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Congestion in the New York City area has increased since the implementation of the Manhattan congestion pricing toll on January 5. According to data from transportation analytics firm INRIX, travel times have slowed by three percent in the morning rush and four percent in the evening compared to the same period last year. While there has been an improvement in traffic flow on highways and major roads in Manhattan, other areas like Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, and the Bronx have experienced slower travel times. Additionally, travel times increased in Essex and Bergen counties in New Jersey, although they improved in Nassau County on Long Island.
The congestion pricing program, the first of its kind in the United States, aims to reduce traffic by charging most motorists $9 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street. The New York Times reported mixed results, with some commuters experiencing faster travel times, while others face increased congestion. The Bloomberg analysis found that the number of cars entering the zone decreased by about eight percent, with fewer personal vehicles making the trip. However, the share of taxis and for-hire vehicles increased.
Despite the initial challenges, the program is expected to evolve and adapt. INRIX suggests that the congestion pricing program is beginning to work as intended, with some areas showing reduced travel times. The program aims to reduce 80,000 trips per day in the congestion relief zone and hopes to relieve traffic by 10 percent in the zone. As the program continues, further analysis will be conducted to evaluate its impact on traffic and travel patterns.