The MTA’s much-hated congestion pricing program raked in $62 million greater than anticipated — fueling a contemporary wave of assaults from critics who say it solely proves the toll is nothing however a money seize.
Congestion pricing generated greater than $562 million in internet income in its first yr — effectively above the MTA’s unique $500 million projection for 2025 after bills, in accordance with the MTA.
MTA Chairman Janno Lieber mentioned this system — which expenses drivers a $9 base toll to enter Manhattan under sixtieth Avenue throughout peak hours — helped make 2025 “arguably the perfect yr in MTA historical past.”
He additionally mentioned the revenue would assist bankroll a $68.4 billion capital plan for brand spanking new rail automobiles, trendy alerts, elevators and different upgrades.
“Congestion pricing will not be solely underway however thriving,” he advised Albany lawmakers at a state finances listening to Tuesday, noting that greater than $5 billion in current capital commitments have been “enabled by congestion pricing.”
However opponents argued that the higher‑than‑anticipated haul exhibits the objective was at all times about income — and never decreasing site visitors — with some drivers paying greater than $27 simply to get to work in Manhattan every day.
“How did they elevate greater than anticipated if there have been alleged to be fewer automobiles?” requested Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn). “As a result of it was a scheme that was by no means meant to cut back congestion. It was at all times about income.”
Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella referred to as for decreased tolls in his district due to the MTA’s newfound bounty.
“In the actual world, the toll can be decreased or categorical bus riders would get some reduction. However, within the land of make imagine, elevating extra money than anticipated warrants a celebration. For these involved about ‘affordability,’ they need to advocate to make issues extra inexpensive by decreasing the toll,” Fossella mentioned.
“At a minimal, present some decreased toll for Staten Island drivers, since we at the moment pay three tolls to get to Manhattan,” he added, referring to tolls alongside the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, Battery tunnel and the $9 base congestion price.
The upper-than-expected surplus from the toll program final yr was pushed by a mixture of stronger-than-expected toll receipts and lower-than-expected in-house workers prices, in accordance with MTA CFO Jai Patel.
This system final yr noticed 27 million fewer automobiles enter the toll zone in Manhattan sixtieth avenue and under, or an 11% discount in site visitors, Patel mentioned final week on the MTA board assembly.
State knowledge additionally touted a 22% drop in air pollution in and across the congestion zone, a 7% lower in crashes and an 8% drop in site visitors accidents.
In MTA monetary and bond paperwork, the company had assumed internet congestion pricing income of $500 million per yr in 2025, 2026 and 2027, rising to $700 million yearly beginning in 2028.
But the bottom $9 price launched in January 2025 remains to be scheduled to climb to $15 by 2031 below the present tolling framework.
The combat over the tolls can also be enjoying out in federal courtroom. The Trump administration has tried to revoke federal approval for congestion pricing, however a Manhattan decide issued a preliminary injunction final yr blocking that transfer and permitting the $9 tolls to proceed whereas the case proceeds.
At a Jan. 28 listening to, Choose Lewis Liman heard the administration’s arguments, however congestion pricing stays in impact as each side await a remaining ruling.
Thus far, Trump’s effort to dismantle congestion pricing has been stymied.
“The one manner the toll will get nixed is that if feds win the lawsuit—which they need to as a result of President Trump rescinded the authorization and the cameras are working in violation of federal legislation,” Malliotakis mentioned.
