Despite assurances that congestion pricing would alleviate Manhattan’s traffic woes, Staten Island residents are feeling the brunt of the changes, with significant increases in both vehicle and truck traffic since the program went into effect in January 2024.
According to recent data analyzed by the Staten Island Advance/SILIve.com, the Goethals Bridge experienced a notable uptick of 15% in truck traffic and a 3% rise in car traffic within the same period.
In raw numbers, these percentages translate to an additional 18,490 trucks and 41,675 cars traversing Staten Island’s routes when comparing January 2024 to January 2025.
This surge in traffic was something the MTA had cautioned about while formulating the congestion pricing initiative, stating specifically that Staten Island could see a rise in vehicle numbers along with associated pollution.
Already beset by heavy traffic congestion, Staten Islanders are understandably frustrated at the prospect of even more vehicles clogging their roadways.
Furthermore, analysis of traffic patterns has shown that average speeds on a particular stretch of the Staten Island Expressway, specifically the Brooklyn-bound side between Clove Road and Fingerboard Road, have decreased significantly in the months following the implementation of congestion pricing.
Data reveals that in January 2024, vehicles were averaging speeds of 52.6 MPH on that section, but by April 2025, this number plummeted to 42.3 MPH.
While these statistics paint a bleak picture for Staten Island drivers, they also form a crucial part of the ongoing discussion around the effectiveness and fairness of the congestion pricing policy.
In addition, earlier reports have indicated that bridge traffic overall has risen since the congestion pricing was rolled out.
In the first two months of 2024, traffic figures for the Verrazzano Bridge showed that 408,430 vehicles crossed.
The same two-month frame in 2025 noted an increase to 410,915 vehicles, which results in 2,485 more vehicles navigating the bridge.
While that figure was lower than some traffic increase forecasts, it did little to ease the concerns of Staten Islanders already accustomed to enduring significant road congestion.
Despite these challenges, there are positive notes to be found amid the ongoing transportation issues.
Data indicates that express bus travel times have improved, offering some relief to the commuting public in Staten Island.
Additionally, certain city crossings have seen average travel times during rush hours reduced by as much as 15 minutes, particularly at the Holland Tunnel.
However, the picture isn’t entirely rosy.
In the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel, average travel times during weekday mornings appear to have remained steady, closely mirroring pre-congestion pricing conditions.
Even more alarming, evening rush hour statistics on Fridays show little to no improvement when compared to data collected prior to the implementation of the pricing plan.
On specific days, like Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, some progress has been made, with travel times reported to be two to four minutes faster.
Taking the overall impact into account, however, many are questioning whether the $9 fee imposed on drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street is truly justified given the observed traffic challenges facing Staten Island.
While the congestion pricing measure has produced benefits for Manhattan, the experience of Staten Islanders offers a stark reminder of the unintended consequences policies can bring.
As traffic patterns evolve, it’s essential to address these complexities to ensure that all communities share equally in the benefits of urban planning initiatives.
image source from：https://www.silive.com/news/2025/06/told-you-so-staten-island-traffic-worse-as-congestion-pricing-benefits-manhattan-opinion.html
