The Final Answer to "When is Enough, Enough?": The Congestion Relief Zone Toll

Despite the astounding diversity of people through their professions, political opinions, and lifestyle in New York City, one pressing question echoes across all five boroughs: "When is enough, enough?" With violent subway crimes on the rise, many New Yorkers feel abandoned by their local and state government.

Now, the Congestion Relief Zone Toll, also known as the Congestion Pricing Program, presents a final chance for Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams to rebuild the trust of NYC’s residents. Since taking office, both leaders have pledged to implement transformative safety measures to restore public confidence in the subway system and offer peace of mind to daily commuters. Yet, these promises have amounted to little more than empty commitments.

Governor Hochul's most high-profile and controversial effort to curb subway crime initially involved deploying the New York National Guard, recently adding to those already stationed at local stations through Joint Task Force - Empire Shield [JTF-ES]. Despite these efforts, however, the problem persists. As FOX5 News reported based on MTA crime statistics, "On the subway and mass transit, felony assaults were up 65% from 2019 to 2024...In 2019, 374 felony assaults were reported, while in 2024, 579 were reported."

These figures represent more than just numbers, they tell the stories of mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters who left their home that day for their ordinary commute, only to become a victim to a traumatic event. In December 2024, The New York Times highlighted a disturbing series of violent incidents, including a woman who was burned alive while sleeping on the F train, the fatal stabbing of an MTA worker in the Bronx, and a man pushed onto the tracks as a train approached in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. Such tragedies continue fueling widespread discontent among New Yorkers, and with New York reported as the state with one of the heaviest tax burden and highest income tax rates, according to Intuit TurboTax, many are beginning to ask hard questions about where their tax dollars are truly going.

Adding fuel to the fire is the Congestion Relief Zone Toll, which charges thousands of vehicles entering lower Manhattan $9 during peak hours, which according to the MTA, applies to sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, and small vans. For many, especially those living paycheck to paycheck, this toll represents an additional financial strain. Among those affected are city employees, first responders, and medical professionals who often drive into Manhattan during times when public transit options are limited.

The City of New York has stated that Congestion Pricing Program will "Reduce traffic and travel time, lead to safer streets and cleaner air, reduce emissions, and improve quality of life." The MTA provided that "Congestion Pricing makes for better transit," and that "The 2019 state law directing the MTA to implement Congestion Pricing specified that 80% of the revenue, or $12 billion, be spent on capital improvements to the subway and bus system, and $1.5 billion be spent on each of LIRR and Metro-North." On paper, this appears to be a tremendous investment into the public transportation system, one that would transform the lives of all NYC residents. However, actions speak louder than words, and 2025 will be the first representation of such intentions.

In a city that never sleeps, its people have grown weary of waiting for change that never comes. The Congestion Relief Zone Toll is more than a policy, it’s a crossroads for accountability, where words must finally give way to action. The stakes couldn’t be higher, either a safer, more reliable transit system that could restore trust in public institutions, or failure that would deepen the skepticism of millions who already feel unheard and overburdened.