Congestion Pricing Guide
E-ZPass + Tunnel Credits with Manhattan Tolling
If you enter Manhattan through a tolled tunnel, you receive a credit against the Congestion Relief Zone toll. This guide explains which crossings qualify, how credits differ for passenger cars versus for-hire vehicles, and what this means for car service passengers who never touch an E-ZPass.
One of the most common questions about NYC’s Congestion Relief Zone is whether drivers get double-charged: once for a tunnel toll into Manhattan and again for the congestion toll. The answer is no—the system includes credits that offset the CRZ toll for vehicles entering through certain tolled crossings. For car service clients, these credits are handled entirely by the operator. You never interact with the credit system. All tolls and credits are reflected in your quoted fare.
How Tunnel Credits Work
The credit system prevents double-tolling for vehicles entering Manhattan through paid crossings.
The Double-Toll Prevention
When a vehicle pays a toll to enter Manhattan through certain tunnels, the E-ZPass system records this payment. The CRZ tolling system then applies a credit that offsets all or part of the congestion toll. The goal is simple: you should not pay a tunnel toll and the full congestion toll for the same trip into the zone.
Credit Mechanics
Which Crossings Qualify
Four tolled crossings into Manhattan provide E-ZPass credits against the CRZ toll.
| Crossing | Credit? | Connects | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Tunnel | Yes | NJ (Weehawken) → Midtown West | EWR transfers, Hoboken, NJ commuters |
| Holland Tunnel | Yes | NJ (Jersey City) → Lower Manhattan | NJ to Downtown, Wall Street trips |
| Queens-Midtown Tunnel | Yes | Queens (LIC) → East Midtown | LGA transfers (optional route), Queens to Midtown |
| Hugh L. Carey Tunnel (Brooklyn-Battery) | Yes | Brooklyn (Red Hook) → Lower Manhattan | Brooklyn to FiDi, Brooklyn to Downtown |
Why These Four
These four crossings are all operated by the MTA (Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority)—the same entity that runs the CRZ. Because the MTA controls both the tunnel tolls and the congestion tolls, it can seamlessly apply credits. The Lincoln Tunnel and Holland Tunnel are operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, but an inter-agency agreement enables the credit system.
The key principle: if you already paid a toll to enter Manhattan through one of these crossings, the CRZ system recognizes that payment and reduces or eliminates the additional congestion charge.
Credits for Passenger Cars vs For-Hire Vehicles
The credit system works differently depending on vehicle type.
Passenger Cars
Passenger cars that enter Manhattan through a qualifying tunnel with E-ZPass receive a credit that offsets the $9.00 CRZ toll. Since the tunnel toll (approximately $11–$16 depending on the crossing) exceeds the $9.00 CRZ toll, the credit effectively eliminates the additional congestion charge. You pay the tunnel toll but not the CRZ toll on top of it.
For-Hire Vehicles (FHVs)
FHVs pay a different CRZ structure: $0.75 per trip (not $9/day). Tunnel credits for FHVs work at the operator level. When an FHV crosses through a qualifying tunnel, the vehicle’s E-ZPass records the tunnel toll, and a proportional credit is applied against the CRZ surcharge. Because the FHV CRZ charge ($0.75) is much lower than the tunnel toll, the credit typically covers the entire CRZ surcharge.
For Car Service Clients
As a car service passenger, here is what you need to know about E-ZPass credits.
You Do Not Need Your Own E-ZPass
All toll payments and credits are handled by the car service operator. The vehicle carries E-ZPass; the driver manages toll routes; the operator accounts for credits. As a passenger, you simply receive a quoted fare that includes everything—tunnel tolls, CRZ surcharges, and any applicable credits are all factored in.
Why This Matters
The tunnel credit system is designed to prevent double-tolling at the vehicle level. For car service passengers, the practical impact is simple: your fare already accounts for all tolls. You do not need to understand the credit mechanics, choose specific routes for credit eligibility, or carry E-ZPass. True North VIP includes all tolls, surcharges, and credits in the quoted fare.
Common Routes and Credit Eligibility
Which popular routes include tunnel credits and which do not.
| Route | Crossing Used | Tunnel Credit? | CRZ Surcharge? |
|---|---|---|---|
| EWR → Midtown Manhattan | Lincoln Tunnel | Yes | $0.75 (FHV) |
| EWR → FiDi / Tribeca | Holland Tunnel | Yes | $0.75 (FHV) |
| Hoboken → Midtown | Lincoln Tunnel | Yes | $0.75 (FHV) |
| Jersey City → Downtown Manhattan | Holland Tunnel | Yes | $0.75 (FHV) |
| Brooklyn → FiDi | Hugh L. Carey Tunnel | Yes | $0.75 (FHV) |
| LGA → East Midtown | QM Tunnel (optional) | Yes (if tunnel) | $0.75 (FHV) |
| JFK → Midtown | No tunnel (bridges/expressway) | No | $0.75 (FHV) |
| Brooklyn → Midtown (via Brooklyn Bridge) | Brooklyn Bridge (free) | No | $0.75 (FHV) |
Crossings That Do Not Get Credits
Important to understand which entries into the CRZ do not come with toll credits.
Free Bridges into the CRZ
Several free bridges deliver traffic directly into the Congestion Relief Zone. Because no toll is paid to cross, there is no payment to credit against the CRZ toll.
George Washington Bridge
The George Washington Bridge connects New Jersey (Fort Lee) to upper Manhattan (178th Street). Although it is tolled, it does not qualify for CRZ credits because it enters Manhattan well above 60th Street—outside the Congestion Relief Zone. Vehicles entering via the GW Bridge only trigger the CRZ toll if they subsequently drive south of 60th Street.
60th Street Entry Points
Vehicles entering the CRZ by driving south on any Manhattan avenue that crosses 60th Street (e.g., driving down Park Avenue from 72nd Street) do not have a toll to credit. There is no bridge or tunnel involved—the vehicle simply crosses the invisible 60th Street boundary. The full CRZ toll applies with no credit.
All Tolls Included in Our Pricing
True North VIP handles all toll complexity so you do not have to.
What Is Included
Book With Confidence
Whether your trip goes through the Lincoln Tunnel (with credit) or across the Brooklyn Bridge (no credit), your quoted fare accounts for the full toll and surcharge picture. Book a Newark airport transfer, a New Jersey car service, or a Hoboken pickup—all tolls are included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get double-charged if I use a tunnel AND enter the congestion zone?
No. The E-ZPass credit system prevents double-tolling. If you enter Manhattan through a qualifying tunnel (Lincoln, Holland, Queens-Midtown, or Hugh L. Carey), a credit is applied against the CRZ toll. For passenger cars, this typically eliminates the CRZ charge entirely.
Do I need my own E-ZPass as a car service passenger?
No. The car service vehicle carries E-ZPass, and all toll payments and credits are handled by the operator. Your quoted fare includes all tolls and surcharges. You do not interact with the toll system at all.
Does the George Washington Bridge get a tunnel credit?
No. The GW Bridge enters Manhattan at 178th Street, well above the CRZ boundary (60th Street). It does not qualify for CRZ credits because the entry point is outside the congestion zone.
Does the Brooklyn Bridge get a credit?
No. The Brooklyn Bridge is a free bridge with no toll. Since no toll is paid, there is nothing to credit against the CRZ charge. Vehicles entering the CRZ via the Brooklyn Bridge pay the full CRZ toll.
How does the Lincoln Tunnel credit work for Newark airport trips?
When an FHV crosses the Lincoln Tunnel from NJ to Manhattan, the vehicle pays the tunnel toll (approximately $16). The CRZ system recognizes this payment and applies a credit against the $0.75 FHV surcharge. The operator accounts for both the tunnel toll and the credit in the fare quote.
Do Tolls by Mail users get tunnel credits?
No. Tunnel credits require E-ZPass for automatic processing. Vehicles without E-ZPass pay the higher Tolls by Mail rate and do not receive CRZ credits. All True North VIP vehicles use E-ZPass.
Can I request a specific tunnel route to get a credit?
You generally do not need to. Your chauffeur will choose the optimal route based on traffic, and the toll/credit accounting is handled by the operator. The credit does not reduce your quoted fare—it is factored into the pricing model.
Are tunnel tolls included in True North VIP flat rates?
Yes. All tunnel and bridge tolls, CRZ surcharges, and NY State surcharges are included in our quoted fares. Gratuity is the only additional cost.
All tolls and credits handled for you.
Tunnel tolls, congestion pricing, E-ZPass credits—all included in one transparent fare. Vetted chauffeurs, premium vehicles, and no toll surprises.
Last updated: February 23, 2026