Fordham University’s Ram Van service has adapted to New York City’s newly implemented congestion pricing without raising costs for students.
According to Director of University Transportation Plinio Gonzalez, GSB ’08, the Ram Van program has been preparing for congestion pricing since its initial proposals during the COVID-19 era. With fees set at $9 per day for peak times, the university anticipated logistical and financial challenges have seen several benefits instead.
“Traffic is lighter, easier to get from point A to point B,” Gonzalez explained. He noted that commute times have been reduced by approximately 10 minutes during rush hour, benefiting drivers and passengers.
Student driver Jyn Orlowski, FCLC ’26, noted improved timeliness and decreased congestion. “It used to be that you could plan on a van being late during rush hour,” Orlowski said. “Now, it’s much faster… I think it makes [the service] better because it’s a faster transportation system for the same price.”
JJ Johnson, FCRH ’25, another Ram Van driver, shared similar sentiments. “I love it, but I have not been late ever to a shift because we’re only allotted an hour. Even my bad shifts, I end up getting there within 45 minutes,” she said. “I also do notice that the roads are just less insane in general. It just kind of feels safer out there.”
Elena Stoddard, GSB ’25, echoed Johnson’s opinion: “Honestly. Yeah. I think I like it. It’s probably better for the environment too… and it makes my job as a Ram Van driver easier.”
Despite the benefits for drivers, some commuters are skeptical of congestion pricing’s broader impact. Isaac Badell-Riviere, FCRH ’27, a frequent Ram Van rider, remains unconvinced: “I don’t know, to be honest. The way I feel is that $9 every time you go there could add up. I mean, it could be a good plan, but I feel like at the end of the day, a lot of the people that are going to be there… especially at certain times of day in the morning, they have to be there.”
Gianna Cortez, FCRH ’28, another commuter, noted that while she hasn’t seen a significant difference in congestion, she has experienced shorter commute times. “There were times where I would think that I need to leave an hour and a half before and now it could take 30 minutes,” she said. However, she also raised concerns about capacity issues, explaining that securing a Ram Van seat requires planning ahead: “Oftentimes, I’ll have to book my Ram Van even in the beginning of the week when it’s Sunday.”
Both Gonzalez and Orlowski highlighted the convenience and safety of the Ram Van service, particularly as a private alternative to public transportation. Gonzalez stated, “Our primary focus is for students to use the university’s service to get to and from Lincoln Center.”
Orlowski echoed this sentiment, noting that the $3.50 fare is “only 60 cents more expensive than the subway, but it’s tremendously faster and safer.”
While passengers will not see any fare increases, some believe adjustments may be necessary. Cortez said she would be willing to pay more if the service improved significantly. “If it was a
lot more convenient for everybody, the drivers, the school, the students, yeah, I would. I feel like the most I’d be willing to pay is $5.”
As congestion pricing continues, Fordham is monitoring its impact closely. Gonzalez remarked, “This is still early… but so far, our data shows that this is working for its intended purposes, and our passengers are loving it.”
