Congestion pricing for Manhattan is underway. It started today.
After all the public hearings , the protests and legal attempts to stop it, MTA Chair Janno Lieber says Congestion pricing is reality.
"We are resilient, we can do big things, let's get started doing this big thing."
The green light came from a judge Friday night who rejected New Jersey's final attempt to stop the program after Attorney Randy Mastro argued it would cause more congestion in northern New Jersey.
"We feel the decision reflected the importance of mitigation of New Jersey communities that will be significantly adversely affected."
Drivers are now paying a new nine dollar toll during peak periods to head south of 60th Street in Manhattan. New Jersey drivers will get three dollars off for using the Lincoln and Holland tunnels. New York drivers will get three dollar discount if they use the Hugh L. Carey and Queens-Midtown tunnels. There are other discounts as well in place. The toll revenue is expected to go towards the MTA for improvements to the mass transit system.