Trucking, last-mile delivery companies, and environmental advocates like what they are seeing so far with New York’s microhub program.
A little over a year into its three-year “microhub” pilot, New York City said these local delivery hubs have cut out more than 3,000 truck trips on city streets. Now it’s looking for companies to participate in the second phase.
A microhub is a safe, dedicated space for truck operators to transfer deliveries onto safer and more sustainable modes of transportation for the last leg of delivery, including e-cargo bikes, handcarts, and smaller electric vans. Each microhub is assigned to a single delivery partner for exclusive use.
The city recently added two new microhub locations in Manhattan: one in the financial district and another on the Upper East Side.
Initial Microhub Pilot Findings
Microhubs were first installed at three locations on the Upper West Side.
- About 860 packages are delivered daily by handcart rather than by truck. This replaces about 1.5 miles of truck-vehicle miles traveled each day.
- Another 110 packages were delivered daily via cargo bike, helping replace around 3 miles of truck vehicle miles traveled daily.
- In total, the pilot reduced an estimated 9 grams of air pollution from the environment, according to city officials.
“When big delivery trucks deliver individual packages on local streets, we can see pedestrian crosswalks and travel lanes getting blocked, and a variety of other unsafe challenges,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn.
“Shifting these deliveries onto handcarts, e-bikes, and other smaller delivery options is a win for our environment, street safety, and our neighborhoods.”
What Does New York Trucking Association Think?
The Trucking Association of New York supports the microhub program (unlike NYC’s controversial congestion toll pricing program.)
“Our priority is the safe, efficient, and sustainable movement of goods,” said Zach Miller, Vice President, Government Affairs, at Trucking Association of New York. “We’ve supported microhub distribution for years because it offers strong operational alignment for certain segments of last-mile freight and the small businesses that provide these delivery services.
“We’re pleased to see NYC DOT continue expanding microhubs as part of a broader, holistic freight strategy that includes Blue Highways, off-hour deliveries, package lockers, and a modernized truck route network.”
The microhub pilot launched in April 2025. Locations are chosen based on compatible land uses, as well as proximity to high-density areas, truck routes, bike lane networks, and other factor
Delivery and Logistics Companies Praise Microhubs
Two collaborators in the first phase of the program have been Amazon and Net Zero Logistics.
“Programs like this show what’s possible when the city and the private sector work together to make urban delivery safer and more sustainable,” said Beryl Tomay, Vice President, Transportation at Amazon.
“We look forward to continuing to innovate — including efforts like the growth of our e-cargo bike program — so we’re best able to deliver for New Yorkers.”
Net Zero Logistics CEO Mark Chiusano called the program a game-changer for urban delivery.
“By providing dedicated curb space for last-mile transfers to cargo bikes and zero-emission modes of transport (including walking), we can cut truck trips, eliminate double parking, and reduce emissions — all while keeping New York City moving.”
New York is Adding Microhub Locations
NYC DOT recently installed a microhub in the Financial District and another on the Upper East Side.
As the pilot continues, NYC DOT aims to expand geographic and partner reach, inviting broader business participation through an application process and siting microhubs in new neighborhoods.
It’s looking for partner companies that already are using or interested in using sustainable last-mile delivery modes. Visit nyc.gov/microhubs for more information.
Why Does NYC Need Microhubs?
With freight volumes projected to grow by 46% through 2055, congestion and emissions from truck traffic pose increasing challenges to New York City’s quality of life and infrastructure.
Each day, more than 44,000 trucks cross critical chokepoints like the George Washington and Verrazano Bridges, leading to congestion and delays costing the city an estimated $20 billion annually in lost productivity, increased maintenance, and environmental impacts.
The pilot first launched in April 2025. Locations are selected based on compatible land uses, proximity to high-density areas, truck routes, bike lane networks, and transit, and through conversations with communities and businesses.
What Else is NYC Doing to Reduce Congestion and Emissions from Deliveries?
Some of the other freight reform efforts undertaken by the NYC DOT include:
Curb Management: City officials have created a new Office of Curb Management within NYC DOT to modernize the city’s use of curb space. The new office will oversee curb policies across the city’s 6,300 miles of streets and roughly 3 million curbside parking spaces, with a focus on improving safety, reducing double parking, and better managing competing demands.
Blue Highways Program: NYC DOT, in coordination with EDC, is reactivating marine infrastructure, helping to shift deliveries from larger trucks to waterways.
Cargo Bike Rulemaking: In March 2024, the agency authorized the use of e-cargo bikes on city streets. Since the inception of the cargo bike pilot program, the use of commercial cargo bikes for deliveries has grown at least seven-fold, with an expectation for continued expansion with the city’s support.
Off-Hour Delivery Program: NYC DOT launched applications for its Off-Hour Deliveries (OHD) incentive program to encourage goods delivery during the off-peak hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. One-time monetary reimbursements will help businesses make the switch to off-peak deliveries.
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