Congestion pricing starts in NYC: How much the toll costs, discounts, more

MIDTOWN, Manhattan (PIX11) – Drivers will now be paying a toll to enter Manhattan at and below 60th Street after congestion pricing went into effect on Sunday.

Several lawsuits have attempted to block the first-in-the-U.S. plan, calling congestion pricing an unfair burden on commuters. A circuit court denied a last emergency appeal to temporarily pause congestion pricing on Friday in the state of New Jersey's lawsuit against the plan.

Others are celebrating the start of congestion pricing.

"Over a decade, New York's subway and bus riders organized and won congestion pricing. It's finally here. This transformative program will upgrade unreliable and inaccessible infrastructure, speed up ambulances and buses starting today, and cut toxic air pollution in the city and suburbs," said Riders Alliance Senior Organizer Danna Dennis in a statement.

Here's everything you need to know about congestion pricing:

How much does the toll cost?

Cars entering the Central Business District of Manhattan (area at and below 60th Street) will be charged $9 once a day between the hours of 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. on the weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the weekends. Tolls range in price between $4.50 and $21.60 for other types of vehicles.

Off-peak hours are between 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. during the week and 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. on weekends. Cars will only be charged $2.25 during those time periods.

If you don't use an E-Z Pass or your account isn't linked to your license plate, you will be charged 50% more for the toll, according to the MTA.

The toll is expected to increase to $15 by 2031.

Are there any ways to save money?

Low-income drivers and residents, people with disabilities, emergency vehicles, buses and government-owned vehicles are all eligible for discounts and exemptions under the congestion pricing plan, according to the MTA.

There is also a $3 crossing credit for drivers who take the Lincoln, Holland, Queens-Midtown or Hugh L. Carey tunnels. The FDR Drive, West Side Highway/Route 9A and the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel are all excluded from the toll, but only if you don't exit at or below 60th Street.

Lyft is also crediting riders the $1.50 they'll be charged when taking rideshare services into the CBD until the end of January.

What about New Jersey drivers?

New Jersey drivers are being hit with not just the congestion pricing toll, but also toll increases from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

The toll to enter New York City via the Lincoln and Holland tunnels, the George Washington, Bayonne and Goethals bridges, and the Outerbridge crossing will increase by $0.68, according to Port Authority. Drivers who use an EZ-Pass will pay $16.06 instead of $15.38 during peak hours and $14.06 instead of $13.38 during off-peak hours, officials said.

Gas prices are also going up in the Garden State this year. The state gas tax will increase by 2.6 cents, meaning the tax on a gallon of regular gasoline will rise to 34.4 cents and diesel will jump to 38.4 cents a gallon.

The increases are part of a law signed in March to raise the gas tax in the state by 18% over the next five years. New Jersey now has one of the highest gas taxes in the U.S.

New Jersey isn't the only one fighting back against congestion pricing: Staten Island, several unions and more have all filed lawsuits to try to stop the implementation of the plan.

The union representing New York City's emergency response teams called for members to transfer out of Manhattan due to the toll. It could cost around $45 a week for emergency personnel to get to work, FDNY EMS Local 2507 argued.

What's the goal of congestion pricing?

The MTA plans to use the money earned from congestion pricing to improve infrastructure on subways, buses, the LIRR and Metro-North. The agency also predicts it will reduce congestion in Manhattan by around 80,000 vehicles.

How exactly does congestion pricing work?

You can find out how you'll be charged the toll by clicking here.