Congestion Pricing Goes Into Effect For Manhattan

NY 1 reports:

Yellow taxis are both an iconic symbol of New York City and the mode of transportation of choice for many commuters. But those sitting behind the wheel and in the backseat of these cabs are coming to terms with their new, costlier reality.

A congestion pricing surcharge for all for-hire vehicles traveling through some parts of Manhattan has begun. The surcharge kicked in Saturday, meaning Ubers, Lyfts and other car services driving south of 96th Street in Manhattan will see a $2.75 surcharge. That’s on top of the base fares for each company.

Yellow cabs will cost an extra $2.50, on top of the long-standing base fare of $5.50 just to get inside the vehicle. Governor Andrew Cuomo says the surcharges are needed to fix the aging subway system and to reduce congestion in Manhattan.

ABC New York reports:

Drivers will protest the congestion fee Sunday afternoon outside New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Midtown office. Drivers sued the state over the fee in 2018 and a temporary restraining order blocked the surcharge, but the order was recently lifted.

The State Supreme Court judge on Thursday also allowed the case to move forward by denying a motion from the state to dismiss the lawsuit.

Cuomo called congestion pricing a “necessary” measure in order to provide funding for the city’s crumbling MTA. Albany estimated that the surcharge will produce around $400 million per year, a helpful measure considering that subway delays alone cost the MTA $1 million each day, according to Cuomo.