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NEW YORK CITY — Traffic has continued to decrease in the New York City congestion relief zone following eight months of congestion pricing in August, Governor Kathy Hochul and MTA officials announced on Tuesday.
August saw nearly 2.7 million fewer vehicles than the baseline average enter the congestion relief zone, a 14 percent reduction. August was level with June for the largest vehicle reduction seen so far in 2025.
“With summer coming to an end, the benefits of congestion pricing are clearer than ever,” Hochul said. “This program has been nothing short of transformational, making streets safer, reducing gridlock across the region, and unlocking generational upgrades to mass transit, benefitting millions. Congestion pricing is working, it is legal, and the cameras are staying on.”
According to the governor’s office, the number of vehicles entering the zone is down by 12 percent since congestion pricing started. Every day, 87,000 fewer vehicles enter the zone, and since the program started, 17.6 million fewer vehicles have entered the zone compared to last year.
In addition, congestion pricing has helped reduce gridlock on bridges and tunnels crossing the East River and Hudson River, making commutes faster. Every crossing entering the congestion relief zone has seen morning peak travel times reduced in 2025 when compared to 2024, officials said.
Reduced gridlock has improved quality of life in the city — traffic injuries are down by 15 percent in the zone.
“In less than a year, New Yorkers are seeing massive benefits from congestion relief, including new rail cars, dozens of ADA elevators and signal modernization. This initiative has demonstrated that government can do big things that deliver results — less traffic, safer streets, and improved quality of life for transit users, drivers and pedestrians alike,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said.
Next month, there will be a federal court hearing that could decide the future of congestion pricing. The Trump administration has previously called for the state to shut off congestion pricing cameras.
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