The MTA announced Friday that June 30 is the date that its controversial congestion pricing plan is set to go into effect.
Under this plan, drivers entering Manhattan below 61st Street will be subject to a daily fee of $15, with larger vehicles facing higher charges.
While ostensibly aimed at alleviating traffic congestion in Manhattan, the congestion pricing scheme is also anticipated to yield significant revenue, potentially exceeding a billion dollars, crucial for addressing the MTA’s infrastructural deficiencies.
Despite its intended benefits, the congestion pricing proposal has encountered vehement opposition from suburban leaders and other critics who view it as an onerous tax on drivers. The start date of the initiative remains uncertain, pending the resolution of ongoing legal disputes in court.
One such legal challenge comes from New Jersey, which has filed a lawsuit in federal court, arguing that the MTA’s assessment of the toll’s ramifications disregarded New Jersey drivers and failed to adequately address certain environmental concerns.
In addition to the opposition from New Jersey, the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) and Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossela have initiated a lawsuit seeking to annul the congestion pricing plan.
Expressing concerns over the health implications of congestion pricing, State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton criticized the MTA for disregarding the detrimental effects the plan could have on Staten Islanders, citing the potential negative impact on air quality.
State Senator Jim Skoufis echoed these sentiments, highlighting the absence of reliable public transit options for constituents in Orange County, particularly those who rely on their vehicles for essential activities such as teaching, law enforcement, and sanitation work.
Both Skoufis and Scarcella-Spanton diverged from their Democratic counterparts earlier in the year by voting against new nominees for the MTA board, reflecting their opposition to the congestion pricing initiative.
The UFT’s lawsuit is scheduled to be heard in court in mid-May, adding to the legal challenges confronting the implementation of congestion pricing.
Governor Kathy Hochul has maintained her support for the plan despite recent polling indicating that a majority of voters, approximately 63%, disapprove of it.
{Matzav.com}
all boroughs and NJ should implement the same toll for anyone entering
since when is the MTA the owner of Manhattan? it belongs to drivers with US license
It is “highway robbery” when streets are clogged with traffic of vehicles getting a free ride on the backs of the public at large, causing so many to lose time in traffic, and unhealthy and dangerous pollution. On the other hand, a plan that liberates us from such a mess is a salvation.
The vehicles belong to the free public at large. The DOT anti vehicles took away all the driving lanes and caused all this congestion. When you make 3 driving lanes into 1, you’ve created the congestion that you’re complaining about! I’ve been driving all over the city for the last 40 years. This congestion was created by lib politicians who are anti progress. Let’s go back to the horse and buggy. Vehicles are progress. How do you propose running a real city with a real economy with real people without vehicles?
There are many more cars around than forty years ago. Then, maybe there was one car per family. Now every person needs their own vehicle, and the vehicles themselves have grown larger. During the COVID-29 pandemic era, more people got their own vehicles too. Also, the percentage that are small sedans as in the past is down a lot. Now there are many more vans, SUV’s, etc., which are larger, take up more space, etc.
The above are facts. You can have your own opinion, but not your own facts.
According to you, that the problems are due to liberal politicians and policies, which exist to some degree in places like NYC, why are there terrible traffic problems in places like Lakewood, Five Towns, etc., where the governments are not liberal like NYC?
The answer is that there are too many vehicles on the road. There is no chiyuv for everyone to have their own car/SUV/minivan.