New Yorkers that Support Congestion Pricing Continues to Rise
The results of the survey of 1,203 registered voters in New York State completed by Morning Consult showed that “a majority of New Yorkers” have already witnessed positive results in the first four weeks since the launch of the congestion pricing program in Manhattan according to the press release by the Partnership for New York City (PFNYC). Among the respondents of the survey taken from January 31 through February 3, 2025, six in 10 (59%) say congestion pricing should continue. While overall support for the tolling program remains similar to that of a December 2024 Siena poll, with Morning Consult’s results indicating 27% support and 47% oppose, there was a rise in “support among New York City voters to 37% versus Siena’s 32%. “There are also higher levels of support among adults who drive into the central district a few times per week or more — 66% support at the high, with 47% support at the low among adults who take public transit at least a few times each week, with a strong agreement ranging from 39% to 41% that congestion pricing has led to faster commutes into and out of Manhattan, as well as within Manhattan. Furthermore, the city’s Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) within the congestion pricing zone saw an increase in foot traffic of 4.6%, or about 1.5 million more people year-over-year in January, contrary to speculation by some business owners that fewer vehicles would mean fewer people according to new data collected by the New York City Economic Development Corp. and shared with Crain’s New York. Another positive sign that further negated concerns was the data released by The Broadway League. The trade association that monitors the “The Great White Way” industry revealed that Broadway attendance “spiked during the last three weeks of January” by 17% and generated revenue rose 25% year-over-year.
Although data remains preliminary, it “is painting an early picture of the impact of the toll on Manhattan’s busiest streets.” In confirmation of its positive impact, an op-ed in Crain’s New York by Samara Kayasyk, the President and CEO of the Hudson Square Business Improvement District speaks of reports by business owners within the district of a noticeable reduction in traffic heading toward the Holland Tunnel, helping to ease the congestion on the roadways in the neighborhood that typically halt to a grinding stop around 3 p.m. as “vehicles queue for their turn to enter New Jersey through the Holland Tunnel.” Samara further commented that the potential for Hudson Square to evolve into a more pedestrian-friendly destination, with less traffic dominating the district’s streets, people will be more likely to wander the district and discover the neighborhood’s “vibrant array of restaurants, cultural institutions, and public art — something crucial for local businesses; and although congestion pricing is still in the early days, “the initial signs of what is happening in Hudson Square demonstrate that smart urban policies can create immediate, tangible benefits for communities.”
Source: https://www.crainsnewyork.com/transportation/congestion-pricing-zone-business-foot-traffic
Source: https://www.crainsnewyork.com/op-ed/op-ed-congestion-pricing-breath-fresh-air-neighborhood