Inside NYC's Congestion Pricing Program

Inside NYC's Congestion Pricing Program

Author: Environmental Law Institute October 22, 2025 Duration: 54:29

As the first U.S city to implement a congestion pricing program, New York City has begun charging vehicles entering high-traffic areas of Manhattan a toll. With this initiative, NYC is testing what could be a consequential urban policy for transportation and climate at the municipal level. Ten months into the program, what have we learned?

In this episode of People Places Planet, host Sebastian Duque Rios speaks about congestion pricing with Robert Puentes, Vice President and Director of Brookings Metro; Rachel Weinberger, Vice President for Research Strategy and the Peter W. Herman Chair for Transportation at the Regional Plan Association; and Christine Billy, Adjunct Professor of Clinical Law at NYU and Executive Director of the Guarini Center. Together, they unpack NYC's congestion pricing program: why it was pursued, how it works, what early data suggests about its impacts, and the waves of legal challenges that the program has faced. 

In discussing how this innovative policy aims to rethink urban mobility, the conversation delves into how congestion pricing connects to broader environmental and public health goals, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and how it can present a model for other cities looking to fund and improve public transit. 

★ Support this podcast ★

Produced by the Environmental Law Institute, People Places Planet is a conversation grounded in the practical realities of environmental stewardship. This podcast moves beyond abstract theory to explore how laws, policies, and innovative governance models are actively applied. Each episode features discussions with practitioners, scientists, legal experts, and community leaders who are directly engaged in crafting and implementing solutions. You’ll hear nuanced analysis on the intersection of business, regulation, and education, focusing on tangible outcomes rather than just identifying problems. The dialogue consistently centers on how complex frameworks operate in the real world, affecting specific communities, ecosystems, and industries. Listening provides a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that drive environmental progress and the challenges that arise at the intersection of human activity and planetary health. It’s an essential resource for anyone curious about the foundational rules and creative strategies shaping our relationship with the environment, offering clarity on the legal and policy threads woven through every environmental issue. Tune in for thoughtful, expert-driven perspectives that connect the dots between policy texts and their impact on the ground.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

People Places Planet
Podcast Episodes
Held v. Montana: A 2025 Update [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:06
In this special update episode of People Places Planet, host Dara Albrecht revisits the landmark youth-led climate case, Held v. State of Montana, after the Montana Supreme Court's ruling in December 2024. Building on th…
Environmental Justice: The State-Level Perspective [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:49
More than 35 states have introduced or drafted environmental justice laws as of 2023, and 14 of those states have implemented at least 21 new laws focused on environmental justice. In this episode of People Places Planet…
Here's To New Adventures: Farewell to Our 2022 Research Associates [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:55
In this week’s episode of People Places Planet Podcast, three of ELI's four outgoing Research Associates (Sarah Backer, Ella Stack, and Tori Rickman) sit down with host Dara Albrecht to reflect on their experiences as Re…