E-ZPass NY website flooded on 1st day of workweek congestion pricing

NEW YORK – The E-ZPass New York website pushed users to a waiting room on the first workday when New York City’s new congestion pricing toll was in effect.

“The E-ZPass NY website is currently experiencing higher than normal activity,” E-ZPass NY said on its website around 9:45 a.m. but was accessible around 10:20 a.m.

The MTA has advised drivers to update their E-ZPass accounts before entering the toll zones, as drivers without their current license plates linked will face much more expensive tolls by mail.

Most drivers pay $9 to enter Manhattan’s zone, but tolls by mail tack on an extra $5, a $13 total.

What is congestion pricing?

Congestion pricing is an electronic tolling system that charges vehicles for entering Manhattan’s Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ) — the area below 60th Street, excluding certain highways like the FDR Drive and West Side Highway. The program aims to:

• Reduce gridlock in Manhattan’s busiest areas.
• Encourage public transit use.
• Fund approximately $15 billion in transit infrastructure improvements.

Congestion pricing map

Vehicles entering the Manhattan zone, which are local streets and avenues at or below 60 Street – near Central Park – will be charged a toll.

This map shows the proposed zone for New York City congestion pricing.

How does it work?

Most tolls will be collected through E-ZPass, thanks to gantries already set up at the congestion zone entry points.

Drivers without an E-ZPass will be mailed a bill and forced to pay a higher rate.