Hello to all! Spring has sprung, the clocks have changed, and with warmer weather, the city feels as though it is also springing back to life. As we move into April, there’s a lot I have to update you on, so let’s jump right into it.
Since its implementation on January 5, 2025, New York City’s congestion pricing program has truly been a focal point of both local and federal dialogue. As you know, in late February, the Trump administration ordered a halt to the program, citing concerns over its impact on working-class commuters and the lack of a toll-free alternative.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote a letter directing New York to halt collecting the congestion price tolls by March 21st, leading to a legal standoff between the federal government and the state. A few days before the March 21st deadline, it was extended 30 days. Governor Kathy Hochul has remained steadfast in her support for the program, stating that the toll will continue until a court orders otherwise.
As I wrote last month, while it is possible that a judge could halt the program, the fact that it has already started and is showing some positive results, makes it very unlikely that a judge would do so. Furthermore, multiple legal experts have said that they believe that the Trump Administration will lose this case in Federal court, primarily because there are no rules or legal precedents that they can point to that authorize the federal government to reverse its approval.
Despite the political challenges, early data indicates that congestion pricing has yielded positive results. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) reported that the program raised approximately $52 million in toll revenue in February, bringing the total for the first two months to over $100 million. Additionally, traffic in Manhattan’s central business district decreased by 11%, and commute times improved by up to 30%. These metrics suggest that congestion pricing is effectively reducing traffic and enhancing mobility within the city. We will continue to monitor any developments on this issue and report news as it becomes available.
Moving onto some other news from New York State, starting April 16th, the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) will enforce new regulations aimed at ensuring license plates are fully visible and unobstructed. These measures are part of the city’s ongoing efforts to enhance public safety and uphold traffic laws, particularly as the presence of ghost plates, altered plates, and obscured plates has grown rampantly. Under the new rules, any obstruction of license plates—including dirt, rust, or plastic coverings—will result in a $50 fine. The regulations also ban distorted or fake plates and clarify that plates must be visible to both the human eye and cameras. This initiative seeks to prevent drivers from evading tolls and automated enforcement systems, thereby promoting fairness and safety on the roads. I would encourage everyone to read the press release from the DOT to get all the details!
On an exciting note, I am happy to announce that The Black Car Fund will be hosting its first Resource Fair for upstate drivers! On April 21st and 22nd, the North Tonawanda Football Hall of Fame near Buffalo will serve as the venue for our resource fairs! We are excited to provide this opportunity for upstate drivers and the day will be filled with important resources, door prizes and free raffles for our Covered Drivers. Due to the space constraints of the venue, RSVPs are required to attend these fairs! If you, or anyone you know is interested in attending, please click here to learn more and fill out the RSVP form!
Also, for those in and around New York City, our next downstate resource fair is already set for Monday, May 12th. At our last downstate resource fair, drivers went home with great prizes such as $200 gift cards to PepBoys and AutoZone, and Halo Bolt Ultimate 3 portable jump starters and air compressors. This next fair will be sure to be even better! You can RSVP for this fair by clicking here.
For both upcoming fairs, we’re also trying to make the RSVP process more fun and engaging. Any driver who refers five other drivers to RSVP will be entered in a special raffle for a dash camera. If you refer others, be sure they include your TLC or DMV number so that you get the credit! If you have any questions about our resource fairs, please do not hesitate to contact our Communications, Outreach, and Marketing team at COM@nybcf.org.
As we wrap up, don’t forget that we recently launched a new home page for our Driver Education Center. This page is a new, central location where drivers can learn about all the Earn While You Learn opportunities we offer, as well as sign up to take one of our classes. Head on over to https://learn.nybcf.org to check it out. Also, as of February 1st, we have increased the payment that we provide to drivers who complete our Wellness STEP class, from $150 to $250. This only applies to classes taken on or after 2/1/2025. As with all of our classes, you can complete this class and receive payment once every three years!
Until next time!
