# We fought for congestion pricing and won. Here are the lessons from our movement. *Published:* 2026-09-22 *Author:* Joe Liesman - Congestion relief in NYC faced fierce opposition, lawsuits, and political delays before implementation, but 18 months in, results speak for themselves: traffic down 11%, rush-hour speeds up 23%, PM2.5 down 22% in the zone, and public support nearly doubled (32% to 42% in three months) - The program’s revenue is funding transit accessibility upgrades at 23+ subway stations and $105 million in place-based pollution mitigation for overburdened communities - Key lesson: measure everything from day one—establish baselines, track outcomes, and publish results regularly to counter skepticism with evidence - Building a broad, unlikely coalition (including industry groups and younger, social-media-savvy voices) helped strengthen both the policy and the public narrative - Implementation isn’t the finish line—opponents keep filing lawsuits, so sustained organizing and messaging remain essential to protect the win long-term To the planners, scientists, cyclists, and countless other advocates working to bring congestion relief programs to their home city for safer streets, cleaner air, and better, more accessible transit: there is a way. And it’s worth fighting for. Looking at the congestion relief program in New York today, it’s easy to assume the program was always destined to succeed. The benefits are broad, effective, and [actively changing](https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nyc-congestion-pricing-support-grows/6165502/) public perception. But even looking back to a year-and-a-half ago, when the congestion relief program was in its nascent stages, it was a very different picture. At nearly every stage of the fight to bring the program to our city, we faced a combination of fierce opposition, good-faith skepticism, bureaucratic hurdles, lawsuits, and political delays that threatened to derail years of work. Even after the program was approved, there were moments it seemed like it might never take effect. But that uphill battle also revealed what it takes to turn a bold idea into successful public policy. It showed us how to build a resilient movement and keep the public focused on what the program would actually deliver: less traffic, safer streets, cleaner air, and more investments in public transit. The congestion relief program is a case study in persistence: had we accepted a speculative narrative that the policy would be too unpopular, too politically risky, or too difficult to implement, New Yorkers wouldn’t be enjoying the numerous benefits they are now. So, to advocates in cities nationwide who are considering similar policies, we offer some friendly, unsolicited advice: **Let the data speak for itself** --------------------------------- As soon as the cameras switched on in the congestion relief zone, the benefits started stacking up. Traffic entering the Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ) is down 11% and morning rush hour speeds are up 23% on average, [as of January 2026](https://www.mta.info/document/195631). It’s easier to get in and out of the city, [ambulances reach the hospital quicker](https://gothamist.com/news/every-second-counts-congestion-pricing-speeds-up-ambulances-in-manhattan-study-finds), and [car crashes are less frequent](https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/news/congestion-relief-zone-results-after-year-one-suggest-notable-road-safety-benefits). In just a year and a half, congestion relief has delivered tangible benefits for New York City’s residents and commuters. And the gains extend far beyond drivers who waste less time in traffic. Buses are moving faster, and transit ridership is up. According to a recent study published in [Nature](https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2025/12/congestion-pricing-improved-air-quality-nyc-and-suburbs), levels of harmful fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were down 22% in the CRZ within the first six months. And the [Department of Health](https://a816-dohbesp.nyc.gov/IndicatorPublic/data-features/congestion-pricing-report/) just found that pollution in the Congestion Relief Zone and in surrounding communities has held steady or declined while revenue from the program is being invested to improve air quality in overburdened communities across our city. Even honking noise complaints have [plummeted](https://www.thecityreporter.nyc/2025/03/11/traffic-noise-complaints-drop-congestion-pricing/). The program is also funding desperately needed transit updates, including accessibility upgrades at more than [23 subway stations](https://www.mta.info/agency/bridges-and-tunnels/congestion-relief-zone/better-transit#:~:text=%242%20billion%20for%20accessibility%20improvements%20to%2023%2B%20subway%20stations), making transit more equitable for people of all abilities Congestion relief is also funding [$105 million](https://www.mta.info/document/210421) in place-based mitigation, money that’s channeled directly into local communities from the Bronx to New Jersey to fight pollution. All of these benefits are reasons why advocates should make measurement part of their campaigns from the beginning. Establish clear baselines before implementation. Track the outcomes people care about and publish the results regularly. The best defense against unfounded pessimism is evidence-based pragmatism. **Don’t be deterred by skeptics — and have fun** ------------------------------------------------ Outside a relatively small circle of policy experts and transit advocates, the congestion relief program wasn’t always seen as a slam-dunk idea. In fact, only 32% of city residents were in favor of the program before it was implemented. A skeptical news media only reinforced the doom-and-gloom narrative. But we also knew that plenty of people who opposed the program had experienced stagnant buses and polluted air; in other words, even the critics stood to benefit from the program. It was faith in the program, and trust that New Yorkers would come to recognize the benefits for themselves, that kept us pushing for a congestion relief zone. Sure enough, people quickly came around: just three months after congestion relief went into effect, [support was already up to 42%](https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nyc-congestion-pricing-support-grows/6165502/). Congestion relief has now become largely accepted as part of the fabric of the city, keeping buses on time (or early!), making our streets safer, calmer, and quieter, and funding needed transit improvement projects along the way. **Build a bigger tent** ----------------------- Congestion pricing is transportation policy, but its effects extend into nearly every aspect of urban life. Traffic determines whether a package arrives on schedule, whether the air is safe to breathe, and whether someone gets home in time for dinner. Because congestion touches so many parts of daily life, our coalition reached well beyond the traditional transit advocacy community. We brought together [unlikely allies](https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/nyc-congestion-pricing-coalitions/805432/), including a railcar manufacturer, a construction association, and countless public transit advocates. Each group contributed something others could not, whether technical expertise, political credibility, organizing capacity, or a direct connection to affected communities. That diversity made our movement stronger and helped improve the final policy by ensuring that accessibility, affordability, and accountability remained central to the conversation. Building a broad coalition also meant listening to younger stakeholders and meeting people where they were. One of the most important lessons they reinforced was simple: have fun. Memes, influencer content, and rapid-response posts were not just ways to find humor in a serious policy debate. They helped bring congestion pricing into the cultural conversation, explain complicated issues in accessible terms, counter misinformation quickly, and give supporters content they could easily share. And when the wins began to happen, we celebrated them publicly with [social media posts](https://x.com/FundTransitNow/status/2009717099250282876), [influencer collaborations](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sjiNWGP_tec), and [podcast episodes](https://www.volts.wtf/p/nycs-congestion-pricing-has-been). The lesson for advocates in other cities is clear: Build a bigger tent. Look beyond your usual networks, industries, and age groups, because congestion affects far more people than you might expect. And if your policy affects Gen Z, there is a good chance they’ll first encounter it on Instagram. **It’s a marathon, not a sprint** --------------------------------- Congestion pricing remains in NYC because we recognize that no victory or loss is permanent, and that long-term policy is the result of persistent advocacy. Legislative approval in 2019 was not the end of the campaign, nor was the installation of tolling infrastructure or the announcement of a start date. At every point, opponents looked for ways to delay, weaken, or eliminate the program. Advocates must remain incredibly vigilant and consistent in their messaging: it will take a sustained effort to make your argument break through and stick, both before and after any program is actually implemented. Fortunately, we had a committed team that never lost faith in the possibility of congestion relief. We wouldn’t be here without organizers who helped communities understand what congestion relief would mean for them, and elevated their feedback to every level of government. Advocates fought tirelessly for months, and their sustained effort turned what critics called a pipe dream into policy. But the work is not over. Even now that the cameras are on and the benefits are making their impact, opponents continue to file lawsuits against the program. Congestion relief will only endure if we remain just as organized and vocal after implementation as we were before it. Our coalition hasn’t backed down, and we don’t plan to. To advocates working toward congestion relief elsewhere, New York’s program is proof that public opinion can change, political obstacles can be overcome, and a determined coalition can turn a controversial idea into a smashing success. With a strong coalition at your back, the sky’s the limit.