Congestion Pricing Map: See Where Tolls Apply For NJ/NYC Drivers

NEW JERSEY — Congestion pricing has officially begun in New York City, with commuters from New Jersey now charged a fee for entering Manhattan south of 60th Street.

Officials said the toll is meant to reduce traffic gridlock in the densely packed city while also raising money to help fix its ailing public transit infrastructure.

Congestion pricing also survived several lawsuits seeking to block the program, including a last-ditch effort from the state of New Jersey to have a judge put up a temporary roadblock against it. Gov. Phil Murphy has vowed to continue fighting against the scheme.

Any vehicles entering local streets and avenues below 60th Street will have to pay the toll, which is charged to their E-Z Pass account. Drivers of most passenger cars will pay $9 to enter Manhattan south of Central Park on weekdays between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. and on weekends between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. During off hours, the toll will be $2.25 for most vehicles.

Emergency vehicles and government-owned vehicles are exempt from the toll, as are certain commuter and transit buses.

Garden State commuters will have to pay to get to the Holland and Lincoln tunnels from the West Side Highway. E-ZPass drivers are eligible for a $3 credit if they use the tunnels during peak times.

Vehicles only using the West Side Highway, FDR Drive, and Hugh L. Carey tunnel are excluded from the tolls. Drivers using the George Washington Bridge will only be charged if they drive on residential streets south of 60th Street.

The MTA plans to increase the toll charge to $12 in 2028, and then bump the price up to $15 in 2031.

Some discounts available for eligible drivers

Low-income drivers can also receive a discount, and those with certain disabilities and health conditions — or who are transporting disabled people to appointments — can apply for an exemption.

According to the MTA, the Individual Disability Exemption Plan (IDEP) is available for people who have disabilities or health conditions that prevent them from using public transit.

The IDEP can be applied to a vehicle registered to the applicant, or to a vehicle registered to another designated person (such as a family member or a caregiver), if they use that vehicle to drive the applicant to appointments in the congestion zone.

Drivers who make less than $50,000, or who are enrolled in a qualifying government assistance program, can apply for the Low-Income Discount Plan (LIDP). This is a 50 percent discount on the peak toll, which kicks in after the first 10 trips in a calendar month.

Only vehicles connected with an E-ZPass New York account may enroll in the discounts, and individuals must fill out an online application.

Click here to see more about discounts and exemptions for the congestion pricing program.

This article contains reporting from the Associated Press.