Congestion pricing in NYC: How drivers can qualify for a crossing credit

New York’s Staten Island. Cars will be charged to enter Manhattan’s Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ) on January 5, 2025, when New York City’s contentious congestion pricing scheme takes effect.

With the exception of the FDR Drive, West Side Highway/Route 9A, and the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel links to West Street, the CRZ encompasses local streets and avenues in Manhattan south of and including 60th Street.

Governor Kathy Hochul revived the idea in November after it had stagnated and faced strong opposition from Staten Island government officials.

Starting on Sunday, January 5, 2025, it will tax cars for accessing specific parts of Manhattan during rush hour using electronic tolling. It seeks to lessen traffic jams and generate funds for improvements to public transit.

The toll will be less than what was initially suggested when it takes effect.Drivers would have been billed $15 to enter the zone at first. Hochul said that the program’s high cost for working New Yorkers was the reason she initially opposed it.

However, the type of vehicle, the time of day, whether any crossing credits are applicable, and the mode of payment will all affect the toll price.

Crossing credits

Discounts are available to drivers who pay tolls using their E-ZPass accounts to enter the borough, in addition to exemptions and discounts for those with low incomes, those with disabilities that prevent them from using mass transit, school buses, commuter vans, and buses, among others.

We refer to this as crossing credits.

For cars with a valid E-ZPass account who enter during peak hours through one of the four tolled entries—the Lincoln Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, Queens-Midtown Tunnel, and Hugh L. Carey Tunnel—these credits will lower CRZ tolls.

Passenger cars will receive a credit of up to $3, motorcycles up to $1.50, light trucks and charter buses up to $7.20, and large trucks and tour buses up to $12.

When the toll is lowered by 75% from the peak period toll, no crossing credits will be provided overnight.

Customers using E-ZPass will be able to pay the CRZ toll by using their E-ZPass tags.

A Tolls by Mail charge will be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle for those without an E-ZPass tag. E-ZPass claims that tolls by mail invoices are more costly and less simple to pay.Visit e-zpassny.com to find out more about registering for E-ZPassat.

It is necessary for those who already have an E-ZPass account to confirm that their current license plate is connected to their account. When the Congestion Relief Zone toll goes into effect, this will guarantee that they have been charged the E-ZPass rate.

Drivers can check their account status on the E-ZPass NY website if their E-ZPass was issued by the state of New York. They must visit the E-ZPass website for the relevant state if the E-ZPass was issued in a different state.

Drivers will only be billed the appropriate CRZ toll during the program’s first 60 days. E-ZPass states that there won’t be any extra costs, fees, or penalties, including late fees.

NYC congestion pricing

• NYC congestion pricing: What are the toll rates during peak period?

• Deadline to apply for NYC congestion pricing discounts is at the end of this month

• NYC congestion pricing: Here s how much it will cost drivers

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