Congestion pricing plan to allocate funds for MTA

So far, there are no details about how much the new tolls could cost drivers per trip.

News 12 Staff

Mar 29, 2019, 2:06 PM

Updated 1,852 days ago

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo admits it’s a tax on drivers, but says congestion pricing could save the city's subway system.
More than 700,000 vehicles enter the Manhattan Central Business District every day. They come and go from the east and west, on the various bridges and tunnels south of 61st Street.
Gov. Cuomo admits it's a problem, but says congestion pricing is the solution.
What is congestion pricing? If you want to enter Manhattan south of 61st Street, drivers will have to pay a toll, no matter how you intend to get there. The bridges and tunnels will all be cashless toll roads with the goal of raising $15 billion over the next few years.
Some are asking, why now? After all, the city's 2018 mobility report shows that motor vehicle traffic into the area in question has declined significantly since the year 2000.
Gov. Cuomo says he wants to use that money to subsidize the subway system. It's part of a 10-point plan put forth by Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio. It says the revenue will be used to “provide a funding source necessary to ensure the capital needs of the MTA can be met, with priority given to the subway system."
Cuomo claims it's really a tax on out-of-state drivers, not New Yorkers, but the message is not going over well for folks in the tri-state area who do commute by car or truck each day and for businesses that make deliveries.
So far, there are no details about how much the new tolls could cost drivers per trip.
State lawmakers could vote to enact the legislation as soon as Monday.
The Democratic-led state assembly and senate are expected to vote in favor of congestion pricing.


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