NYC’s Congestion Pricing Actually Working? & Companies Want Ivy-Leaguers Again

What It Covers

NYC's congestion pricing reduces traffic by 11% in first year while companies shift back to recruiting from elite colleges. Fitness culture pivots from cardio to weightlifting as pizza chains struggle with declining sales.

Key Questions Answered

• •Congestion Pricing Results: NYC's $9 toll below 60th Street eliminated 73,000 daily vehicles, increased Lincoln Tunnel speeds 51%, Queens Midtown Tunnel 24%, and Manhattan Bridge 29%, while business visits rose 3.4% without hurting local commerce or restaurant reservations.
• •Elite College Recruiting: Companies recruiting exclusively from short lists of schools jumped from 17% in 2022 to 26% in 2025, focusing on 30 colleges out of 4,000 total. Recent college grad unemployment climbed from 4.3% in 2023 to 5.8% in 2025.
• •Fitness Industry Shift: Google searches for cardio workouts declined 3% monthly since 2021 while strength training interest climbed 6%. Planet Fitness now dedicates 50% of floor space to strength equipment, driving 13% revenue growth and 30% stock price increase over five years.
• •Pizza Market Decline: Pizza dropped from second to sixth place in US chain sales rankings as average cheese pizza prices hit $17 nationally. Pizza Hut posted eight consecutive quarters of sales declines while delivery apps expanded competition from limited menus to every cuisine available.