© Mark Vergari/The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORK Congestion pricing
(New York, NY) — Congestion pricing may be slowing down drive times in midtown, having the opposite effect of what it was slated to do. A new analysis from the transportation group, INRIX shows since January 5th, the day congestion pricing began travel times slowed overall by three percent during the morning rush, when compared to the same time last year. They have also slowed down four percent during the evening ride home, when compared to the same time last year.
INRIX reports highways and major roads in Manhattan, outside the zone are moving faster than a year ago. That’s not the case in Brooklyn and Staten Island, where commute times have increased since congestion pricing began.
The MTA will discuss congestion pricing today when the agency holds its first committee meetings since the tolling program went into effect. MTA Chair Janno Lieber claims there’s been a seven and a half percent reduction in vehicular traffic in the Manhattan’s congestion zone. He also points to data that shows the number of crashes and injuries are down in the congestion zone.
