The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) board has given the green light for congestion pricing in New York City, paving the way for a controversial plan that will charge cars $15 to enter Manhattan below 61st Street and impose higher tolls on trucks. The approval, with only one out of the 12 board members opposing the proposal, means that congestion pricing can commence following a 60-day public information campaign and a 30-day testing period. The plan, aimed at reducing traffic in Manhattan’s central business district, is expected to start as early as June 15, pending any potential legal challenges.

Under the approved plan, passenger vehicles will be charged an additional $15 to enter Manhattan at 61st Street and below, while trucks could face tolls ranging from $24 to $36, based on their size. However, there are exemptions in place, with government vehicles and yellow school buses contracted with the Department of Education being among those excluded from the toll charges. The MTA board’s decision to move forward with congestion pricing comes after it was initially approved in December, with the aim of generating millions of dollars to support the aging transit system.

The MTA’s move has sparked both support and opposition, with proponents emphasizing the potential benefits of reducing traffic and pollution in the city’s central area, while critics express concerns about the financial burden it may impose on drivers and businesses. Nevertheless, the board’s recent vote marks a critical final approval of the plan’s toll rates and exemptions, positioning the MTA to implement congestion pricing as a historic initiative for New York City’s transportation system. Stay updated for more developments on this groundbreaking program.