MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber says Manhattan congestion pricing will begin at one second past midnight on June 30, 2024. But there are lawsuits that aim to stop it from ever happening.
© Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
(New York, NY) – MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber says the transit agency’s controversial Manhattan congestion pricing plan will begin on June 30. At one second past midnight on that Sunday, the overhead tolling readers already in place will begin dinging drivers for entering Manhattan south of 60th Street. That said, there are still a number of lawsuits yet to be decided that aim to stop it from ever happening.
The bulk of drivers will pay $15 extra bucks to drive south of 60th Street, while the overnight fee is $3.75. Trucks will be charged either $24 or $36 during the peak period, depending on their size. There are also a series of exceptions that have been established, and drivers coming through the Holland, Lincoln, and East River tunnels will get a discount.
Lieber announced earlier this month that some counties in New Jersey and New York will get some portion of the revenue collected, in order to mitigate the environmental impact on those areas. That’s because places are expected to see increased traffic as a result of changing patterns.
MTA officials maintain the revenue will help fund capital projects — including a long overdue overhaul and upgrade of the subway system. But some opposed to the plan — like New Jersey Democratic Congressman Josh Gottheimer — says the whole thing is forcing commuters to pay for the MTA’s financial mismanagement.
