In 2025, we want riders to relax and focus on a “new me,” not new fees. 

With New York City’s additional $1.50 rideshare congestion fee set to hit New Yorkers and visitors starting Jan. 5, we’re helping riders ease into the new year.

January's on us!

For the rest of January, every time you pay NYC’s new $1.50 congestion fee, we’ll send you a $1.50 ride credit to use on a ride with Lyft or Citi Bike. A trip only needs to begin, end or pass through the Central Business District (starting below 61st Street in Manhattan) to qualify for the credit, which will automatically be applied to your Lyft account to use on future trips, valid through the following week.

Our New Year’s resolution: Fight inflation by bringing down ride costs in NYC

New Yorkers of all incomes rely on rideshare for commutes, job interviews, doctors’ appointments, and other important trips. But rides in NYC are among the most expensive in the country, partially due to all the government-imposed taxes and fees riders have to pay before even stepping into a vehicle. The new $1.50 congestion fee starting in January is on top of a separate $2.75 congestion fee riders already pay to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).  

Call it one small step towards our New Year’s resolution to help make rideshare in NYC more affordable.

FAQ

What’s happening?

Beginning Jan. 5 through the end of the month, people who take a ride into, out of or through the Manhattan Central Business District (beginning below 61st Street) will receive a $1.50 credit to put towards a future trip, good through the following week.

How do I qualify for the ride credit?

Simply take a ride into, out of or through the CBD as you normally would. We’ll send you a notification afterwards letting you know you qualified for the credit and handle the rest from there.

When can I expect the credit?

You’ll get a notification after your ride into, out of or through the CBD is complete, letting you know the $1.50 credit will be applied to your account to use on future trips.

Do I need to go through the CBD again in order to use the $1.50?

No, the $1.50 can be put towards any future ride you take, anywhere in the country, regardless of where it goes.

If my following ride also goes through the CBD, will I get another $1.50 credit?

Yes! You will receive a $1.50 credit to put towards future rides every time you take a trip through the CBD for the rest of January.

Can I use the $1.50 credit for a Citi Bike?

Yes! Because Lyft operates Citi Bike, the credit is good for both rideshare and bike rides.

How long will I have to use the credit?

The credit will be eligible for one week following the completion of the initial ride.

Don’t riders already pay a rideshare congestion fee to the MTA? Why aren’t you reimbursing that one as well?

Yes, since 2019 rideshare riders have already paid a $2.75 congestion fee to the MTA for rides that start, end or pass through a separate congestion zone that begins below 96th Street in Manhattan. We don’t think riders should be double taxed, and we lobbied hard for them to be exempt from this new additional $1.50 congestion fee.

Our goal isn’t to undercut the City’s efforts to reduce congestion, and funding public transportation is a good thing. But when we put ourselves in riders’ shoes, we also understand it’s grown more and more expensive to live in and visit NYC, so we consider this a small gesture to help people adjust to another new expense - even as we work to reduce the overall cost of rides.

What other taxes and fees do NYC riders pay?

In addition to this new additional $1.50 congestion fee, riders in NYC also pay: