NYC Congestion pricing is now officially in effect

Congestion pricing has gone into effect in New York City this week after months of delay. 

Congestion pricing in New York City, New York went into effect on January 5th and has been in place for almost a week, leaving many smaller trucking companies worried about the long-term effects of the increased cost of delivering to the city. 

Companies like Lightning Express Delivery say that they will soon need to add a surcharge to deliveries to NYC, which make up about 20% of their business, reported Spectrum News 1.

“After looking at our couple routes the last couple of days, it’s not going to be enough,” said owner Joe Fitzpatrick. “So we’re going to have to raise that and who knows if we’re going to lose customers or business or stop doing business in New York City?” 

The toll is intended to reduce air and noise pollution, as well as free up streets for public transit and other essential vehicles. 

“If anything, they’re going to see increases in their revenues because they have to drive and they’re not going to be competing with road space so they can actually drive around faster,” David Banks, a lecturer of geography and planning at the University of Albany, said of the businesses left to use the less-crowded roadways. 

“Bigger corporations, they have the volume going into New York City,” Fitzpatrick said. “They could probably absorb it, or charge very little of a surcharge. But something compared to me where, $14.60 a pop adds up real quick.” 

The Trucking Association of New York is still hoping to overturn the current pricing of the toll, claiming that it unfairly targets trucking companies.