The climate benefits of NYC’s hard-won congestion pricing plan

After months — and, for some, years — of anticipation, congestion pricing is live in New York City. 

The controversial policy, which essentially makes it more expensive to drive into the busiest part of Manhattan, has been floated as a way to reduce traffic and raise money for the city’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs the city’s subways and buses, since the 1970s. But it wasn’t until 2017 that it seemed like it might finally catch on. 

Still, getting it implemented has been an uphill battle.