By Edwin Martinez
Mar 27, 2024, 18:48 PM EDT
After months of intense days of “tug of war,” finally this Wednesday the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) approved the toll costs, which from next summer drivers entering Manhattan will have to pay, as part of the call “congestion pricing,” approved by the Legislature in 2019.
With a very large majority, 11 members of the MTA Board against 1 who opposed the proposal (David Mack), gave way to the fares, set at $15 dollars for passenger cars entering below 60th Street in Manhattan between 5:00 am and 9:00 pm on weekdays, and from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm on weekends. Trucks must pay between $24 and $36 depending on size, and motorcycles, $7.50.
Now an educational campaign must be launched in which the public will be informed about the new charges and 60 days later the novelties will begin to be implemented, which although they seek to reduce polluting emissions from automobiles and in the process raise millions of dollars for transportation works , have also generated critical voices that do not view the plan favorably.
“I will vote no at this time. But first I would like to save the city. Don’t kill the goose that lays the eggs,” said Mack, the only member of the Board who spoke out against it on voting day.
The Governor of the state of New Jersey, Phil Murphy, ratified his opposition to the tolls set by the MTA, which he considers a very large extra cost for residents of his state who travel to the Big Apple, and announced actions against congestion pricing.
“This is far from over and we will continue to fight this blatant cash grab. The actions of the MTA are further proof that they are determined to break the law to balance their budget at the expense of New Jersey commuters,” said the state leader. “We will continue to take advantage of every option to protect residents on this side of the Hudson from an unfair tolling scheme that discriminates against New Jerseyans, especially low- and middle-income drivers.”
Vehicular traffic on portions of West Side Highway and FDR Drive is exempt from the toll, as are yellow school buses, most private buses and city-owned vehicles. Regional bus services and drivers earning less than $50,000 a year can also apply for a discount.
The Riders Alliance organization showed its support for the new rates and defended what was approved by the MTA as a way to gather resources to invest in improvements in the transportation system, which is why it requested that no measures be promoted that would reverse the plan or lawsuits. .
“Passengers won the congestion price and have defended it against five years of baseless attacks. “Millions of New Yorkers, commuters and visitors need and deserve reliable and accessible subways, cleaner air and emergency response, faster bus service and deliveries,” said Riders Alliance Director of Policy and Communications Danny Pearlstein. “Thanks to Governor Hochul’s sustained leadership, congestion pricing is the way forward and drivers who don’t want to pay the toll can join the vast majority of us in every neighborhood across the region who already use public transportation.” towards the central business district of Manhattan. It is time to end the culture war demagoguery, drop the demands and support the decongestion program.”