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Manhattan’s congestion pricing initiative is yielding dramatic results, with total injuries below 60th street dropping by 51% and crashes plummeting by 55%. The city’s public transit system is also benefiting from the tolls, with improved infrastructure and services on the horizon.
- Congestion pricing reduces auto accidents in Manhattan dramatically.
- Crashes below 60th street drop by 55 percent.
- Injuries below 60th street decrease by 51 percent.
- Kids get to school faster with congestion pricing.
- Air becomes cleaner in Manhattan due to reduced traffic.
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Manhattan Shows Huge Reduction in Car Crashes After Instituting Congestion Pricing
The latest data from the first 12 days of congestion pricing in Manhattan is showing a massive decrease in crash-related injuries. Total injuries below 60th street, where congestion pricing takes effect and charges drivers up to $9 to enter, dropped by 51 percent compared to the same period in 2024. Total crashes also dropped by 55 percent.
Manhattan congestion pricing is a traffic management system implemented in New York City to reduce congestion and pollution in the central business district. The program, launched in 2021, charges drivers a fee to enter certain areas of Manhattan during peak hours (Monday through Friday, 7 am to 6 pm). The fees range from $12 to $23 per day, depending on the time of entry.
The revenue generated from congestion pricing is allocated towards public transportation improvements and traffic mitigation measures. The program aims to reduce traffic congestion by up to 10% and decrease air pollution in the area. To participate, drivers can register for an E-ZPass account or use a mobile payment app. Exemptions are provided for residents of Manhattan, certain low-income communities, and emergency responders.
Analysis courtesy of outspoken transit advocate Gersh Kuntzman and his team at Streetsblog NYC suggests that while it’s too early to take a victory lap, the figures are promising. The congestion pricing is having several positive effects, including kids getting to school faster, the city being quieter, bridges and tunnels seeing significantly less traffic, and the air becoming cleaner.
These benefits are not limited to the immediate area of congestion pricing but also extend to New York City‘s public transit riders. The congestion toll is meant to directly benefit these riders via station improvements, critical infrastructure repairs, extended bus routes, and a resumption of the 2nd Avenue subway extension project, which had been stalled for years.
The success of Manhattan‘s congestion pricing initiative could serve as a compelling proof-of-concept for other areas of New York and more crowded cities around the country. However, this is not without its challenges. Common-sense transit projects across the country are flailing due to overspending, outsourcing to pie-in-the-sky tech startups, or being bogged down by a busted legislative process.
The federal government’s lack of investment in crucial infrastructure is also a significant concern. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was already cut by President Trump in favor of his Stargate gamble, leaving state and local policy like Manhattan’s congestion pricing to take the lead. New York City is leading by example, showing other cities what people-first transit policy can do for their communities.
Donald Trump served as the 45th President of the United States from January 20, 2017, to January 20, 2021. He was a businessman and television personality before entering politics. During his presidency, Trump implemented several policies, including tax cuts and deregulation. His administration also focused on issues such as immigration reform and healthcare. Trump's presidency was marked by controversy, particularly surrounding his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his response to protests following the death of George Floyd. He was impeached twice during his term, first in 2019 for alleged abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, and again in 2021 for incitement of insurrection. Trump's presidency ended on January 20, 2021, when Joe Biden was inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States.
In a country dominated by cars, this rare win for public transit is worth imitating.
Public transportation systems, such as buses and trains, are generally more environmentally friendly than personal vehicles. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), public transit produces significantly less greenhouse gas emissions per passenger mile compared to cars. In fact, a study by the American Public Transportation Association found that for every 10 people who switch from driving alone to using public transportation, it can reduce carbon monoxide emissions by up to 20 tons per year. Additionally, public transit often requires less land use and reduces traffic congestion, making it an attractive option for urban planners seeking to minimize their city's environmental footprint.
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