NY It is one of the cities with the worst traffic in the world and, therefore, a decongestion fee was approved for those who circulate through one of the most congested areas: Lower Manhattan.
It is estimated that more than 700,000 vehicles, taxis and trucks travel through Lower Manhattan daily, causing nearly $2,000 in lost productivity for New Yorkers, spending more than 117 hours each year in traffic.
The implementation of the historic toll would provide one billion dollars annually, which would be used to support loans for capital improvements in the subway and bus systems of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
WHAT IS THE CONGESTION CHARGE IN NEW YORK ABOUT?
This is the collection of a specific toll for motorists traveling to the main parts of lower Manhattan, in New York.
The Central Business District Toll Program will only work for vehicles traveling under 60th Street in Manhattan, the first plan of its kind in the United States.
The conceptual plan for congestion pricing was approved in 2019 and initially projected to be in place in 2021, but was delayed by the pandemic and a lack of guidance from federal regulators on the type of environmental review required.
Based on the final environmental review, the toll scheme is estimated to reduce the number of vehicles entering the district daily by up to 20% and help increase public transportation ridership.
WHEN WILL TOLL BEGIN FOR LOWER MANHATTAN?
It is estimated that New York City may begin to collect the toll from motorists traveling to major parts of Manhattan between March and April 2024.
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) must finalize toll rate adjustments, as well as discounts and exemptions for some drivers.
Toll rates would range from $9 to $23, but a 50% rate reduction is contemplated for nighttime drivers entering the district below 60th Street (coined the Central Business District) between 12 p.m. a.m. and 4 a.m.
Additionally, they would provide a 25% discount to low-income drivers after completing 10 trips in a calendar month; those 10 trips do not include overnight charges. For taxis and other rideshare operators, tolls will only be collected from those drivers once per day.
CRITICISM OF THE TOLL IN LOWER MANTHATTAN
A group of New Jersey lawmakers had written to New York Governor Kathy Hochul asking her to suspend implementation of the congestion pricing plan.
“New Jersey commuters already pay a toll of $17 when crossing the Holland and Lincoln tunnels, nearly double the toll paid on the bridges connecting Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx. As a result, this congestion pricing would double taxes on New Jerseyans and result in our constituents paying more than $40 just to go to work every day.”Wrote Rep. Mikie Sherrill and half a dozen other lawmakers, mentions Telemundo.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO DRIVE INTO MIDTOWN?
Although there is still no official statement from the MTA regarding how much the toll would cost to enter Midtown, according to univisionThis could be a fare of $23 for a rush hour ride in that city.
WHO WILL NOT PAY THIS TOLL?
univision He also informed that this toll payment will be applied to people with disabilities and emergency vehicles such as ambulances.