Congestion pricing rakes up over $48 million in first month operations, MTA says
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Congestion pricing raised $48.6 million in its first month, according to new MTA numbers released by the MTA, which is on target for what officials projected for the program's monthly revenue.
The new data comes as the MTA held a meeting with committee members on Monday to discuss the future of the plan and the projects it is supposed to fund.
Gov. Kathy Hochul will use the latest revenue figures to fight the Trump administration's move to kill the program after the Department of Transportation rescinded its approval last week.
Hochul said she will continue to fight the order while some New York State Republicans are calling for an immediate repeal of congestion pricing and an audit of the MTA.
The latest numbers reveal that the MTA will collect $37.5 million of net revenue after $9.1 million of operating expenses and were able to set aside $2 million for mitigation projects to help combat environmental issues outside of the tolled area.
Taxis and for-hire vehicles account for $10 million, or about 20% of the revenue collected, with the remaining amount coming from passenger cars, trucks and other vehicles.
About 68% was paid by passenger cars, the rest by commercial trucks.
A majority of drivers entering the congestion zone use E-ZPass, which deducts the toll automatically.
The MTA anticipated the fee would bring in nearly $500 million a year, or about $40 million per month, in the program's first phase. $48.6 million in its first month is viewed as a strong start, but within budgeted projections.
The MTA says 95% of the congestion pricing revenue is coming from peak hours.
One projection that that is higher than predicted is subway ridership, but officials say that is due to fare evasion initiatives.
The MTA says it still doesn't know if congestion pricing has altered the behaviors of truck deliveries in the city. It believes the warmer months ahead will lead to higher traffic.
The program's future is already in question. Gov. Hochul met with President Trump in the Oval Office on Friday night for more than an hour, bringing with her a 22-page Power Point and a booklet, showing the program's success in its first months.
She suggested that the president remains unconvinced.
"Our city is paralyzed with gridlock and we had a path forward to be able to make the city move again, and it's working," Hochul said. "I just wanted to have that opportunity to convey that but I don't think that we were very persuasive on that front but that's OK. The people of my state need to know that I'm willing to take the fight wherever I have to."
Right now, drivers are still getting tolled to drive below 60th Street in Manhattan.
ALSO READ: Congestion pricing: What you need to know about toll bill, discounts and more
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