New York City’s plan to reduce vehicle traffic and pollution and raise critical funds for public transit officially launched on Sunday after overcoming a series of obstacles, including a last-minute emergency legal challenge by New Jersey this past weekend. The plan puts a price on driving into the congested streets of southern Manhattan, which has the worst traffic in the nation.  

Originally slated to launch in June 2024, congestion pricing was paused by Governor Kathy Hochul and then reinstated in November with changes. The revised plan reduced fees for entering the congestion zone by 40%, dropping peak-hour charges for passenger vehicles to $9. (Fees are discounted for frequent low-income drivers, and significantly lower overnight.) 

The program, the first of its kind in the United States, is designed to generate enough revenue to fund $15 billion in much-needed capital improvements for transit, including new subway signals, electric buses, elevators and more. It also funds projects to address asthma and air quality issues in heavy-traffic communities.  

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Hochul also plans to immediately improve service on more than 20 bus lines and work with the city to develop additional traffic reduction measures.  

The plan is supported by a broad coalition of environmental, community, business and other advocates, including Environmental Defense Fund, Regional Plan Association and Riders Alliance, who worked for years to bring it to fruition. 

“Cleaner air, faster transit, and safer streets — bring it on!” said the coalition in a post on X. While some have expressed outrage about the toll, many millions will benefit. 

About 75% of commuter trips into the congestion zone, and nearly 99% of those coming from New Jersey, are made using public transit.  

But the road ahead is not yet smooth. Lawsuits are still pending, and President-elect Trump as a candidate said he would terminate the program, though how he would do so remains unclear — the plan has already received federal approval.  

“It has never been more important for state leaders to take decisive action to fight climate change, safeguard our health, and invest in cleaner transportation alternatives,” said Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense Fund, one of the coalition organizers.