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Two different surcharges, two different zones, two different purposes—but both apply simultaneously to for-hire vehicle trips in lower Manhattan. This guide explains the critical distinction between the pre-existing NY State congestion surcharge and the new NYC Congestion Relief Zone surcharge, so you know exactly what is in your fare.
If you have taken a car service in Manhattan recently, you may have noticed surcharge references on your receipt. There are now two separate congestion-related surcharges that can apply to a single FHV trip in lower Manhattan. Understanding the difference is important for travelers, corporate travel managers, and anyone trying to make sense of for-hire vehicle pricing in New York City.
The most important thing to understand is that these are completely separate surcharges. They are not the same thing.
| Feature | NY State Congestion Surcharge | NYC CRZ Surcharge |
|---|---|---|
| Enacted by | New York State Legislature | MTA (under federal/state authorization) |
| Effective date | January 1, 2019 | January 5, 2025 |
| Zone | Manhattan south of 96th Street | Manhattan south of 60th Street |
| Black car rate | $2.50/ride | $0.75/trip |
| Rideshare rate | $2.75/ride | $0.75/trip |
| Yellow taxi rate | $2.50/ride | $0.75/trip |
| Funds | MTA operating budget | MTA capital improvements |
| Passenger cars affected? | No (FHVs only) | Yes ($9/day for cars) |
The original surcharge, in effect since 2019. Applies to a broader zone than the CRZ.
The NY State congestion surcharge was enacted as part of New York State’s 2019 budget legislation. It applies a per-ride surcharge to all for-hire vehicle trips that begin, end, or pass through Manhattan south of 96th Street. The revenue goes to the MTA’s operating budget to fund subway and bus operations.
| Vehicle Type | Surcharge |
|---|---|
| Black car / livery | $2.50 per ride |
| Uber / Lyft (rideshare) | $2.75 per ride |
| Yellow taxi | $2.50 per ride |
| Green taxi (boro) | $2.50 per ride |
The newer surcharge, active since January 2025. Applies to a smaller zone but also charges passenger cars.
The NYC Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ) is the congestion pricing program that launched on January 5, 2025. It charges all vehicles—both passenger cars and FHVs—for entering Manhattan south of 60th Street. The revenue funds MTA capital improvements (subway modernization, station accessibility, new rolling stock).
For FHVs (black cars, rideshare, taxis), the CRZ surcharge is $0.75 per trip. For passenger cars, it is $9.00/day (peak) or $2.25 overnight. For a full explanation, see our complete CRZ guide.
The zones overlap but are not identical. This creates three distinct geographic zones for surcharge purposes.
Areas: Harlem, Washington Heights, Inwood, East Harlem (above 96th). No surcharges for FHV trips entirely within this area.
Areas: Upper East Side (60th–96th), Upper West Side (60th–96th), Central Park area. Only the NY State surcharge applies here.
Areas: Midtown, Chelsea, Flatiron, Gramercy, Village, SoHo, Tribeca, FiDi, Lower East Side, Battery Park. Both surcharges apply—total of $3.25 for black cars.
Real-world trip examples showing which surcharges apply.
| Trip | NY State ($2.50) | CRZ ($0.75) | Total Surcharges |
|---|---|---|---|
| UES (80th) → UWS (72nd) | Yes | No | $2.50 |
| UES (80th) → Midtown (45th) | Yes | Yes | $3.25 |
| Midtown (45th) → FiDi | Yes | Yes | $3.25 |
| JFK → Midtown hotel | Yes | Yes | $3.25 |
| JFK → UES (72nd & Park) | Yes | No | $2.50 |
| JFK → Harlem (125th) | No | No | $0.00 |
| LGA → SoHo | Yes | Yes | $3.25 |
| EWR → Midtown (Lincoln Tunnel) | Yes | Yes | $3.25 |
The complete surcharge picture for a typical FHV trip in different parts of Manhattan.
Example: Midtown hotel to Financial District meeting
Example: UES (72nd & Madison) to Lincoln Center (65th)
Same route via Uber/Lyft
Rideshare pays $0.25 more in surcharges per trip compared to black car ($3.50 vs $3.25). For a full rideshare vs black car comparison, see: Black Car vs Rideshare Charges in the Congestion Zone.
The two surcharges serve different purposes and fund different parts of the MTA.
The 2019 NY State surcharge funds the MTA’s day-to-day operations. Think of it as helping pay for the subway trains that run, the bus drivers who work, and the stations that stay open. It was enacted because the MTA faced a persistent operating deficit, and for-hire vehicle trips were growing rapidly in Manhattan (reducing subway ridership while increasing street congestion).
The 2025 CRZ surcharge funds the MTA’s capital program. This is the infrastructure side: new subway cars, station accessibility upgrades (elevators, ramps), signal modernization, and new bus routes. The MTA needs approximately $15 billion in capital funding, and the CRZ is projected to generate a significant portion through toll revenue and bonding capacity.
The NY State surcharge addresses the question: “How do we fund MTA operations when for-hire vehicles are cannibalizing subway ridership?” The CRZ surcharge addresses: “How do we fund MTA capital improvements while reducing Manhattan traffic congestion?” Both are legitimate policy goals, which is why both surcharges coexist.
True North VIP makes it simple: one price, everything included.
Corporate accounts receive detailed monthly invoices that can itemize surcharges for accounting and expense reporting purposes. However, all surcharges are communicated at booking time and included in the quoted fare. No surprises, no post-trip additions, no line items you did not expect.
No. The NY State congestion surcharge ($2.50 for black cars, effective 2019) and the NYC CRZ surcharge ($0.75 for FHVs, effective January 2025) are completely separate charges enacted by different governing bodies. They apply simultaneously for trips in Manhattan south of 60th Street.
For a trip entirely within Manhattan south of 60th Street: $2.50 (NY State) + $0.75 (CRZ) = $3.25 in total mandatory surcharges. True North VIP includes both in the quoted fare.
Only the NY State surcharge ($2.50) applies. The CRZ surcharge does not apply because your trip does not enter the Congestion Relief Zone (south of 60th Street). Example: UES (80th & Park) to Lincoln Center (65th & Broadway) = $2.50 in surcharges.
Neither surcharge applies. A trip from Harlem (125th) to Washington Heights (175th) incurs zero congestion-related surcharges.
No. The NY State congestion surcharge applies only to for-hire vehicles (black cars, rideshare, taxis). Passenger cars are not subject to it. However, passenger cars are subject to the CRZ toll ($9/day peak) if they enter the zone.
The NY State congestion surcharge is $2.75 for rideshare (Uber/Lyft) vs $2.50 for black cars and taxis. This $0.25 difference was legislated to address the rapid growth of rideshare trips in Manhattan. The CRZ surcharge is the same for all FHVs ($0.75).
It depends on the Manhattan end of the trip. JFK to Midtown (below 60th): both apply ($3.25). JFK to UES at 72nd: only NY State ($2.50). JFK to Harlem at 125th: neither applies ($0.00). See our airport guide for full details.
Not by default. Your quoted fare is one all-inclusive number. For corporate accounts that need itemized invoices for expense reporting, we can break down surcharges on monthly statements. Either way, all surcharges are communicated upfront at booking.
NY State surcharge, CRZ surcharge, tolls, and all fees built into your quoted fare. Vetted chauffeurs, premium vehicles, no surprises.
Last updated: February 23, 2026
True North VIP is a New York City-based premium chauffeur and black car service. The company provides airport transfers to JFK, LaGuardia, Newark, Teterboro, and Westchester County airports, along with hourly charters, corporate ground transportation, wedding and event service, and city-to-city travel. Service covers all five NYC boroughs, Northern New Jersey, Connecticut, Westchester County, Long Island, and the Hamptons, with vetted professional chauffeurs and a fleet of executive sedans, luxury sedans, SUVs, and Sprinter vans available 24/7.
To book a ride, visit truenorthvip.com/book or call +1‑347‑321‑9929.
