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It’s been one week since Congestion Relief Zone tolling went into effect, and while it’s too soon to make any definitive statements, the data from the past week—along with the many anecdotes and photos we’ve seen of less traffic in the Congestion Relief Zone—is promising.
The short version: Fewer vehicles are entering Manhattan’s Central Business District, and those who are driving into the CBD are saving time. Read on for more details.

Traffic in the Central Business District has decreased.
When seasonally adjusted for January and compared to traffic levels at the same time last year, traffic decreased by almost 8%, with about 219,000 fewer vehicles entering the zone between Monday and Friday.

Drivers are saving time traveling in and to the CBD.
For those who are driving into the Central Business District, trip times have improved. This is especially true for inbound river crossings, which saw a 30% to 40% reduction in travel times compared to the same period in 2024. Trip times also decreased considerably on Manhattan streets and avenues in the afternoon, the busiest time of the day.

Less traffic means better bus speeds.
Buses are moving faster, especially in the morning peak. Express Bus riders in particular—many of whom travel across the East or Hudson Rivers into Manhattan—are seeing improvements. The SIM24, which runs between the south shore of Staten Island to Midtown Manhattan, actually shaved seven minutes off of the time it typically takes crossing the Lincoln Tunnel.

View our full rundown of Week One data on our website. We will continue to provide data updates and will have fuller insights in mid-February—stay tuned.
Learn moreFor general information about congestion pricing and the Congestion Relief Zone, visit congestionreliefzone.mta.info.If you have questions about E-ZPass or applying for a discount or exemption plan, please call E-ZPass NY Customer Service at 800-333-8655.
A Message from Acting Commissioner Willow Baer on Governor Hochul’s State of the State Address
Dear Friends and Colleagues, I’m excited to share some of the exciting initiatives announced earlier today as part of Governor Hochul’s annual State of the State address for 2025 that will impact people with developmental disabilities: Closing health equity gaps –The creation of Regional Health Clinics through capital grants awarded by OPWDD will enhance access to health services for people with developmental disabilities. Additionally, the implementation of new school programs to support students with mental health concerns, improved access to dental care, and free SUNY tuition for adults pursuing a career in nursing, will all help close health equity gaps in New York. Increasing employment opportunities – Expanding tax credits for businesses that hire people with disabilities will build on the State’s work toward making New York an Employment First State for people with disabilities. Modernizing research and memorializing our history – Modernizing and enhancing the capacity of the Institute for Basic Research and reimagining a Center for Learning on the former Willowbrook State School property are huge steps toward recognizing the campus’s historical significance on the developmental disabilities service system in New York and nationwide.As you know, the annual State of the State kicks off the Executive Budget process and I look forward to working with all of you in addressing and elevating issues important to New Yorkers with developmental disabilities.Sincerely,

Willow Baer
Acting Commissioner

its Budgets time

Governor Signs Disabilities Related Legislation Governor Kathy Hochul signed two pieces of legislation that passed the Senate and Assembly earlier this year. The bills, A.8560 and S.8679, are important to New York’s disabilities community.
 
A.8560 requires hospitals to ask patients if they have a disability that requires accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The questions are voluntary and seek to understand the nature of the person’s disability, if s/he is requesting reasonable accommodation, what that accommodation is and if the person wants to discuss the accommodation with their health care provider. The bill was sponsored by Assemblyman Chris Burdick and will take effect in March of 2025.
 
S.8679 requires the NYS Office of Children and Family Services to perform a study on the number of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in foster care. The NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities will consult on the study. The study will include an assessment of demographics of the children in foster care and an evaluation of current guidelines and regulations used to oversee placement and treatment of those children. The study will also include an analysis of the extent to which such age appropriate children are prepared for transition from foster care to an independent living situation. The bill takes effect immediately.


Minimum Wage Goes Up Narrowing The Gap Between Minimum Wage Work And What We Ask Of DSPS
The state’s minimum wage will increase from $16 an hour to $16.50 per hour in New York City, Long Island and Westchester County. For the rest of the state, it will increase from $15 to $15.50 an hour.

Feel free to contact the following elected officials to share your thoughts:

parks health housing DISABILITIES day hab transportation contact

Gov Hochul: 518-474-8390

Lt Gov Delgado: 518-402-2292

State Senator Jackson: 518-455-2041

Assembly member Taylor: 518-455-5491

U.S. Representative Espaillat: 212-497-5959

City council member De La Rosa: 212-788-7053

What you can do:

1 call Schumer’s office at 202-224-6542 

2 call your congressman, state legislators, and city councilmembers every day

REGISTER NOW


Do you receive NYS public benefits? SNAP, Temporary Assistance or Cash Assistance, homeless shelter, utility/rental assistance, or SSI? We’d like to know what works for you. Please take a few minutes to take the survey; your identity will remain anonymous: https://on.nyc.gov/4eDvTI2

Reduced-Fare OMNY cards are here!


Introducing the Reduced-Fare OMNY Card – your ticket to convenient, affordable transportation across New York City! Read on to learn more about switching over to OMNY and register for our webinar on all things Reduced-Fare OMNY on December 20. 

If you currently have a Reduced-Fare MetroCard, you can expect to automatically receive a new Reduced-Fare OMNY Card in the mail in December or January. 

Once you have received your new card, you can add value and tap to pay half price anytime at:

  • Subway turnstiles
  • Local, limited, or Select buses
  • Off-peak express buses
  • Staten Island Railway
  • Hudson Rail Link
  • Roosevelt Island Tram


Your new Reduced-Fare OMNY card has the same benefits as a MetroCard: You get the same free subway-to-bus and bus-to-bus transfers as before, and you can refill it at OMNY card vending machines in subway stations.

There are also new benefits:

  • Earn free rides when you ride a lot: Tap the same card for 12 rides within seven days and any additional rides within the seven days are automatically free. That means you won’t spend more than $17 in a week. (Note: taps on express buses and AirTrain JFK don’t count toward free rides.)
  • Add value to your card online or set your card to refill automatically with a free, optional OMNY account. Your account also lets you see how close you are to earning free weekly rides. Visit omny.info to set up an account and link your card.

Your Reduced-Fare MetroCard will work until the expiration date printed on the back. We recommend you continue swiping to use up any remaining value on your MetroCard, and then start tapping with your OMNY card. Check out this video to learn more about the Reduced-Fare OMNY card.

If you are not enrolled in the MTA’s Reduced-Fare program or have previously used a temporary Reduced-Fare MetroCard, we encourage you to sign up today! You can apply in person at our Customer Service Center at 3 Stone St in Lower Manhattan or by mail. Visit our website to learn more about how to apply.



If you have questions about your card, call OMNY customer service at 877-789-6669 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, or from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. 

The Central Business District Tolling Program received final approval from the federal government.On November 22, the federal government provided all necessary approvals for the Congestion Relief Zone toll to begin on January 5, 2025. Visit our website to read the NEPA Re-evaluation and the Value Pricing Pilot Program agreement.

Sign up for Congestion Relief Zone tolling webinars

Learn about the tolling program before it goes into effect on January 5

The MTA is hosting eight public webinars during the first three weeks of December where people can learn about Congestion Relief Zone tolling.

The 60-minute webinars will explain how the Congestion Relief Zone works, how the program benefits the region, discounts and exemptions, and what people need to know before tolling begins on Sunday, January 5. The sessions will also feature a Q&A. There will be one public webinar with a focus on the Individual Disability Exemption Plan (IDEP) and another on the Low-Income Discount Plan (LIDP).

Participants must register online prior to the start of the session(s) they wish to attend. Use these links to register for a session:

The MTA Accessibility team will be hosting another webinar focused on Congestion Pricing and the . Sign up for the webinar now and submit any questions.

Participants are invited to submit questions in advance of the webinars through the registration link. View answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Congestion Relief Zone tolling.

Starting on January 5, 2025, vehicles will be tolled to enter the Congestion Relief Zone in Manhattan—local streets and avenues at or below 60 Street excluding the FDR Drive, West Side Highway/Route 9A, and the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel connections to West Street. The toll amount will depend on the type of vehicle, time of day, whether any crossing credits apply, and the method of payment. Learn more about toll rates.

Make sure your current license plate is linked to your E-ZPass account to get the lower toll rate and any applicable crossing credits, discounts and exemptions when entering the Congestion Relief Zone. Learn more about discounts and exemptions.

For more information on the program, visit our Congestion Relief Zone tolling website.

 

MTA Releases Proposed 2025-2029 Capital Plan

$68.4 Billion Plan is the Largest State of Good Repair Investment in MTA History, With More Than 90% Dedicated to Rebuilding and Improving the System

Priorities include Order of 2,000 Railcars, More than 60 Newly Accessible Stations, and Modern Fare Gates at 150 Stations

Infrastructure Investments to Upgrade Outdated Power Systems, Rebuild 100-Year-Old Shops, and Rehabilitate Structures like the Grand Central Artery

Funding for Interborough Express Construction

View 2025-2029 Capital Plan

View Video of News Conference

View Photos of News Conference

View Maps of Planned Investments in New York City & Throughout the Region  

View Introductory Video to Capital Plan,

‘The Future Rides With Us’

full information

click mta capital 2025 2029

MTA To Hold Public Open Houses on the 2025 – 2029 Capital Plan

First Open House at Grand Central Terminal on Oct. 21

Read the 2025 – 2029 Capital Plan

View Introductory Video to Capital Plan, ‘The Future Rides With Us’

PATH – Proposed Fare Reduction for Qualifying Disabled Riders

register proposed  Port Authority  public hearing

“I applaud both Governor Hochul and Governor Murphy for taking the initiative to offer a reduced PATH fare for people with disabilities,” said New York state Chief Disability Officer Kimberly Hill. “This lower cost will enable New York’s disability community more access to reliable and convenient transportation.”

“Access to transportation is an issue that many New Yorkers with disabilities have struggled with for years,” said New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Acting Commissioner Willow Baer. “The reduced fare for the PATH system proposed by Governor Hochul will provide affordable access to reliable and accessible transportation for New Yorkers with disabilities who commute between New York and New Jersey.”

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