NYC Drivers Slam Congestion Pricing as Tolls 'Eat Us Alive' Amid Persistent Traffic
Two years after implementation, drivers report little improvement in traffic flow and significant financial strain, challenging official claims of success.
Drivers in Manhattan's congestion pricing zone say traffic remains as bad as ever nearly two years after the toll's implementation, with many feeling the financial burden is unsustainable. Despite claims from officials of improved traffic flow and air quality, data from trucking companies and drivers' experiences suggest otherwise.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has touted congestion pricing as an "unqualified success," with MTA boss Janno Lieber stating that "all of the metrics" show drivers are saving time and that the agency is using signage to highlight projects "made possible by congestion pricing." However, data from Geotab, a company that provides fleet management software, analyzed over 50,000 commercial vehicle trips within the zone and found that average speeds between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. in 2025 were largely unchanged compared to 2024, prior to the toll.
According to Geotab's analysis, traffic speeds improved along only 37% of mileage within the zone, while 46% showed no significant change and 16% actually became slower. This contradicts the MTA's claim of an 11% traffic reduction into the zone in 2025. Data from the Port Authority for the Holland and Lincoln tunnels showed only a 4.5% drop in vehicle entries in 2025 compared to 2024.
Drivers themselves report little to no improvement in their commute times. Michael, a 55-year-old courier from Queens, described the toll as a "money grab" that working people cannot afford, stating, "I'm paying up to four grand, and I'm not getting any benefit. Traffic is not flowing." Benadon Benmore, an ironworker from Harlem, said his two-hour commute home has not changed since the toll was introduced. Jhoffre Arevalo, an Uber driver from Flushing, noted that while traffic initially eased, it has since returned to pre-toll levels, and he believes he sees more traffic now.
The pricing structure for trucks may also be contributing to the persistent congestion. Unlike cars, which pay a daily toll, trucks are charged each time they enter the zone. Geotab data indicates that commercial vehicles are idling more, making an average of 4.6 stops per day in 2025, up from 4 in 2024. This has potentially led to increased emissions compared to the previous year.
Governor Kathy Hochul has promoted the congestion toll, asserting it has brought "cleaner air." However, a city Health Department report in August found no significant difference in pollution levels inside the zone with or without the toll. Despite these concerns, the toll has generated substantial revenue for the MTA, bringing in $548 million through September and over $700 million for all of 2025, according to board documents. Annual costs for a driver commuting five days a week can reach approximately $2,250, while a large truck could face over $5,400 for one daily trip, potentially doubling if two trips are made daily. Future toll increases are planned, with car tolls set to rise to $12 in 2028 and $15 in 2031, further exacerbating drivers' concerns about the financial impact.