Examining Toll Exemptions and Questions Surrounding NYC Congestion Pricing

The chairman of the Traffic Mobility Review Board, responsible for setting the price for Manhattan's congestion pricing program, stated that considering toll exemptions and discounts for suburbs would require others to pay more. New Jersey and suburban New York politicians have been advocating for exemptions, claiming that the toll will negatively impact the economy. The toll must raise approximately $1 billion annually to fund the modernization of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's transportation systems. A federal environmental review found that most trips into the toll zone are already made by public transit. Advocates argue that the toll will encourage transit usage and improve subway service, while opponents suggest finding alternative funding sources and reducing costs.