New York congestion charge begins, first in the U.S.

Motorists entering Manhattan’s busiest neighborhoods will now have to pay up to $9 in congestion charges, as New York City’s first-in-the-nation Congestion Relief Zone officially launched Sunday.

Motorists entering Manhattan’s busiest neighborhoods will now have to pay up to $9 in congestion charges, as New York City’s first-in-the-nation Congestion Relief Zone officially launched Sunday.

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority said that the zone opened at 12:00:01 a.m. on Sunday morning and “is fully operational.”

The scheme aims to ease New York’s infamous traffic problems and raise money for public transportation. It comes into effect despite an eleventh-hour effort from neighboring New Jersey and local opposition including from President-elect Donald Trump.

Pedestrians, cyclists and cars move along Delancey Street in New York City on Nov. 13.Charly Triballeau / AFP via Getty ImagesUnder the pricing plan, most cars entering Manhattan’s central business district — which stretches from 60th Street all the way down to the southern tip of the Financial District — must pay a peak fee of $9 from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.

Off-peak would be a 75% discount — $2.25.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/new-york-congestion-charge-hochul-rcna186273

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