Manhattan set to charge a congestion toll, a US first
Marie Donlon | April 03, 2019
Manhattan, the central borough of New York City, will soon charge motorists a congestion toll. Plans are to implement the toll by December 2020.
The measure, which is meant to reduce traffic congestion, cut pollution and encourage use of mass transit, was passed by state lawmakers as part of the state budget on April 1.
Initial plans are that a toll, which is expected to be more than $10 per car, will be applied to those opting to drive their own cars into the city below 60th Street, just south of Central Park. Although still yet to be determined, part of the proposal suggests that license plate readers could be used to enforce the toll and bill those vehicles.
Similarly, other details of the scheme still need to be worked out by a committee called the Traffic Mobility Review Board. That panel will be tasked with setting toll prices as well as setting possible exemptions and credits for qualifying drivers. The revenue stream anticipated from the plan will be used in part for modernizing the current subway system as well as bus services.
Already in effect in other cities across the globe, including London, Singapore and Stockholm, congestion tolls have resulted in reduced traffic, improved air quality and an increased revenue stream to support public transportation.
Yet concerns are that in Manhattan, motorists will opt for absorbing a daily toll or will instead opt for services like Uber and Lyft, instead of taking the subway, thereby eliminating any potential environmental gains to be had from tolling motorists.
Explaining his support for the scheme, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said: "I endorsed congestion pricing because I knew — if done right — it was our best hope at getting the trains moving and ending the suffering our riders face every day. This budget represents a giant step in the right direction. With a guaranteed lockbox for New York City riders, fairness for the outer boroughs, and exemptions for people experiencing hardships, I am confident this dedicated revenue stream will go a long way toward fixing the MTA's broken subway system."
Money grab - " . . . exemptions for people experiencing hardships."
The bridge tolls in NYC are outta sight. And now this. Just another reason to avoid NY and NYC like the plague.
So why is this a motorist problem to pay for what the city wanted initially. They needed the fuel sales, the consumer buying cars to keep the industry going and the city gaining taxes from parking.
I agree, use the trains and buses where possible, but I would suggest a one day stoppage. Just no one goes to work with a car. Just use the trains and buses and see what happens to revenue on parking. The trains will be over loaded along with the buses. The roads empty, a day less of pollution, which is good, and a huge deficit in revenue will be gained by the city.
I find nowadays, the folks who take back 'power' from the authorities are the French, while everyone else just goes along and gives away their freedoms. Bicycles are the answer, a few million bicycles will do the trick and a stress free work force, wind in the hair, tears in the eyes, fresh air and no taxes to pay anyone. And a healthy city work force and big smiles. and a bonus of no obesity in the population. Problem solved for all.
Shopping and baby too.
In reply to #2
In response to your concern, Portland Oregon has started bicycle registration fees and will probably at some point start charging tolls or user fees on bicycles.
Conservation of revenue.
In reply to #3
This is a Monty Python sketch I am sure.
https://www.youtube.
In reply to #4
Ah! So you expect them to start charging user fees for space travel?
In reply to #2
The best way to take back power is at the ballot box.
In reply to #5
Hmm! Maybe they should use the trains and buses...
https://www.youtube.
In reply to #7
In Portland the main issue is bicyclists challenging right of way with city busses, cement trucks and light rail trains. The bicyclists typically lose, but it doesn't keep them from trying.
In reply to #8
I pondered your statement and found it odd, and it raised a question about what is the difference in the USA that is not found in EU countries. (No, the UK is not included here for they are just as daft and disrespectful of of buses and lorries over there).
Why in Holland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany and many parts of Africa do cyclist know not to take this chance with something bigger than one on a bike?
Is this a handover of superiority from the UK (many moons ago), or a home grown idea that comes with 'going green'. Bicycle, truck, bus? It sounds pretty much like trying to kill a fire breathing dragon with a plastic teaspoon.
In Salima, Malawi, there are thousands of cyclists, the stalwart bicycle is used for transporting everything, including alive livestock and people, to chickens and cattle feeds, yet, they will not take on a truck or small engine propelled vehicle. What is it that makes these Portland or other city cyclist so brazen? I can only think, the answer lies in their cornflakes.
Perhaps it is to do with less rushing about like headless chickens and some respect for life, or, how quickly a cycle stops versus a cement lorrie or tram.
https://www.youtube.
In reply to #11
The City of Portland has been pushing a campaign for several years called "Vision Zero" that is intended to reduce pedestrian and bicyclist injuries and deaths due to accidents to zero during the calendar year. So far they have reduced automobile speed limits to 25 mph city wide and have flag cans on street corners. The flag can is an interesting approach. A 5 gallon white plastic bucket is placed at a crosswalk and pedestrians are to take a flag and wave it wildly as they step off the curb so that motorists will see them. The traffic regulations have been revised so motorists are required to stop for any pedestrian on the sidewalk at a crosswalk, which makes bus stops very confusing places. It is unclear whether bicyclists are supposed to be classed as motorists or pedestrians since they are treated as both.
A measure of the success of the program is that in the first 6 days of the year, there were only five fatalities, but two were pedestrians wearing earbuds and hoodies who got biffed by light rail trains while on the railroad tracks.
When I was a kid we had it drummed into us that at a crosswalk you stop, look both ways and cross if the way was clear. They don't teach that any more. About four years ago I had one pedestrian jump off the curb and run across the road to get in front of me to prevent me from making a right turn on red after stop at a traffic light all the while yelling that I had to stop for him.
The main issue, I think, is a sense of entitlement.
I also think that Darwin works.
In reply to #12
I thought you were putting us on . . . .
Next they will have everyone hold hands when crossing the street.
I guess common sense steeped in self-preservation is a lost art.
In reply to #13
Python Monty strike again...
In reply to #14
Life is truly stranger than fiction . . .
In reply to #13
Can you sing,"Kumbaya"?
In reply to #16
Nope. But if you come by here, I'll play it for you on a boy scout.
In reply to #17
Mighty brave of you given the current child welfare laws.
In reply to #18
I really would not know what these laws are; however, one of the best expressions I have come across recently: "It's always those fools with no magic, trying to tell you what to do with yours."
In reply to #7
In San Francisco back in the '80's, that used to be the bike messengers. I guess everyone's in on the gig now.
Thanks for the video. Refreshes my memory as to why I avoid big cities whenever possible. I'm too old for that cr4p. No patience for all the impatience.
In reply to #9
Just as a side note, I once ran a guy over. He was wearing camouflage clothing. The judge dismissed the case. I told the judge the camouflage worked very well, I never saw him at all!
I still cycle, mostly back roads. But then I have a rare gift, I call it 'common sense'. If the government finds out I have that, they will take it away for sure. I am sure it is outlawed and banned by Article 50.3.6 and EU6486 GotNun. For all our advancements, we are not too bright.
In reply to #10
Common sense ain't elite enough 'fer these new fellers.
In reply to #20
Thank God I have a sense of humour. A very essential part of living these days.The world has become a joke.
The whole world is a bit strange, except thee and me, and I'm not so sure about thee.