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MTA: Submit congestion toll waiver applications now as tolling begins January 5th

Posted on by Lucas
MTA: Submit congestion toll waiver applications now as tolling begins January 5th

As congestion pricing begins January 5 in Lower Manhattan, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is accepting applications for income-based, disability-based and other waivers and discounts from eligible drivers and organizations.

Although applications are accepted on a rolling basis, the MTA recommends that qualified individuals and organizations submit their applications as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary tolls.

“We urge everyone to apply now because even if you know you are eligible for a discount or exemption, if you are not granted that discount or exemption by January 5, you will pay the congestion relief zone toll. until it is granted,” he told Charlie Zhen, an MTA community engagement officer, during a recent online webinar.

Application processing times for individuals vary depending on the details of the case, and there is no guarantee that an application submitted now will be processed before Jan. 5, according to MTA spokesman Ray Raimundi. Organizations must apply by Sunday to ensure their exemptions are processed before tolling begins.

The list of exemptions is limited and most drivers must pay the non-discounted rate, which is charged once per day, per vehicle entering Manhattan below 60th Street. The standard fare is $9 for passenger vehicles entering above 60th Street or over a bridge, $7.50 for vehicles entering from the Queens-Midtown or Hugh L. Carey tunnels, and $6 for vehicles traveling through the Lincoln or Holland tunnels. After 9 p.m., passenger vehicles pay $2.25 regardless of where they enter Lower Manhattan.

Drivers are charged higher rates ($13.50 for most passenger vehicles) if they do not use E-ZPass, and E-ZPass is required to apply for most discounts and waivers.

Low-income drivers may be eligible for a 50% discount after their 10th trip in a calendar month. To qualify for the MTA Low-Income Discount Plan, vehicle owners must demonstrate an adjusted gross income of less than $50,000 in the prior year or provide proof of participation in a federal anti-poverty program. These programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) or the Temporary Aid to Needy Families Program (TANF).

Drivers can apply for the low-income discount program on the MTA website or by mail, although the MTA also recommends online applications.

Residents of Manhattan below 60th Street can receive a tax credit that will reimburse them for the total amount of tolls paid under the program if they demonstrate an adjusted gross income of less than $60,000. To receive the credit, residents must report the tolls they paid when filing their annual tax return using Form IT-268.

According to the MTA, qualified individuals with a disability are fully exempt from congestion pricing. To qualify, applicants must either have a valid New York City Disability Parking Permit, be enrolled in the MTA’s Access-A-Ride program, or be assessed at an MTA assessment center.

Once an applicant has demonstrated eligibility, they can request an exemption for their own vehicle or that of another person, such as a caregiver. According to the MTA, caregivers are only eligible for the ride exemption if they are driving the person with a disability in Lower Manhattan.

Drivers can apply for individual disability waiver plans on the MTA website or by mail.

Additional exemptions from the congestion charge apply to emergency vehicles, commuter buses, government vehicles and organizations that transport people with disabilities.

For more information, visit mta.info/discounts.

The non-reduced toll rate is scheduled to increase to $12 for regular passenger vehicles in 2028 and to $15 in 2031.

As congestion pricing begins January 5 in Lower Manhattan, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is accepting applications for income-based, disability-based and other waivers and discounts from eligible drivers and organizations.

Although applications are accepted on a rolling basis, the MTA recommends that qualified individuals and organizations submit their applications as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary tolls.

“We urge everyone to apply now because even if you know you are eligible for a discount or exemption, if you are not granted that discount or exemption by January 5, you will pay the congestion relief zone toll. until it is granted,” he told Charlie Zhen, an MTA community engagement officer, during a recent online webinar.

Application processing times for individuals vary depending on the details of the case, and there is no guarantee that an application submitted now will be processed before Jan. 5, according to MTA spokesman Ray Raimundi. Organizations must apply by Sunday to ensure their exemptions are processed before tolling begins.

The list of exemptions is limited and most drivers must pay the non-discounted rate, which is charged once per day, per vehicle entering Manhattan below 60th Street. The standard fare is $9 for passenger vehicles entering above 60th Street or over a bridge, $7.50 for vehicles entering from the Queens-Midtown or Hugh L. Carey tunnels, and $6 for vehicles traveling through the Lincoln or Holland tunnels. After 9 p.m., passenger vehicles pay $2.25 regardless of where they enter Lower Manhattan.

Drivers are charged higher rates ($13.50 for most passenger vehicles) if they do not use E-ZPass, and E-ZPass is required to apply for most discounts and waivers.

Low-income drivers may be eligible for a 50% discount after their 10th trip in a calendar month. To qualify for the MTA Low-Income Discount Plan, vehicle owners must demonstrate an adjusted gross income of less than $50,000 in the prior year or provide proof of participation in a federal anti-poverty program. These programs include the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) or the Temporary Aid to Needy Families Program (TANF).

Drivers can apply for the low-income discount program on the MTA website or by mail, although the MTA also recommends online applications.

Residents of Manhattan below 60th Street can receive a tax credit that will reimburse them for the total amount of tolls paid under the program if they demonstrate an adjusted gross income of less than $60,000. To receive the credit, residents must report the tolls they paid when filing their annual tax return using Form IT-268.

According to the MTA, qualified individuals with a disability are fully exempt from congestion pricing. To qualify, applicants must either have a valid New York City Disability Parking Permit, be enrolled in the MTA’s Access-A-Ride program, or be assessed at an MTA assessment center.

Once an applicant has demonstrated eligibility, they can request an exemption for their own vehicle or that of another person, such as a caregiver. According to the MTA, caregivers are only eligible for the ride exemption if they are driving the person with a disability in Lower Manhattan.

Drivers can apply for individual disability waiver plans on the MTA website or by mail.

Additional exemptions from the congestion charge apply to emergency vehicles, commuter buses, government vehicles and organizations that transport people with disabilities.

The non-reduced toll rate is scheduled to increase to $12 for regular passenger vehicles in 2028 and to $15 in 2031.