Congestion Pricing Works: The Proof is in the Numbers

January 13, 2025

The following statement can be attributed to Lisa Daglian, Executive Director, Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC): “Seeing is believing, and the numbers don’t lie – these axioms are proving true as data comes in after the first week of congestion pricing. The term ‘congestion relief zone’ is starting to reflect the reality of what’s happening south of 60th Street in Manhattan, with an 8-percent reduction in traffic entering the Central Business District. That translates to faster trips for bus riders and drivers at all crossings, including from New Jersey. “But wait, there’s more! After one week of congestion relief, bus riders are seeing the benefits on some of the pokiest routes, including the M50, which saw a 5-percent improvement. Longer-haul express bus riders, like those from Staten Island who must travel through New Jersey and deal with traffic on the helix approach to the Lincoln Tunnel, saw marked improvements to their trips due to the reduction in time it’s been taking to get through the tunnel. “Take a walk or ride into midtown. There is already a difference: less congestion, easier street crossings, and a sense of muted surprise from even the most jaded New Yorkers. The changes we’re seeing in just one week border on epic, and it’s just the beginning of a better future for our region. Congestion relief has arrived, it works, and we can’t wait to see how much better it can get. We look forward to getting more data regularly to prove the point with the numbers, for those who don’t believe their eyes.”