Heads up! If you’re planning on traveling to New York, getting around is about to get a bit more expensive thanks to the new Manhattan congestion fee. Of course, the fee will very based on how you travel – driving yourself and catching a ride.
Though I’ve only been New York twice. Despite this, it’s one of my favorite places to visit thanks to the plethora of fantastic dining options all around. No matter your budget, you’ll always find something fantastic to eat. However, a trip to the Big Apple is going to get a bit more expensive thanks to the new Manhattan congestion fee.
Manhattan Congestion Fee
Congestion fees and the like are nothing new. Singapore implemented their own version in 1975, and London launched their own in 2003, while other European cities have done the same, including Milan, Stockholm, and Gothenburg. However, they’ve never been implemented in the U.S., at least not until now.
The Manhattan congestion fee has been debated since as far back as 2007. However, this June, it will become a reality with impacts for locals and visitors alike. Per the MTA, the Manhattan congestion fee, formally known as the Central Business District Tolling Program, will assess fees for those accessing the Congestion Relief Zone in Manhattan, which is all of Manhattan at or below 60th Street.
For those not familiar, 60th Street is on the lower end of Central Park, so the vast majority of sites that visitors want to see fall into the zone. Fees will be assessed 24/7, though they’ll vary based on the vehicle type and time of day. Peak times run from 5 am to 9 pm on weekdays and 9 am to 9 pm on weekends.
The breakdown of the fees is as follows:
- Passenger vehicles: $15 peak and $3.75 off-peak
- Trucks & buses: $24 to $36 peak (depending on size) and $6 to $8 off-peak
- Motorcycle: $7.50 peak and $1.88 off-peak
- Taxi/Private Car: $1.25 per ride
- Rideshare: $2.50 per ride
It’s important to note that, while the taxi, private car, and rideshare fees are assessed per ride, all others pay only once per day. Small consolation, I know, But still.
Impacts to Visitors
As you can see above, taxi, private car, and rideshare fares are all going to automatically increase by $1.25 to $2.50 per ride, which isn’t too bad in the grand scheme of things. However, even if you wanted to avoid the fees, it’d be incredibly inconvenient to do so. After all, while New York has a really comprehensive mass transit system, it’s not so easy to get from, say, JFK to hotels in Manhattan.
Using my last trip way back in 2016 as an example, a taxi ride from JFK to the Renaissance New York Midtown takes anywhere from 25 minutes to about an hour, on average. However, taking mass transit ranges from about an hour to over an hour and a half, depending on whether or not the Long Island Railroad is available when you arrive. This option also includes between 20 and 25 minutes of walking. Not ideal if you have a checked bag with you.
Final Thoughts
I don’t know about you all, but when I go to New York, I typically use taxi or car service to get to and from the airport. Otherwise, I get around the city via subway. So, for me, the new congestion fees will have minimal impacts. I’ve never even thought about driving in New York, so the high personal vehicle fees don’t bother me, though they would give me pause about doing so. And that’s the point, right? But I do feel for people that need to drive into the city for work.
At any rate, what do you all think about the new Manhattan congestion fee?