New January 5 rule forces drivers to pay $21 to use certain roads – you can save if you plan ahead

Drivers who plan ahead will benefit from a new law that will go into effect on January 5 and require them to pay up to $21 to access specific roadways.

In 2025, New York City plans to implement congestion pricing, which could have a significant effect on commuters and other frequent drivers. Even users of Uber, Lyft, and taxis may have to pay more.

The Federal Highway Administration has approved the long-awaited plan, which will enable the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to impose tolls on cars entering Manhattan below 60th Street.

The concept would see toll prices vary throughout the day and on different days of the week in an effort to alleviate the city’s traffic congestion and enhance public transportation services.

For instance, vehicles will pay the highest tolls between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays and between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekends.

Outside of peak hours, tolls are typically 75% less expensive. Most cars must pay $9 to enter the congestion zone.

Taxis will charge $0.75 every ride, while rideshare passengers using Uber or Lyft will pay an additional $1.50 per ride.

However, a planned $3 discount will be applied to any passenger cars that enter the zone through the Manhattan tunnels during peak hours.

During peak hours, truck prices range from $14.40 to an eye-watering $21.60, depending on their size.

The levy, which is scheduled to go into effect on January 5, 2025, will apply to cars entering the Manhattan zone, which includes local streets and avenues at or below 60th Street close to Central Park.

Drivers traveling through the borough on the FDR and West Side Highways, however, will not be assessed a fee.

Additional exclusions include buses with regular public routes or city school contracts, emergency cars, specialty city vehicles, vehicles transporting disabled individuals, and some low-income commuters.

Additionally, drivers with modest incomes qualify for tax rebates and discounts.

The new plan is modeled after similar ones in Singapore, London, Stockholm, Milan, and other cities across the world.

The majority of the funds collected from tolls will go toward improving the city’s bus and subway systems.

Because gantries are already in place at the entry points into the congestion zone, the majority of tolls will be collected by an E-ZPass.

Drivers who use their vehicles without an E-ZPass have been informed that they will receive a statement in the mail and will be required to pay a higher fee.

This comes as a new parking legislation in California has angered drivers by imposing fines on those who park within 20 feet of crosswalks that are either marked or unmarked.

Finding parking spaces in well-known locations like San Francisco will undoubtedly become much more difficult as a result of the verdict.

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