congestion pricing is on the way
CONGESTION PRICING
How Does Congestion Pricing Work? What to Know About the Toll System Taking Manhattan
The idea’s been kicked around by politicians and transit advocates for years but never tried in the U.S. Here’s a guide on what it all means, whom it will affect — and when we may actually see it in New York.
BY RACHEL HOLLIDAY SMITH AND JOSE MARTINEZ
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY JOSE MARTINEZ
For decades, New York leaders have played with the idea of tolling car traffic in the city’s central core.
Now, as people and traffic slowly return to Manhattan’s center and climate change keeps punching the city in the gut, the push for so-called congestion pricing — to help reduce traffic-related emissions and raise money for mass transit — is gathering steam in earnest.
The idea was born in New York, then adopted in several overseas cities, but has never been tried anywhere in the United States. A bill from Albany gave New York’s plan the green light in 2019, but a lack of action by the Federal Highway Administration under then-President Donald Trump delayed the program.
As traffic surges again, a critical player for the concept, Gov. Kathy Hochul, has signaled her full support for the idea — despite waffling on the idea earlier on the campaign trail — and so has Mayor Eric Adams. The Biden administration is behind the plan, too.
more:
https://www.thecity.nyc/2021/9/15/22...m-in-manhattan
CONGESTION PRICING
MTA Eyes Congestion Pricing Toll of Up to $23 Per Vehicle Trip into Manhattan
Transit officials say more pros than cons lie ahead as they cruise toward launching fees for drivers entering the city’s traffic-clogged core.
BY JOSE MARTINEZ AND RACHEL HOLLIDAY SMITH
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SHANTEL DESTRA
The years-long effort to toll vehicles in the most congested parts of Manhattan as a way to bankroll billions of dollars in mass-transit improvements and reduce traffic is no longer stuck in neutral.
New York’s system would be the first time tolls would be used in the United States to reduce traffic-related emissions.
Today officials released the long-delayed “environmental assessment” of the proposed Central Business District Tolling Program — touting how it could potentially cut congestion coming into the core of Manhattan by nearly 20%, improve air quality, boost bus service reliability and increase mass transit usage.
The document also outlined what the program may cost drivers entering the toll zone: between $5 and $23 per trip, depending on the time of day and the type of vehicle.
... the program that aims to fund $15 billion of subway, bus and commuter rail improvements as part of the MTA’s 2020 to 2024 Capital Plan now appears to be on track, with virtual public hearings set for later this month.
“Bottom line: this is good for the environment, good for public transit and good for New York and the region,” Janno Lieber, MTA chairperson and CEO, said in a statement.
more:
https://www.thecity.nyc/2022/8/10/23...g-toll-details