NYC Businesses Can Now Get Paid to Deliver Goods at Night

NYC Businesses Can Get Paid to Deliver Goods at Night

New York City businesses can now apply for government incentives to deliver goods during off-peak hours, aiming to ease traffic congestion and improve air quality.

<img src="https://www.amny.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/truck-23rd-street-getty-images.jpeg?w=1200" alt="Truck traveling on Manhattan street before congestion pricing" decoding="async" fetchpriority="high" style="width: 100%; height: auto;">

The Department of Transportation (DOT) says qualifying businesses can receive one-time reimbursements for expenses like security equipment (CCTV cameras) and quiet cargo handling equipment if they choose to participate in the program.

"Decreasing congestion, improving our air quality, and reducing the number of large trucks on our roads are vital to making New York City greener, healthier, and more livable," said DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. **"We encourage all local businesses to apply for this program that will benefit all New Yorkers by reducing the number of delivery trucks on our roads during busy daytime hours."

The program, which has been running since 2010, currently has 27 participating businesses with over 1,000 locations, including Just Salad, Anheuser-Busch, and Whole Foods. Tens of thousands of trucks enter New York City every day, carrying 90% of the freight that ultimately lands with Big Apple consumers; most of these deliveries are made during business hours, contributing significantly to traffic congestion.

The incentive program was funded with $6 million from the city budget in anticipation of the MTA’s congestion program, which would charge trucks between $24 and $36 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street during peak hours, but only $6-9 overnight.

However, Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced a “temporary pause” to the congestion program, putting it on hold.

Despite the pause, DOT says it still intends to pursue street design initiatives planned for Manhattan, including new crosstown bus and bike routes on 72nd and 96th streets and a two-way protected bike lane on Delancey Street.

Applications for the off-hour delivery incentive program are open through September 30th at https://ohdnyc.com/incentiveprogram.