completed a crucial final step on Wednesday to begin implementing the program.
The CRZ will cover the area below 60th Street in Manhattan. Vehicles entering the zone during peak hours (6-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m.) will be charged a fee of $12.50 for cars and $25 for trucks. The fee will vary depending on the time of day and the level of congestion.
There will be some discounts and exemptions to the toll. For example, residents of the CRZ will receive a 50% discount. Low-income drivers will also be eligible for a discount. And certain types of vehicles, such as buses and emergency vehicles, will be exempt from the fee.
Congestion pricing has been shown to be effective in reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality in other cities around the world. London, for example, implemented congestion pricing in 2003 and has seen a significant reduction in traffic congestion since then. New York City is hoping to see similar results.
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