MTA Approves Congestion Pricing Tolls

NEW YORK CITY — Congestion pricing is one major step closer to reality.

MTA board members Wednesday approved $15 tolls for vehicles and other proposed fees for vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street.

The vote sets up a 60-day public comment period that's a critical last step before congestion pricing officially begins, likely in the spring.

"This is an important moment for the MTA, and it’s not only because of congestion pricing," said Janno Lieber, the transit agency's chair and CEO.

Lieber said besides easing gridlock in Manhattan, that congestion pricing will bring in a critical $15 billion for major MTA projects.

Congestion pricing will account for 50 percent of funding for those projects, he said.

"We've knocked out as many of the projects as we can that did not depend on congestion pricing, now we are coming to the point that we really to start to need that money," he said.

Resignaling, ADA accessibility, electric buses, making the MTA's system more resilient and in a state of good repair all depend on funds raised by congestion pricing, said Jamie Torres-Springer, the MTA's president of construction and development.

"More so now than even a couple years ago," he said.

The recommended pricing approved by all but one member sets the base toll at $15 no more than once a day for passenger vehicles.

Trucks should be charged $24 or $36, depending on their type.

Toll rates will apply during the most congested times, from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.