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This time it’s not an April Fool’s Day: after more than 10 years of hesitation, New York State has announced the adoption of a new congestion charge system in Manhattan from December 31, 2020. first in the United States! What is it about ? Any vehicle that will circulate in Manhattan south of 60th Street will then have to pay a tax, on the model of the “congestion charge” introduced in London in 2005.
This system, dubbed “Central Business District Tolling” is intended to decongest traffic in Manhattan, by dissuading motorists from passing through the heart of New York. The State of New York estimates that more than 730,000 vehicles congregate each day in the south of Manhattan… Note that the system will not apply for the two highways which skirt Manhattan, namely the West Side Highway, the along the Hudson River, and FDR Drive, along the East River.
15 billion dollars in 5 years!
The New York State Parliament has not yet decided on the amount of the tax but two figures are already circulating, by way of trial run. New York’s “congestion charge” could amount to around $ 12 per day for cars and $ 25 per day for trucks. A prohibitive price which animates the controversy among the inhabitants of Brooklyn, Queens and New Jersey who are used to traveling to Manhattan by car.
The State of New York announces for its part that the money collected will be used to modernize the New York subway network and supply the coffers of the MTA, the New York transport authority. According to New York State estimates, the new congestion charge is expected to bring in around $ 15 billion in 5 years. Enough to make the New York subway like new!
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