Solution to traffic chaos?: New York wants to introduce a toll of 15 dollars per day

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People honk, curse and brake: 700,000 vehicles crowd the streets of Manhattan every day. Anyone driving through downtown New York will therefore have to pay a toll of 15 dollars (13 francs) per day in the future, writes the New York Times.

To reach Times Square, Chelsea or Soho, cars, motorcycles and trucks have to dig deep into their pockets. The toll zone extends from 60th Street to Battery Park. This is expected to bring $1 billion annually into the city’s coffers. This in turn is intended to improve the metro network and bus network.

New York is the first city in the US to rely on a toll system. “We’ve seen it work elsewhere in the world, and now it’s becoming concrete,” said Carl Weisbrod, chairman of urban development. It is a big step for the region.

Depending on vehicle, up to $23

The compensation proposal has been discussed for years. The transport company submitted the concrete proposal on Wednesday and the final decision is expected to be made on Thursday.

If the toll is accepted, it will come into effect from May 2024. Prices vary depending on the vehicle. Motorcyclists pay $7.50, trucks pay $24 or $36 depending on size, and cars pay $15. No exceptions have been planned for Uber and taxi drivers so far.

The goal is not just to protect the environment. Busy streets also need to be illuminated. Because traffic frustrates drivers. In 2021, the time spent in traffic jams per driver per year was 102 hours, making the city of 8.8 million people one of the most congested in the world.

The proposal evokes mixed feelings. New York is already one of the most expensive cities in the world – now there will be even more costs. Authorities had proposed fees between $9 and $23, but the trucking company opted for a middle ground.

New Jersey sues

After all: from 9 p.m., the toll for central New York is expected to drop by 75 percent. And: Low-income drivers should receive the daily toll at half price. But that doesn’t satisfy everyone.

Lawmakers in New Jersey are suing the federal government that approved the toll plan, saying the tolls would place an unnecessary financial burden on residents. New York employs 400,000 people from New Jersey, many of whom drive into the city. The process is still ongoing. Despite the lawsuit, a final decision will be made on Thursday whether New York will become the first city in the US to charge tolls. (jwg)

Source: Blick