Volts NYC's congestion pricing has been running for a year now. How's it doing?
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Jan 7, 2026 Kate Slevin, Executive Vice President of the Regional Plan Association and a stalwart advocate for urban transit, dives into NYC's first year of congestion pricing. She highlights how it has enhanced business and pedestrian traffic while minimizing gridlock and spillover onto surrounding streets. Slevin also discusses the significant revenue generated for public transit and early successes like reduced crashes and faster bus rides. With legal protections in place for funds, she outlines future pricing strategies and shares lessons for cities looking to improve urban mobility.
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Immediate, Broad Benefits Were Visible
- Congestion pricing produced clear, immediate benefits across Manhattan soon after launch.
- Traffic fell, transit trips rose, buses moved faster, and accidents and noise declined.
Firsthand Observation At Holland Tunnel
- Kate Slevin describes standing by the Holland Tunnel and noticing almost no traffic a few weeks after launch.
- She recalls hearing herself speak and enjoying quieter streets where cars had been dominant.
Measured Drops In Vehicles And Noise
- RPA and others measured large-scale changes using multiple datasets and found big drops in vehicles and noise.
- They reported 20 million fewer vehicle entries and a 45% drop in noise complaints.