The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) board has voted in favor of implementing a slate of congestion pricing tolls for vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street. The approval sets the stage for the collection of fees to begin in late spring next year.

The toll structure, recommended by the Traffic Mobility Review Board, was backed by nine out of ten members of the MTA board, with David Mack of Nassau County being the sole dissenting vote. Under the approved toll scheme, passenger vehicles will be subject to a $15 fee during weekdays from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

In addition to passenger vehicles, the tolling scheme includes varying fees for different types of vehicles. Smaller trucks, such as box trucks, will face a $24 toll, while larger trucks, including big rigs, will be charged $36. Yellow and green taxis will have an additional $1.25 surcharge, and app-based for-hire vehicles like Uber and Lyft will incur a $2.50 surcharge. Both taxis and for-hire vehicles are expected to pass the cost of the tolls onto passengers.

Certain exemptions have been included in the tolling program. Drivers with an annual income of $50,000 or less will not have to pay for their first ten trips into the congestion zone each month. Emergency vehicles, vehicles transporting individuals with disabilities, and low-income drivers residing in the congestion zone and earning $60,000 or less per year will also be exempt. Drivers who use the West Side Highway or the FDR Drive will not be subject to the tolls.

The MTA's congestion pricing program aims to address the long-standing issue of traffic congestion in New York City. It is expected to generate approximately $1 billion annually, as mandated by law.

While congestion pricing has been successfully implemented in other countries, this program represents the first attempt in the United States to reduce gridlock through the imposition of fees. However, the implementation of congestion pricing has faced numerous challenges over the years. Previous proposals, such as tolls on the East River bridges and an $8 congestion toll in Manhattan, failed to gain sufficient support.

Despite the near unanimous vote in favor of the tolling scheme, some board members expressed reservations about the pricing structure. Board members nominated by Mayor Eric Adams, including Midori Valdivia, called for toll exemptions for school buses, yellow taxis, and vehicles transporting individuals to medical appointments.

The approval of congestion pricing is a significant milestone for the MTA, as the generated revenue will support $15 billion worth of loans, accounting for nearly a third of the agency's 2020-2024 construction program. However, concerns were raised regarding potential delays due to ongoing lawsuits filed by New Jersey lawmakers challenging the implementation of congestion pricing.

As the MTA moves forward with the tolling program, a 60-day public comment period will ensue, followed by a final vote by the MTA board to initiate the program. The introduction of congestion pricing aims to alleviate traffic congestion and improve public transportation in Manhattan, shaping the future of transportation in the city.