New York City is looking to reduce traffic and pollution by instituting congestion pricing and charging drivers who enter parts of Manhattan. The additional fees could affect commuters and tourists, both in their cars and on buses.

For Semeyer Sutton, taking the bus from upstate to her beauty consultant job in New York City is a no-brainer.

“I prefer it better than driving because sometimes, driving, I'm in traffic," the Middletown resident said. "And then when I get to the city, there’s no parking. I have to use a parking garage, and the bus is convenient for me.”

But commuters like her may find themselves using the bus more these days, with the MTA announcing they will begin using congestion pricing next year.

The plan will charge drivers entering Manhattan south of 60th Street a fee, depending on what they’re driving.

Cars will be charged $15, trucks and non-transit buses will be charged $24 or $36, depending on size, and ride-sharing vehicles would add a $2.50 toll to each rider’s trip.

Dan Rodriguez, vice president of public affairs with Coach buses, says Coach supports congestion pricing, but they want to see full exemptions for buses, the same way London and Singapore does in their congestion pricing. Right now, intercity and mega-buses will still see a fee.

He said these buses bring in thousands of people to the city from Washington D.C., Albany and Canada.

“It's millions of cars that are being taken off of city roads who are not only there to go to work, visit friends, see Broadway shows, but they're also contributing significantly to the economy of the city and the state in billions of dollars that they spend," he said.

Rodriguez added that an exemption will allow them to keep bus fares down for riders, especially as other costs are high.

“Tagging along, what could conceivably be millions of dollars on a monthly basis," he said. "We're going to have to assess what that means. And the last thing we want to do is to have to increase our bus fare.”

Semeyer plans on taking the bus more once this goes into effect, but having less of a choice is frustrating.

“We work out there and we're doing a favor to the city, providing our services, or whatever we do," she said. "And the fact that we have to pay more for that is outrageous.”

Rodriguez told Spectrum News 1 that he expects the law to go into effect by the spring of 2024. Meanwhile, a four-month public comment period is underway.