New York, Statue of Liberty (Photo: ww.maxpixel.net/Nyc-Statue-Of-Liberty-New-York-City-New-York-Ny-267948)
It will be a great first in the United States and it has every chance of being emulated, if it works. New York just got the go-ahead from the Federal Highway Administration to launch an anti-congestion congestion charge. Final approval, granted at the end of June, ensures that this new tax will be launched in 2024. Its purpose is to reduce traffic and pollution in Manhattan. And also to finance the improvement of public transport.
This type of toll has existed for several years in other cities around the world. Like in London, Singapore or Stockholm. The idea also regularly comes up on the table in Paris.
From 17 to 23 dollars per trip?
The program plans to charge motorists to enter Manhattan south of 60th Street, one of the city’s busiest shopping districts. And consequently one of the busiest in the world.
Nothing is known of the final rates that could be charged for this urban toll. There Metropolitan Transit Authority -which manages the metros, buses and suburban trains of the metropolis- last year studied a pricing proposal. A working document which then suggested a fare of US$23 (€21.50) during peak hours for a trip in Midtown and US$17 during off-peak hours.
The program should therefore encourage increased use of public transport. According to the authorities, it should result in a 10% reduction in the number of vehicles entering Manhattan. And generate the equivalent of a billion dollars for the improvement of public transport and to repair the road network.
For travelers going to New York, this toll will of course have a cost. According to an environmental assessment of the anti-congestion toll program published by the authorities, taxis and ride-sharing services should charge price increases up to 17 %. It could also contribute to reducing the presence of taxis in the city, already in sharp decline since the covid crisis. The iconic New York yellow cab could eventually become an endangered species…
Luc Citrinot
2023-07-03 07:38:30
#York #introduce #anticongestion #toll #Manhattan
