The congestion charge issue causes passionate discussions and slogans on both sides; those who support the collection of a toll for drivers entering the commercial districts of Lower Manhattan from 66th Street, and those who say that paying an extra 23 dollars will affect their pocket.
After interrupting the press conference, he was removed by two policemen, to later give the floor to those who are in favor of the toll.
“The four million riders of our Subway System and the 1.5 million New Yorkers who use the buses deserve to see the money we collect from congestion pricing be invested…in improving the system.”
According to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority or MTA, the collection of this toll will mean less traffic, better air quality, it will facilitate the movement of people, it will raise billions of dollars to improve the signals and stations of the MTA, Metro- North and Penn Station, directly benefiting users like Juan Diego Restrepo who uses the subway daily:
“Because it will reduce the number of cars that are entering the city, we are going to give other options to our streets for people who are driving so they can enter the city faster, faster trains, more cycle paths.”
The MTA would possibly charge $23 for a rush-hour ride downtown and $17 off-peak for E-ZPass holders.
Critics of the implementation of these fees also worry that the tolls could push more trucks onto the Cross Bronx Expressway, neither are taxi drivers, Lyft and Uber drivers happy.
Alia Soomro of the New York League of Conservation Voters notes, “Money from congestion charges will go into the MTA’s core budget, which will go directly to improving public transportation.”
Meanwhile, in the plenary session of the municipal council, in a public hearing they discussed the issue, listening to the benefits of the congestion charge, councilman Ralph Palladino opposes the toll, pointing out that it is a farce.
The collection of tolls would come into effect from the spring of next year, in fact, they are already working on the infrastructure for this purpose.
2023-08-21 14:56:00
#continue #evaluate #plan #due #traffic #congestion #Manhattan
