MTA reports reduced traffic in Manhattan amid congestion pricing program

File Source: amNewYork

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has highlighted positive results from its congestion pricing program, which has led to a noticeable reduction in traffic in Lower Manhattan.

During the second week of the tolling initiative, the number of vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street, including excluded roads like the FDR Drive and West Side Highway, dropped by 4.5% compared to the average weekday baseline of 583,000 vehicles from January over the last three years.

When focusing solely on the Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ)—the tolled streets below 60th Street—the decrease was even more dramatic, with traffic down by 15.5%. MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber expressed optimism about the program’s early impact. “We’re starting to learn and get more data, but the main thing is: everybody’s lived experience is the same! Traffic in midtown is dramatically down, and it’s a much calmer environment,” Lieber said.

Lieber also pointed to promising safety improvements, citing NYPD data showing a drop in motor vehicle collisions within the Manhattan South patrol borough, which covers the CRZ. From January 13-19, there were 17 collisions in the area, compared to 28 during the same period last year. “There are fewer traffic collisions, fewer are being injured, God forbid, killed in traffic crashes. It’s good news all around, but we need to watch how it is unfolding,” Lieber added.

Despite the program’s reported successes, not everyone is convinced. Queens Councilwoman Joanne Ariola criticized the initiative for pushing traffic into outer boroughs. “There may be less congestion in the congestion pricing zones, but we’ve seen an uptick in traffic outside of those zones,” Ariola said, adding that her commutes to Manhattan now take longer due to alternate routes.

Opposition to the program continues to grow, with Republican Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis and other lawmakers urging President Biden to intervene. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy also announced plans to amend the state’s lawsuit against the program, leaving the future of congestion pricing uncertain should it face further legal challenges.

While the MTA remains focused on the program’s potential benefits, the debate underscores the ongoing tension between reducing Manhattan traffic and addressing concerns from commuters and neighboring regions.