Manhattan's congestion charge has brought the city $159 million in three months, and accidents have decreased
'07.05.2025'
ForumDaily New York
It's been three months since Manhattan's congestion charge was introduced. The new fees have already generated about $160 million in revenue in the first quarter. SecretNYC talks about the positive changes that have occurred thanks to this program.
It has been in effect in New York for three months now. congestion pricing system or, as it is popularly known, the Manhattan Congestion Charge (below 60th Street).
Entry fee
Now New York has seen not only an influx of revenue, but also a reduction in traffic accidents after the first three months of the fees.
Higher fees, including $15, were previously proposed, but New York Governor Kathy Hochul put the original plan on hold in the summer of 2024. The current fee is $9, which is charged for entering Manhattan below 60th Street.
On the subject: Trump Ends Manhattan Congestion Charge, But MTA Goes to Court to Keep Fee in Place
However, drivers are not charged if they stay exclusively on FDR Drive, West Side Highway/Route 9A, or the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel connections to West Street. For an exact breakdown of fees based on time, vehicle type, etc., see here.
Positive trends
With the new system, the city aims to reduce traffic and travel times, reduce emissions, improve quality of life, raise money for better public transportation, and promote safer streets and cleaner air.
The program has already generated a total of $159 million. Those millions of dollars will go toward MTA capital projects, such as expanding New York City's electric bus fleet, developing the Second Avenue subway project, and upgrading the subway signal system.
By the end of the year, the MTA projects the program will add a total of $500 million to the city's budget. At this rate, that goal seems likely.
The program has reduced the number of traffic collisions by 13%. In the first three months of the program alone, New York City saw 243 fewer collisions than the same period last year. From January 5 to March 30, 2024, there were 60 crashes in Manhattan below 1617th Street, while in 2025 that number dropped to 1374.
