Do You Think a $15 Traffic Toll Is Reasonable?

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Here’s the Scoop

New York City is on the verge of becoming the first US city to impose congestion tolls on drivers entering its central business district, with transit officials approving a $15 fee for most motorists headed to the busiest part of Manhattan. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board has given the green light to the congestion pricing plan, set to take effect in June.

The board rejected requests for exceptions from dozens of groups of commuters, authorizing a $15 toll on most commuter passenger vehicles entering Manhattan south of 60th Street during daytime hours. Tolls will be higher for larger vehicles and lower for late-night entries and motorcycles.

Supporters claim the new tolls will encourage public transport use, reduce congestion, speed up public buses and emergency vehicles, decrease pollution, and raise funds for subway system improvements. Critics argue the fees will burden workers and increase the prices of goods driven to the city by truck.

Commuters from other states and boroughs already pay around $15 in bridge and tunnel tolls, with the congestion fee coming on top of that. Daily parking costs in the congestion zone range from $25 to $50.

New York’s plan faces lawsuits from small business owners and the state of New Jersey, demanding more thorough environmental assessments. State officials argue the plan will cost its commuters millions but won’t fund improvements in New Jersey transit agencies, even as it funds public transit in New York and Connecticut.

If the plan survives these legal challenges, New York will become the first US city to implement a congestion pricing scheme, following in the footsteps of London, Stockholm, Milan, and Singapore.

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