NY State Surcharge vs NYC Congestion Pricing
Updated Nov 8, 2026
Congestion surcharge NYC includes separate state and city charges that apply under different rules. NYC taxi congestion surcharge rules depend on the trip's New York State boundaries and the MTA zone, while vehicle type sets the amount. True North VIP is a chauffeured car service based in New York City, serving Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, Long Island, Westchester, New Jersey and Connecticut. Example Times Square to Wall Street quotes start at $146. Book black car service in NYC at Book now or call 888-887-0324, 24/7.
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At a glance
The New York State congestion surcharge and MTA Congestion Relief Zone charge are separate rules, so check each boundary and vehicle category independently. A trip may meet one program's test, both tests, or neither. The amounts below describe qualifying trips; the MTA per-trip amount also depends on vehicle eligibility.
| Charge | Geographic test | Common per-trip amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York State surcharge | Both endpoints in New York State; trip connects with Manhattan south of 96th Street | $2.75 non-medallion FHV; $2.50 medallion taxi; $0.75 per pool passenger |
| MTA zone charge | At and below 60th Street, with listed exclusions | $0.75 eligible taxi/black car; $1.50 high-volume FHV |
| Combined example | Both programs apply | $3.50 black car; $4.25 high-volume FHV; $3.25 taxi |
| Other charges | Separate programs | Black Car Fund percentage assessment; TLC airport access fee on JFK and LaGuardia taxi pickups |
Sources: the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance for the state surcharge, and the MTA for the Congestion Relief Zone charge.
Quick answers
What is the NYC congestion surcharge on taxi and car service rides?
It's a New York State charge on qualifying taxi and for-hire trips that start, end or pass through Manhattan south of 96th Street, with both endpoints in New York State. A medallion taxi trip is $2.50, a non-pool black car or other FHV trip is $2.75, and a pool trip is $0.75 per passenger.
Is the congestion surcharge the same as congestion pricing (the CRZ toll)?
No. They are two separate charges, and one ride can carry both. The state surcharge applies per trip. The MTA's Congestion Relief Zone charge covers Manhattan at or below 60th Street: $0.75 for an eligible taxi or black car trip and $1.50 for a high-volume app-based ride.
Our prices include taxes, tolls and fees in one all-in total. See your price before you book.
Know your Manhattan car service price before pickup
A True North VIP quote uses distance-based pricing; taxes, tolls and fees are included, with gratuity optional. Program rules still determine charge eligibility and receipt treatment. The quote is one all-in total, while New York State requires its surcharge to be itemized on the passenger receipt.
| Example route | Distance | Executive Sedan | Executive SUV | Luxury SUV | Luxury Sedan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Times Square to Wall Street | 6.3 miles | $146 | $168 | $200 | $255 |
| JFK Terminal 4 to Times Square | 18.2 miles | $176 | $204 | $238 | $309 |
Example prices from our booking engine, November 2026. Taxes, tolls and fees included; gratuity optional. Your exact price is shown before you book.
For more detail, see NYC congestion pricing explained.
Two Separate Charges
New York State's congestion surcharge and the MTA's Congestion Relief Zone charge are separate programs with different boundaries, eligible trip categories, amounts and receipt treatment. The state test reaches parts of Manhattan south of 96th Street, while the MTA zone covers streets at and below 60th Street. A trip can qualify for one charge or both.
| Program | Boundary | Who pays or is charged | Amount | Collected by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York State surcharge | Both New York endpoints; trip starts, ends or passes through Manhattan south of 96th Street | Qualifying taxi and FHV trips | $2.75 non-medallion FHV; $2.50 medallion taxi; $0.75 per pool passenger | Responsible owner or dispatching base; separately itemized on receipt |
| MTA zone per-trip charge | At and below 60th Street, with listed exclusions | Eligible enrolled taxi and FHV trips | $0.75 taxi/black car; $1.50 high-volume FHV | Taxi/FHV charge process under MTA program |
NY State Congestion Surcharge
The New York State congestion surcharge applies to eligible taxi and for-hire trips only when both trip endpoints are in New York State and the route starts, ends or passes through Manhattan south of 96th Street. The boundary and both-endpoints test matter together, especially for airport trips and routes across state lines.
Overview
A qualifying non-pool FHV trip, including a black car, is $2.75; a medallion taxi trip is $2.50. A qualifying pool trip is $0.75 per passenger. The state amount is separate from any MTA charge on the same ride.
Key Details
Both endpoints must be in New York State, and the trip must start, end or pass through Manhattan south of 96th Street. An endpoint in New Jersey fails the state test. The responsible owner or dispatching base collects and remits the charge, which state rules require to appear separately on the passenger receipt.
NYC Congestion Relief Zone Surcharge
The MTA per-trip charge applies to qualifying taxi and for-hire trips in the Congestion Relief Zone at and below 60th Street, with a different amount for high-volume FHVs. This zone is smaller than the state surcharge geography, and the MTA rule is tested separately from the New York State endpoint requirement.
Overview
An eligible enrolled taxi or black-car trip has a $0.75 MTA charge; an eligible high-volume FHV trip has a $1.50 charge. The vehicle category sets the amount, so an app-based high-volume ride can differ from a black car in the same zone.
Key Details
The MTA zone includes 60th Street and its listed excluded roadways. Taxi and FHV per-trip charges do not drop overnight the way the passenger-car toll does. Check the vehicle category and zone separately.
See black car vs rideshare charges in the congestion zone for a focused comparison of those trip categories.
Geographic Differences
The two boundaries create three useful Manhattan areas: above 96th Street, between 60th and 96th Streets, and at or below 60th Street. The state surcharge also requires both endpoints in New York State and a route connection to its Manhattan zone.
Zone 1: Above 96th Street
A trip entirely above 96th Street stays outside both zones. A route south of 96th Street can meet the state test, and a route at or below 60th Street can meet the MTA test. Check both endpoints.
Zone 2: 60th Street to 96th Street
A qualifying trip here can incur the state surcharge without entering the MTA zone. The state boundary excludes 96th Street; the MTA zone includes 60th Street. A southern route may qualify for both.
Zone 3: Below 60th Street
A trip here may qualify for both charges when it passes the state endpoint and route test. The MTA amount depends on vehicle eligibility. The route determines whether the zone is entered.
When Each Applies
A Brooklyn-to-Midtown trip can qualify for the state surcharge because both ends are in New York State and Midtown is south of 96th Street. The MTA test is separate, and an eligible trip entering the area at or below 60th Street may incur its per-trip charge too.
| Trip example | State surcharge | MTA charge |
|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn to Midtown at 45th Street | Yes, if both endpoints are in New York | Yes, for an eligible vehicle trip |
| Manhattan 80th Street to 72nd Street | Yes, for a qualifying trip | No, if route stays above 60th |
| Newark to Midtown at 45th Street | No, Newark is in New Jersey | May apply in the zone |
| Harlem to Washington Heights, above 96th | No, if route stays above the zone | No, if route stays above the zone |
EWR to Manhattan fails the state test, but an MTA charge may apply in-zone. JFK to Times Square can meet both tests.
Total Combined Surcharges
When both program tests apply, add the state amount for the trip's taxi or FHV category to the MTA amount for its eligible vehicle category. A qualifying non-pool black-car trip totals $3.50, a high-volume FHV trip totals $4.25, and a medallion taxi trip totals $3.25 before other separate charges.
Black Car Trip: Below 60th Street
For a qualifying non-pool black-car trip in both programs, $2.75 state plus $0.75 MTA equals $3.50. Other charges are separate.
Black Car Trip: Between 60th and 96th Street
A qualifying black-car trip staying above 60th Street has the $2.75 state amount. At 60th Street or below, check the MTA category.
Rideshare Trip: Below 60th Street
A qualifying high-volume FHV trip in both programs totals $4.25: $2.75 state and $1.50 MTA. Pool trips use a separate state rate.
| Vehicle or trip type | State amount | MTA amount | Combined amount when both apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible black car, non-pool | $2.75 | $0.75 | $3.50 |
| High-volume FHV, non-pool | $2.75 | $1.50 | $4.25 |
| Medallion taxi, non-pool | $2.50 | $0.75 | $3.25 |
These totals exclude the separate Black Car Fund and taxi airport access charges.
Why There Are Two Charges
The state surcharge and MTA zone charge use separate rules, and both can apply to one ride. Compare the program, geographic test, vehicle category, amount and receipt treatment. This is the practical distinction for a rider checking a black-car, taxi or airport fare.
NY State Surcharge: State Eligibility
The state surcharge applies to qualifying for-hire trips under its New York geography and endpoint test. Check both endpoints, the Manhattan route and the state rate for the vehicle or pool trip.
NYC CRZ Surcharge: MTA Zone Rules
The MTA charge follows a different boundary and vehicle schedule. Check the area at or below 60th Street, then distinguish eligible taxi and black-car trips from high-volume FHVs. The per-trip amounts stay the same overnight.
Different Problems, Different Solutions
Both programs can apply to one trip. A $3.50 black-car example adds the state and MTA charges; passenger-car tolls use a different pricing method.
Black Car Fund and Taxi Airport Fees
The Black Car Fund passenger surcharge and taxi airport access fee are separate from the two congestion charges. The New York Black Car Fund publishes its current rate, and the TLC sets the airport access fee for taxi pickups at JFK and LaGuardia.
The Black Car Fund supports workers' compensation and eligible driver benefits through member bases. Its percentage charge is separate from the two per-trip congestion amounts. The TLC airport fee applies to taxi pickups only at JFK and LaGuardia, not to a black-car trip based only on the airport name.
What Does Your True North VIP Fare Include?
True North VIP uses distance-based pricing, with taxes, tolls and fees included and gratuity optional. Program rules determine which charges apply and what the passenger receipt must show. The all-in quote is the total price shown before booking for your selected trip.
What Your Quoted Fare Includes
The distance-based quote includes taxes, tolls and fees; gratuity is optional, and your exact price is shown before you book. State rules require separate itemization of the New York State surcharge on the passenger receipt.
For Corporate Clients
For expense review, distinguish the state surcharge, MTA charge, any applicable Black Car Fund surcharge and other trip fees by program. New York State requires its surcharge on the passenger receipt. See corporate account information or call 888-887-0324.
Frequently Asked Questions
NYC taxi congestion surcharge answers cover state and MTA rules, combined trip amounts, airport transfers and the Black Car Fund. NYC TLC congestion surcharge questions usually concern the state rule; the MTA zone charge is separate. Check state eligibility first, then the zone and vehicle category.
What is the congestion surcharge for an NYC taxi?
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The New York State surcharge is $2.50 for a qualifying medallion taxi and $2.75 for a non-medallion FHV; pool trips are $0.75 per passenger. Both endpoints must be in New York State, with a trip link to Manhattan south of 96th Street.
Are the New York State surcharge and NYC congestion pricing the same thing?
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No, their boundaries and vehicle rules differ. The state test requires both endpoints in New York State and a Manhattan connection south of 96th Street; the MTA charge covers the zone at and below 60th Street.
How much are the combined charges for a black car or yellow taxi in Midtown?
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A qualifying black-car trip totals $3.50: $2.75 state plus $0.75 MTA. A medallion taxi totals $3.25: $2.50 state plus $0.75 MTA.
Does the congestion surcharge apply to a trip from Brooklyn to Midtown?
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Yes, the state surcharge can apply because both places are in New York State and Midtown is south of 96th Street. An eligible trip entering the MTA zone may incur that charge too.
Do black cars and high-volume app-based rides pay the same MTA charge?
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No. An eligible black car pays $0.75; a high-volume FHV pays $1.50 under the MTA schedule. The state amount is $2.75 for either non-medallion category.
What is the Black Car Fund surcharge in 2026?
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The Black Car Fund surcharge is a percentage passenger assessment, and the New York Black Car Fund publishes the current rate. It supports workers' compensation and eligible driver benefits, separately from both congestion charges.
What if my trip is between 60th and 96th Street only?
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A qualifying New York State trip staying above 60th Street can incur the state charge without the MTA amount. Both endpoints must be in New York State, with the required Manhattan connection south of 96th Street.
What if my trip is above 96th Street?
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A trip staying above 96th Street avoids the Manhattan part of the state test; a route that stays above 60th Street also stays outside the MTA zone.
Does the New York State surcharge apply to passenger cars?
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The state surcharge covers qualifying taxi and for-hire trips, not private passenger cars. The MTA passenger-car toll uses a separate pricing method from taxi and FHV per-trip amounts.
Do both congestion charges apply to airport transfers?
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It depends on the airport and route. EWR-to-Manhattan fails the state test because Newark is outside New York State; an MTA charge may apply in-zone. JFK-to-Manhattan can meet both tests.
Does True North VIP show the surcharges as separate line items?
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New York State requires its surcharge on the passenger receipt. True North VIP quotes a distance-based total with taxes, tolls and fees included and gratuity optional; quote totals and receipt itemization are different parts of the fare.
Why is the rideshare MTA surcharge higher than the black-car amount?
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The MTA sets $1.50 for a qualifying high-volume FHV and $0.75 for an eligible black car. The separate state non-pool FHV charge is $2.75 when its trip test is met.
Book your ride
To request a New York City ride, use Book now and enter your pickup, destination, date and vehicle needs to see your exact price before you book. True North VIP's phone is answered 24/7 at 888-887-0324, and NYC car service is available for travel across the city and region.