The first congestion pricing program in the United States will begin in New York City on June 30, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced on Friday, signaling the possible end of a bitter fight over a plan that promises to ease some of the worst traffic in the nation.
With months still to go before the program’s scheduled rollout, legal and political clashes still threaten to dilute or stop it altogether. A growing number of opponents — including Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey, influential unions and some elected New York City officials — have ratcheted up a long-running effort to keep congestion pricing from taking effect.
The authority, which operates the city’s mass transit system, also said on Friday that it had opened an application portal for the program’s highly coveted discounts and exemptions. A website will guide drivers on who qualifies and how to apply.
Under the program, most passenger cars will be charged $15 a day to enter a congestion zone below 60th Street in Manhattan. Trucks would pay $24 or $36, depending on their size. Taxi fares would increase by $1.25, and Uber and Lyft fares would rise by $2.50.
