Posted on Tuesday 8 April 2008
Update: Despite passing a City Council vote earlier this month, New York’s proposed $8 congestion charged has been axed after it was voted against by state legislators yesterday. Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver in Albany announced the plan wouldn’t be taken up because it was deemed an unfair tax on middle-class commuters who are forced to drive due to inadequate public transport.
Original: Though a bargain by any Londoner’s standards, the new charge will hit New Yorkers entering Manhattan where it hurts in an effort to help cut back on downtown traffic and pollution. However, the measure still has to face consideration by the New York state legislature, which has final say over the city’s ability to tax motorists.
Backed by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the congestion charge passed a City Council vote 30-20. The proposal would tax drivers entering Manhattan south of 60th Street on weekdays between 6am and 6pm, exempting disabled drivers.
Last year a similar tax, although priced at only $4 for passenger cars, was rejected after a poll showed that 61 percent of New York City residents and nearly half of Manhattan dwellers were against the idea. Despite the resistance in the past, it seems things have changed. At a news conference following the vote Mayor Bloomberg said, “The people of New York City have spoken.”
But even if the state legislature approves the measure, it will not take effect until the end of next March at the earliest. Council Speaker Christine Quinn said, “This is a bold decision… which will send a message to the state Legislature that we are sick and tired of our streets being clogged with traffic.” But not all New Yorkers feel as she does. Mayor Bloomberg recognized this fact, but countered, “There will always be somebody who doesn’t like things, but they will be breathing cleaner air, they will be taking mass transit, and congestion will be less.”
His response hints at an underlying reason for the congestion charge: enacting it makes New York City eligible for $354 million in federal funding to finance a mass transit system upgrade that New York City’s Metropolitan Transit Authority was unable to afford. It is hoped that the transit system upgrades would further alleviate gridlock and pollution in the city center.
As the trend of major cities enacting congestion charges grows, one has to wonder which city is next.
i can hear all of the complaining already. i maintain, anyone driving a car for personal use in that area, doesn’t take a second look at a 10 dollar bill fly away in the wind, let alone make the effort to retrieve it. all this will be is another drop in the bucket (or out of the bucket, i guess).
How would this be enforced? What is the process for paying the congestion charge and how would they tell if you haven’t paid it?
How does giving the city a bunch of money solve the congestion problem, or any other problem for that matter?
They Are Prob Going To Have An 8 Dollar Charge On Williamsburg Bridge Wich Connects Western Brooklyn To Downtown Manhattan Wich Will Have More Negative Effects Than Positive , Many Business wich Function Through this area will be Be Hit Hard And The Livery And Taxi services That function Throughout these areas will becone extinct unless the paying customers are willing to absorb the fee so just another scam to get more of the taxpayers money like the article says there are underlying reasons for the charge and i quote fritz “How does giving the city a bunch of money solve the congestion problem, or any other problem for that matter? ” P.S. Chris is an Idiot driving shouldnt be a priviledge for the rich everyone should be able to FREELY!!!! I.E. FreeWill
It’s because driving is looked on as a right and not a privilege that we have Kias and Daewoos cluttering the road. What’s next, Tata’s $2,000 minicar? Why buy one $12,000 Pontiac when you can buy six Tatas!
To the gramatically challenged Delby, you sir, are the idiot.
Read Chris’ comment again extra slowly and you’ll see what he is trying to say…
My only fear is that this congestion charge will spread like wildfire once it takes root…
And so it begins… Bloodsucking parasites like Red Ken and his new accolite Michael Bloomberg are out for our money. How soon will your local parasite copy his pals in London and New York? I can only hope I die long before this highway robbery (never a better term) reaches its logical conclusion where cars are tracked by satellite and are charged by the mile.
the congestion charge will probably be paid for the same way it works in london u call they charge u. they know exactly what ur driving and everything scene it in a video. probably somekinda satilite system behind it all
This is such bullshit. They need 354 million in federal funding for a “massive transportation” overhaul?!?!? 354 million won’t accomplish anything in NYC, lol.
Can’t wait to get on the already overcapacity subway next year if this passes!!!
Well, it didn’t pass. Just goes to show that so far, people here won’t put up with this c**p…
nice job deffending your buddy, Gus very admirable anyways..
im glad it didnt pass as i bet many Newyorkers are as well.. at least Albany has enough sense to see how unfair of a tax to the middle class these congestion charges are….