New York’s New Congestion Pricing To Start Sunday

After being paused, Governor Hochul's new congestion pricing plan is set to begin for New York commuters this weekend.

"Putting New York Commuters First" is the slogan behind the new congestion pricing plan laid out by Gov. Hochul. Those commuters will likely be the ones facing the brunt of the cost, however.

Beginning on January 5th at the stroke of midnight people entering New York City will have to pay a price during certain hours. Cars will have to pay $9 between 5am and 9pm weekdays and between 9am and 9pm on the weekends. If you're entering not during those hours you pay $2.25.

This is a major financial blow to many folks who live outside of NYC who drive into work every single day. If you drive in every day that would be an extra $45 a week and that adds up to $180 a month per car.

This is likely going to end up costing businesses more as the large trucks and buses bringing in supplies and tourists will have to pay more. Large trucks will pay $21.60 and smaller ones will pay $14.40.

There are discount programs in place for those who apply, which can be found here.

The MTA says that this money will fund upkeep and renovations to the New York City Subway system that needs it badly.

Everything will begin on Sunday night after a months long pause to the program, in which the fees were reduced, but many say it still wasn't enough.

I am less likely to want to drive into the city now, and will instead just take the train from Poughkeepsie to avoid the tolls.