The adoption of the congestion toll in New York City marks one month this week and, so far, it seems to be having a positive impact.
Last week, MTA officials reported a notable decrease in congestion since the plan went into effect in early January.
The MTA reported that since the toll was launched on January 5, over 1 million fewer vehicles have entered the Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ).
Since the program’s launch, the MTA reported that an average of 490,000 vehicles enter the CRZ daily, while another 63,000 travel through the Central Business District (CBD) using toll-free highways.
The MTA stated that drivers have been experiencing much faster commutes, especially during peak afternoon hours, with reductions of up to 59%.
But the future of the policy remains uncertain.
The New York Times reported that the Department of Transportation is discussing whether to withdraw an important federal authorization that the toll plan received from the Biden administration last year. No final decision has been made, but President Donald Trump remains adamant about halting the program.
Survey Reveals More New Yorkers Believe Manhattan Tolls Are Reducing Traffic
According to a survey of registered voters in New York conducted by the research firm Morning Consult, New Yorkers experienced faster commutes and less traffic in the first four weeks of tolling in Manhattan.
In fact, six in ten (59%) of the 1,203 voters surveyed said President Trump should allow the toll to continue. The survey also showed that most residents of the metropolitan area outside of New York agree that the toll has reduced traffic.
The toll charges most drivers entering south of Manhattan, below 60th Street, $9.
Sources: Fox News and AmNY