Manhattan's congestion pricing cuts 43 cars

New York City began charging for entering Manhattan on January 5. Last week, an average of 60 fewer drivers entered Midtown and Lower Manhattan (below 43th Street) than usual at this time, reports Gothamist.

This reduction in the number of drivers, as many people in Manhattan have noticed, could impact traffic flow and congestion.

The traffic reduction is 7,5%, with an average of 583 drivers expected to enter the toll zone each day.

“It’s been a really good week here in New York City,” MTA Deputy Commissioner Juliette Michaelson said at a news conference. She cautioned that the congestion charge is only in effect for eight days and that traffic patterns could change.

On the subject: Manhattan Congestion Charge Now in Place: Some Drivers Have Found a Way to Cheat the System

Travel times at all entry points, such as the Williamsburg Bridge and Holland Tunnel, have decreased by an average of 30-40%, especially during the morning commute.

Speed ​​of buses after introduction payment increased. The Manhattan-bound B39 bus crossing the Williamsburg Bridge traveled 28 percent faster than the same week last January. Other buses sped up, too.

Michaelson said some express buses, including the BM1, QM16, BM4 and SIM9, had seen higher ridership growth in the past week.

The same data show that northbound and southbound speeds on the avenue in the toll zone south of 60th Street have not changed significantly.

Pros and cons

January 5th in New York started charging entry fees to Manhattan. The fee is $9.

By law, revenue from the new fares would go toward funding needed repairs to MTA transit systems and modernization of public transportation.

Kathy Hochul said the money would go toward a modern traffic signal system to improve subway service, expanding the Second Avenue subway line, adding electric buses and elevators at subway stations.

The MTA is estimated to collect $500 million each year from congestion charges. But New York Republican lawmakers have vowed to eliminate the fee, claiming support from President-elect Donald Trump.

But transit advocates say the first week's data shows congestion pricing is working.

“Drivers are saving a ton of time. Buses are finally getting up to speed, especially on express trains filled with riders from all over New York and New Jersey,” said Riders Alliance spokesman Danny Perlstein. “After such a rapid success, politicians trying to shut down the program for personal gain need to explain why they want to extend millions of trips, kill tens of thousands of infrastructure jobs, and drive down housing costs across the city and suburbs.”