New York has received a critical federal approval for its first-in-the-nation plan to charge big tolls to drive into the most visited parts of Manhattan, part of an effort to reduce traffic, improve air quality and raise funds for the city’s public transit system.
The program could begin as soon as the spring of 2024, bringing New York City into line with places like London, Singapore, and Stockholm that have implemented similar tolling programs for highly congested business districts.
Under one of several tolling scenarios under consideration, drivers could be charged as much as $23 a day to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street, with the exact amount still to be decided by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which is overseeing the long-stalled plan.
The congestion pricing plan cleared its final federal hurdle after getting approved by the Federal Highway Administration, a spokesperson for New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said on Monday.
“With the green light from the federal government, we look forward to moving ahead with the implementation of this program,” Hochul, a Democrat, said in a statement.
People headed into Manhattan already pay big tolls to use many of the bridges and tunnels connecting across the Hudson, East and Harlem Rivers. The special tolls for the southern half of Manhattan would come on top of those existing charges.
The new tolls are expected to generate another $1 billion yearly, which would be used to finance borrowing to upgrade the subway, bus and commuter rail systems operated by the MTA.
The state Legislature approved a conceptual plan for congestion pricing back in 2019, but the coronavirus pandemic combined with a lack of guidance from federal regulators stalled the project.
The plan has been sharply opposed by officials in New Jersey, where people bound for Manhattan by car could see costs of commuting skyrocket. Taxi and car service drivers have also objected, saying it would make fares unaffordable. Some MTA proposals have included caps on tolls for taxis and other for-hire vehicles.
(AP)
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13 Responses
The democrats should be farmers
They’re good at milking taxpayers
most of my friends and i take the subway.
so far, iv’e never encountered drunk, homeless, high on weed crazies in my car. they dont clean that up, none will take the subway, even if they charge $30 to drive into manhattan. in fact, most businesses will just up and move out of the city.
“(If you want to drive) I’ll tax the street
(If you try to sit) I’ll tax your seat
(If you get too cold) I’ll tax the heat
(If you take a walk) I’ll tax your feet”
“Tax Man” by The Beatles
The federal approval is for tolls. The amount is up to the City.
Say Goodbye to the Big (Rotten) Apple.
The City needs money to subsidize the welfare bums and Spanish-speaking invaders living free-of-charge in hotels.
Y’all still voting Brandon, Enjoy!
Y’all voting Brandon, Enjoy!
1. Why does New York City need Federal approval?
2. Why would any sane person drive into Manhattan. It is faster to walk, and it has the best public transit in the United States (at least in terms of frequency of service and speed – needs improvement on cleanliness and security).
Nail in the coffin administration Feds,State,and City
A bunch of gutless wonders
No wonder NY is losing citizens to red states
Enjoy your Mincha area while it’s still free
1st course of action is to arrest every single fare evader, and to subject them to debilitating fines & imprisonment & corporal punishment.
Once every fare evader is eradicated, MTA shall be on a much better financial situation & revenue, that all the tolls can ever bring in.
….corporal punishment?
For evading a fare?
That might go over very well in Israel, but not here.