It’s a plan that could affect virtually everyone who drives into Manhattan. On Thursday, the controversial congestion pricing proposal got approval from a key committee – WCBSTV reports.
Getting the Congestion Mitigation Commission to greenlight a plan to charge drivers $8 to enter Manhattan below 60th Street, make taxis pay $1 for every fare that begins or ends in the central business district, and trucks to pay $21 (with an exemption for those with low emissions), is just the first step in raising an estimated $500 million a year for mass transit. Next, the City Council has to approve it.
Sources tell CBS 2 HD that many council members will withhold their support until they see what portion of the money they can get for their districts. Final approval will come from the legislature. Assembly Democrats representing the suburbs and outer boroughs whose residents will pay the congestion fee will play the key role.
Mayor Bloomberg issued the following statement:
The recommendations offered today by the Traffic Congestion Mitigation Commission will help us frame an important discussion as we consider thoughtful ways to improve our mass transit system, reduce congestion and keep our economy moving. The economic impetus behind congestion pricing is strong, as is the potential for cleaner air, improved public health, and a steady and predictable source of funding to support the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s (MTA) capital plan. The proposal would provide approximately $500 million dollars annually for critical transit improvements such as the Second Avenue Subway; bringing Metro North into Penn Station; building the Long Island Rail Road Third Track, as well as countless other small improvements. The specifics of the plan will be discussed and debated, but the profound implications for our entire transit system are clear. I look forward to working with Mayor Bloomberg, the New York City Council and the State Legislature in advancing this important initiative as it enters the next phase.
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14 Responses
would be very happy to avoid nyc just build another hwy outside of the city so we don’t have to add to the conjestion
There will probably be a lot more people taking public transportation just to avoid the $8. Will ride fares be raised because of this?
It will just make me more likely to avoid New York City, period. It’s already expensive to do anything there. If it’s more expensive, I’m more likely to stay out. In the short term, it will help New Jersey and make New Jersey a more attractive place to do business. In the long term, it will hurt the entire area.
Translation : We’ve realized that at least the present time, we can loot all of you citizens beyond your wildest imagination. Not only that, but we can also get congratulated for keeping the air clean! Isn’t it great? And theres nothing you can do about it! Aren’t you glad you voted for us?
I’m not from NY, but I can’t stand politicians
you can be assured that commutation fares on mass transportation will rise if this tax or toll is implemented. the suburbs r/e will go up in price in conjunction with whole new approach of limiting cars into manhattan.those neighborhoods that have mass transit available will do well. you will have to pay to visit your close ones who live in downtown ny.
Firstly, thamk you for the increase in tolls. from now on i’ll have an easier commute, less cars, and we can actually move on the highways!!
Secondly, good nite.
Don’t be fooled by flowery titles
congestion pricing=taxes
toll on brooklyn bridge=taxes
higher parking fees=taxes
It’s time for these billionaires to stop raising our taxes.
Is the $8 fee be all day ?
Wow what a shocker, at the time of this blog, noone mentioned anything about “oy baruch hashem less people going into a terrible, tummadika place etc. I guess wer’e rubbing off on you a tad.
Gishmak in lakewood
See, it is a good thing they still have bussing in Yerushalayim otherwise You would have to pay $8 to drive in and $6 to walk in.
Just a few questions:
Is Bloomberg offering family discounts? Is the $8 including tax? How much will people pay to be smuggled in. Are they going to build a border fence? Can i sue for discrimination if i can’t afford the $8? Is it possible to bargain with the guy at the tollbooth? Will there be easy pass? What if someone is born inside the zone does he still have to pay? Would they charge less if I was driving the succah mobile? Do roller blades count as a vehicle?
FillyFrum, you raise some intelligent, valid questions… but you omitted one: Can kollel guys receive 10% off?
Driving up to the Catskills from Brooklyn on Fridays is going to get much more expensive.
Is there an efficient route from Brooklyn (with regard to both tolls & time) that bypasses Manhattan?
Deliberately Esoteric:
Why should Kollel guys receive 10% off more than us hard working Ba’al habatim? I sweated and worked hard in college for eight years. Sadly, it didn’t help much. I was recently fired from my 9th job in the last two years. As usual, it was not my fault; I think and continue to think that i did a fine job pumping that gas, but i’m not going into that now.
if anything, it is me, not the kollel guys who need a 10% discount.
Wow! They used to say what the US does now the UK will do in 5 years. It looks like the roles are reversed. We got the congestion charge a few years back. By the way. It doesn’t work. traffic is just as bad as it was before it was introduced. This is just another way for the politicians to raise money from tax payers. What a legalized scam.