Posted on 06/26/2023 5:37:17 PM PDT by lowbridge
The federal government granted final approval to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s congestion pricing program on Monday, the final step needed to create the nation’s first system of congestion pricing, including what tolls to charge and which drivers will receive exemptions.
The MTA has yet to set the exact amount for the toll, but has signaled it will range between $9 and $23 per day to drive a car into the Central Business District.
The agency is considering major discounts for drivers who come in overnight and lower income commuters without easy access to frequent transit service.
“Congestion pricing will reduce traffic in our crowded downtown, improve air quality and provide critical resources to the MTA,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul. “I am proud of the thorough environmental assessment process we conducted, including responding to thousands of comments from community members from across the region.”
She added: “With the green light from the federal government, we look forward to moving ahead with the implementation of this program.”
Advocates for the charge say it kills two birds with one stone: The toll will discourage people to take trains or buses into Manhattan instead of driving, helping to cure some of the worst congestion in the country; while the revenues would help improve subway service to make transit more convenient and reliable.
Opponents argue the MTA should find the money through other means, including finding ways to lower its costs, which are among the highest in the world.
Some of the loudest protests against the new charge have come from New Jersey, where politicians have assailed the legislation as a “cash-grab” from commuters.
“This is nothing more than a cash grab to fund the MTA,” said US Senator Bob Menendez and Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Bill Pascrell in a statement.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Well past time to totally eschew NYC.
So much for using JFK Airport...I’ll find others.
Save the planet and make a federal law that all children in public school must take a school bus. Summer traffic is the earths best idea ever.
And you can do it with a pen joe buttigig.
Keep voting Democrat you idiots.
So many taxes and fees. We have been boiled alive by the tyrants.
Who is on the exempt list? The first thing democrats do is to exempt themselves, their relatives, friends, and associated scum from the very laws they write.
Excellent! Soak those New York democrats for everything they’ve got!😀
Last time I drove in Manhattan south of 60th Street was late at night from the Williamsburg bridge to the Holland Tunnel about 15 years ago.
Not going back.
Traffic fatalities up 23% in New York despite decrease in road usage
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