Congestion Pricing Cuts Traffic Delays Across NYC and Surrounding Areas
The congestion pricing program currently active in Manhattan is delivering benefits beyond the city’s core, according to a new report from the Regional Plan Association (RPA). Since the implementation of the Central Business District Tolling Program (CBDTP) in January, not only has traffic lessened inside the Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ), but neighboring areas have also seen notable improvements.
The Bronx has experienced a 10% reduction in traffic delays, while 12 municipalities in Bergen County, New Jersey, are reporting a 14% decrease. These improvements highlight the regional impact of the program.
RPA’s findings are based on an analysis of traffic delay data from January through April 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. The organization also reviewed data prior to the program’s implementation. The data was sourced through a partnership with Waze, which provided insight into real-time traffic patterns.
“Our analysis shows that, contrary to pessimistic expectations, the congestion pricing program is not causing traffic to be diverted outside the Congestion Relief Zone,” said Rachel Weinberger, Vice President of Research Strategy at RPA. “Instead, as more people choose transit, trips to Manhattan by car are averted, resulting in less, not more traffic in the Bronx, Bergen County, and across the region. We see a reduction in traffic jams and increased overall time savings both within and outside the Zone.”
These results suggest that the congestion pricing strategy is proving effective at reducing regional traffic congestion while promoting greater use of public transit options.
