The Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ) is the part of Manhattan where the MTA charges its congestion toll: local streets and avenues south of and including 60th Street, but not the FDR Drive, West Side Highway/Route 9A or the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel connections to West Street (MTA). Tolling began January 5, 2025. Vehicles are counted at 12 entry points, and for trip data the MTA lists 38 TLC taxi zones as inside the zone.
For TLC drivers it means one thing: a trip that goes to, from, within or through the zone carries a per-trip charge that the passenger pays. As of October 12, 2026 that is $0.75 on a taxi, green cab or regular FHV trip and $1.50 on an Uber or Lyft trip.
Where you will see this term
The same zone has several names. Here is how to read each one:
Why it matters to TLC drivers
- You don't pay it on a trip. The passenger does. The base or the taxi's meter company collects it and sends it to the MTA.
- Driving in empty is free if your base or meter company is in the MTA's per-trip plan. If it isn't, the vehicle owner may be charged the regular toll once a day.
- Your own car pays the regular toll: $9 at peak or $2.25 overnight with E-ZPass, once a day.
Common mix-ups
- Per-trip charge vs daily toll. TLC trips under the plan pay per trip, at any hour. Private cars pay a daily toll that is higher at peak.
- Not a TLC fee. The MTA (through its Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority) sets and collects it. TLC rules only say who pays: the passenger.
Map and taxi zone list: Congestion Relief Zone boundaries. Every rate: Congestion Relief Zone toll. The other zone: Congestion Zone. How it appears on receipts: congestion charges on pay statements. Trip data: congestion zone trip statistics. Main guide: congestion pricing for TLC drivers.
Frequently asked questions
What does Congestion Relief Zone mean?
It is the MTA's name for the tolled part of Manhattan: local streets south of and including 60th Street, not counting the FDR Drive, West Side Highway/Route 9A and the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel connections to West Street.
What is the CBD congestion fee on my receipt?
It is the per-trip charge for a taxi or FHV trip that goes to, from, within or through the Congestion Relief Zone: $0.75 per taxi, green cab or regular FHV trip and $1.50 per Uber/Lyft trip, paid by the passenger (as of October 12, 2026).
Is the Congestion Relief Zone the same as the Congestion Zone?
No. TLC rules and the state surcharge use 'Congestion Zone' for Manhattan south of 96th Street. The Congestion Relief Zone stops at 60th Street.
Why does my E-ZPass statement say CBDTP?
CBDTP is the label for congestion tolls on E-ZPass statements and toll bills; the program's legal name is the Central Business District Tolling Program. The MTA's tax-credit instructions tell people to look for tolls labeled CBDTP in the Agency column.
Sources
Last reviewed against the official sources on .
- MTA: About the Congestion Relief Zone toll mta.info
- MTA: Congestion Relief Zone FAQ mta.info
- TLC data dictionary: Yellow taxi trip records nyc.gov
- TLC data dictionary: High-volume FHV trip records nyc.gov
- MTA: Getting documentation for the CBD toll tax credit (PDF) mta.info
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TLC Help is not a law firm and is not affiliated with the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission or OATH. Explanations on this site are general information, not legal advice. Legal representation is provided by independent attorneys and OATH-registered representatives in our network.