NEW YORK — New York has acquired a vital federal approval for its first-in-the-nation plan to cost large tolls to drive into probably the most visited components of Manhattan, a part of an effort to cut back site visitors, enhance air high quality and lift funds for the town’s public transit system.
The program might start as quickly because the spring of 2024, bringing New York City into line with locations like London, Singapore, and Stockholm which have carried out related tolling applications for extremely congested enterprise districts.
Under one in all a number of tolling eventualities into consideration, drivers could possibly be charged as a lot as $23 a day to enter Manhattan south of sixtieth Street, with the precise quantity nonetheless to be determined by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which is overseeing the long-stalled plan.
The congestion pricing plan cleared its ultimate federal hurdle after getting accredited by the Federal Highway Administration, a spokesperson for New York Gov. Kathy Hochul mentioned on Monday.
“With the green light from the federal government, we look forward to moving ahead with the implementation of this program,” Hochul, a Democrat, mentioned in an announcement.
People headed into Manhattan already pay large tolls to make use of lots of the bridges and tunnels connecting throughout the Hudson, East and Harlem Rivers. The particular tolls for the southern half of Manhattan would come on high of these present prices.
The new tolls are anticipated to generate one other $1 billion yearly, which might be used to finance borrowing to improve the subway, bus and commuter rail programs operated by the MTA.
The state Legislature accredited a conceptual plan for congestion pricing again in 2019, however the coronavirus pandemic mixed with an absence of steering from federal regulators stalled the challenge.
The plan has been sharply opposed by officers in New Jersey, the place individuals certain for Manhattan by automotive might see prices of commuting skyrocket. Taxi and automotive service drivers have additionally objected, saying it might make fares unaffordable. Some MTA proposals have included caps on tolls for taxis and different for-hire automobiles.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”