Commuters spend thousands of dollars a year on transportation, as related costs rise in NYC: study

"However, researchers added that they will conduct more research to examine the cost burden of tolls and public transit fares. The additional costs posed by congestion pricing and fare increases are not yet fully reflected in the data used in this report, and we will continue to monitor New Yorkers' experiences with transportation in the coming months to get a better picture of the effects of these policies, Ryan Vinh, a researcher at Columbia who worked on this study, explained."

"Vinh added, however, that New Yorkers in poverty have the lowest rates of commuting to work by car than other groups. As a result, while the effects of congestion pricing or fare increases may vary for those in poverty, we know that many will continue to spend a large share of their resources on transportation costs in the absence of any other support, the researcher said."

Paying for transportation in New York City costs nearly $2,000 per year for many residents, creating a significant financial burden. Low-income New Yorkers dedicate nearly 10% of their income on average to transportation expenses. Rising costs, including new tolls and fare increases, are prompting reductions in transportation use. Congestion pricing charges a base toll of $9 to enter Manhattan south of and including 60th Street. The MTA increased subway and bus fares from $2.75 to $2.90 in 2023. Data used so far do not fully reflect recent tolling and fare policies. Many people in poverty are least likely to commute by car and continue to spend a large share of resources on transportation.

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