Toll scanners in New York City are set in place for the June 30th, 2024 launch that will potentially see the implantation of America’s first Congestion Pricing Plan. This plan is a project created by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to help ease the traffic build up in New York City. It is the first of its kind in the US. According to the MTA gridlock traffic in Manhattan is “bad for the economy, environment, and quality of life for people who live, work, and visit New York City – and it comes at a cost”. Their statistics show that 117 hours on average sitting in traffic every year. If you ask the members of the Central Business District Board, who created this plan it is a potential fix. They are hoping it will resolve issues with traffic and air pollution in NYC. According to the CBD, the traffic in Manhattan is only getting worse and the city is facing a dire need for financial rejuvenation to the transit system. Commuters across the city have been pushing back using the court system to delay this project. New Jersey Commuters have been even more diligent in their push back as well. Potentially New Jersey commuters would have to pay the NY/NJ Port Authority to cross the nearby tunnels and bridges such as the George Washington Bridge, Holland and Lincoln Tunnels to access the city and then pay an additional fee to enter at 61st street or below where the tolls will be enforced.
Currently during peak hours, the bridge and tunnels tolls for passenger and small commercial vehicles with two axles charge a toll of $17.63 while work trucks with dual rear wheels are charged a toll of $47.70. In addition to those rates the initial plan added a congestion toll of $15 for passenger and small commercial vehicles while and dual rear wheel work trucks would incur and additional $24-$36. Crossing credits of up to $5 for passenger vehicles and $12 for small truck are available to EZPass users.
As a result of the lawsuit filed by New Jersey in NJ vs U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration and the M.T.A. New Jersey will now receive a portion of the profits. In a Press Release on April 17th, 2024 , MTA Chairman stated to NBC Congestion Pricing Reporters “New Jersey will get a share of the money when Manhattan's congestion pricing plan goes into effect this summer.” But this is no comfort to commuters like Shereeda Maragh an Asset Administrator that drives from NJ to Midtown Manhattan for work. “I don’t like it; I think it’s unfair to charge people to drive into the city. We are relocating and moving into NJ for convenience” Her opinion and frustration was echoed by Brian Edwards a driver for the same company. Edwards’ work vehicle will fall under the status of a dual rear wheel vehicle. “My company is going to have to pay double just to bring the truck into the city, this is pure madness. It can’t work for us and we definitely will most likely be working mostly out of NJ from now on.” Additional towns like Staten Island are still in court over environmental issues with court hearings to proceed gearing up tp the June project plan launch date.
Opmerkingen