New York City Launches First Congestion Pricing

New York City has launched the nation's first congestion pricing system on January 5, resulting in a 7.5% reduction in traffic in Manhattan's central business district. The policy charges passenger vehicles $9 and larger vehicles up to $21.60 during peak hours to fund public transit projects, with expectations of generating about $500 million annually. Despite initial success, including faster bus commutes, the plan faces strong opposition from President-elect Donald Trump, who has vowed to terminate it upon taking office, labeling it a 'disaster for NYC.' Legal challenges have been raised, but experts believe the system's implementation before Trump's inauguration strengthens its position. Columbia Law School professor Michael Gerrard noted that reversing the congestion pricing now would be difficult for the federal government, as previous lawsuits against it have had limited success. Overall, the city's congestion pricing aims not only to ease traffic but also to improve air quality and support public transit initiatives.