The cost of Manhattan congestion pricing and exemptions are still undecided following the second meeting of a panel whose members will make recommendations on fees and groups who do not have to pay.

ā€œWe want to keep the base toll as low as we possibly can,ā€ Carl Weisbrod, the chairman of the Traffic Mobility Review Board, said after the meeting. ā€œThat means, the fewer special cases, the fewer exemptions, the fewer possibilities that are going to raise the toll,ā€ Weisbrod said.

In this second meeting, members got details about how exemptions ā€” like deducting bridges and tunnels tolls drivers pay from their congestion fee ā€” will affect the price. The more exemptions and discounts, the greater the toll will be for every driver.


What You Need To Know

  • The members of the Traffic Mobility Review Board will recommend to MTA board members a toll price and any exemptions for the upcoming Manhattan congestion pricing fee

  • The toll price could range from $9 to $23 during peak weekday travel times

  • The MTA plans to have congestion pricing live this spring

Transit union leader and board member John Samuelsen backed exemptions for some drivers, like cabbies ā€” earning him applause from the taxi drivers in the audience.

ā€œWe should figure out a way to build it into the structure, put our minds together and figure out how the drivers wonā€™t get shackled with the charge,ā€ Samuelsen said.

Meanwhile, supporters and opponents of congestion pricing held rallies throughout the day.

ā€œIt will deliver faster buses, cleaner air, safer streets and better transit options for New Yorkers,ā€ Elizabeth Adams of Transportation Alternatives said at a rally outside City Hall.

Taxi drivers rallied outside of MTA headquarters for exemptions from congestion pricing.

ā€œA lot of guys are going to drop these medallions like hot potatoes,ā€ taxi driver Nick Skafidas told NY1. ā€œYouā€™ll see less cabs in the street and thatā€™s gonna be the end of the taxi industry.ā€

Weisbrod, the chair of the Traffic Mobility Review Board, said there will be at least one more meeting, but he did not have a date to expect their toll and exemption recommendations to the MTA board, which has the final vote.

But they are on a schedule ā€” the MTA plans to have congestion pricing go live this spring.