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The Toll Story: NYC Approves Congestion Plan Print E-mail
Written by Samantha Hulkower   
Wednesday, 02 April 2008

Driving in New York City could get a lot more aggravating -- though more environmentally-friendly -- as the city council voted 30-20 on Monday approving Mayor Michael Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan.

The plan still has to pass in Albany, but if it does, Bloomberg said drivers could be paying more by next year. Many of New York's power brokers have been on record in favor of congestion pricing, including the influential Republican Senate majority leader and New York Gov. David Patterson, who reportedly told Bloomberg he "had to tell" the Democratic Assembly Speaker, who is not thrilled with the idea.

We just hope that Patterson doesn't have to steamroll anyone in Albany to get this passed. Supposedly, the city's garage owners have been fighting the plan because they are afraid fewer cars in the city will translate into less cars in their garage. We think that's insane, as will anyone who has tried to find a spot on the street between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., will have to pay $8 with their EZ pass and $9 without one. Drivers paying with an EZ pass may get credit for whatever tolls they paid that day entering the city if they are coming from New Jersey, since Garden State residents already have to pay $8 for the privilege of entering the city by tunnel anyway.

Bloomberg was inspired by London's successful congestion pricing program that has reportedly reduced vehicles entering the city at peak times by 26 percent. Fewer cars means faster buses and less exhaust from idling vehicles stuck in traffic.

Brits must pay £8 (nearly $16) to drive into London, which sounds like a pretty good incentive to leave the car at home. London's Mayor has also suggested additional fees for Hummers and other gas guzzlers, while low-zero emission vehicles would get a break. We think that is exactly the sort of incentive people need to lay off the Escalades and embrace hybrid cars.

NYC will receive over $350 million in federal grants for mass transit improvements if the plan does pass the state legislature. We realize that money is sorely needed to fix subways, add buses and create the 2nd Ave line, but hope some if it goes towards hosing down the subway platforms. We think that if you are going to have to be crammed underground with all the extra people inspired to leave the car at home, the least the city can do is try and reduce the smell of pee.

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written by Rob Howard, April 04, 2008
I'm pretty sure this version is less strict about where cars enter Manhattan. The initial plan had the toll in place for cars entering somewhere in the 80s or 90s, not 60th St.
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