A year ago today, Jan. 5, congestion pricing went into effect for vehicles entering Manhattan south of 61st St. It marked a historic moment: New York became the first city this side of the Atlantic to implement such a program, joining London, Stockholm, Milan, Singapore and others.

We at Roosevelt House have studied data from a variety of sources and the topline findings are clear: the program is working. Vehicle entries to the Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ) are down, commute times on every major crossing into the zone have improved, and the program is generating dedicated funding for transit. This, despite a dozen lawsuits, predictions of businesses dying, and a presidential proclamation declaring it “DEAD.”

So what else have we learned after a full year? 

First, the economic fears have not materialized. NYC’s post-pandemic recovery continues. Broadway attendance is up 10% this season compared to last. Citywide sales tax revenue jumped 6.3% through November. Foot traffic in Business Improvement Districts inside the zone increased 5%, outpacing commercial areas elsewhere in the city.

© NY Daily News