In Brief
Posted: 9:46 AM PST · January 4, 2025
Anthony Ha
New York City’s congestion pricing is scheduled to take effect on Sunday, but for the first month, Lyft said it will be crediting riders who pay the fee.
Background on Congestion Pricing in New York City
New York’s program, which aims to reduce traffic in lower Manhattan while also raising funding for mass transit, was paused by Governor Kathy Hochul in June. The program was eventually reinstated at a reduced price. There are different prices for different vehicles at different times – during daytime hours, it will cost $9 to drive a regular car in Manhattan below 60th Street. For ride-hailing services like Uber or Lyft, the fee will be $1.50 per ride.
Lyft’s Response to Congestion Pricing
Lyft passengers will be charged like everyone else, but the company said that throughout January, they’ll get the money back in credits that can be spent on Lyft or Citi Bike for the following week. Lyft also noted that the new fee comes on top of an existing $2.75 congestion fee for rides that begin, end, or pass through Manhattan below 96th Street.
A Small Gesture to Help People Adjust
Lyft described the credit as "a small gesture to help people adjust to another new expense — even as we work to reduce the overall cost of rides." This move by Lyft is likely an attempt to mitigate the impact of congestion pricing on its riders and maintain customer satisfaction.
Key Points to Note
- The congestion fee will be $1.50 per ride for ride-hailing services like Uber or Lyft.
- Lyft passengers will receive credits that can be spent on Lyft or Citi Bike for the following week throughout January.
- The new fee comes on top of an existing $2.75 congestion fee for rides that begin, end, or pass through Manhattan below 96th Street.
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