New York City has become the first U.S. city to implement congestion pricing, aimed at reducing downtown traffic and improving air quality. Starting August 2025, drivers entering Manhattan south of 60th Street will pay $15 during peak hours.
The city’s transportation department says the policy is expected to generate $1 billion annually, which will fund subway improvements. Environmental advocates and urban planners have praised the move, while some drivers and delivery companies have expressed concerns.
Urban mobility experts in Dhaka and Kathmandu suggest a modified version of congestion pricing could help tackle rising traffic congestion in South Asian capitals as well.