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New York’s Congestion Charge Faces Setback as Transportation Secretary Rescinds Policy

The city of New York’s efforts to mitigate car traffic on Manhattan Island encountered a significant setback with the recent decision by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to cancel the proposed congestion charge. This charge was designed to require drivers to pay a fee for entering areas below 60th Street.

In his announcement, Duffy expressed concerns regarding the fairness of imposing charges on drivers using city roads, pointing out that there are already existing tolls on bridges leading into Manhattan. He posited that the congestion charge leaves drivers without viable alternatives, seemingly overlooking the public transportation options available through the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s buses and subway services.

Further emphasizing his point, Duffy remarked on the potential inequity faced by individuals living in distant areas. He stated, “The toll program leaves drivers without any free highway alternative and instead takes more money from working people to pay for a transit system and not highways. It’s backwards and unfair.” Such statements suggest a broader critique of how urban transportation funding is structured.

Interestingly, Duffy also framed the congestion charge as potentially discriminatory toward lower-income individuals, arguing that all Americans should have equal access to New York City, regardless of financial status. “It shouldn’t be reserved for an elite few,” he asserted. Consequently, he rescinded the needed approval from the Department of Transportation to move forward with the implementation of this road toll.

Historically, congestion pricing initiatives often face opposition prior to their implementation. Cities like Stockholm and Singapore have dealt with similar sentiments, particularly from business owners who fear losing customers due to reduced vehicle access and parking availability. This reaction persists despite substantial evidence suggesting that such measures ultimately benefit local economies by enhancing livability and reducing congestion. Evidence indicates that residents typically appreciate the subsequent decrease in car traffic and pollution, in addition to the additional funding generated for urban projects, including public transport improvements.

New York’s journey toward alleviating vehicular congestion in its bustling streets has been complex and lengthy. Tolls have historically been imposed on drivers entering Manhattan via major bridges and tunnels, a practice stemming back to urban planner Robert Moses’s era. Although proposals to implement new tolls or restrictions have circulated for years, it was only in 2019 that the state legislature made significant strides towards establishing an official congestion pricing program.

Source
arstechnica.com